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A MEMORIAL AND 




OF THE COUNTIES OF 




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Coqtainiqg a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast frorr] tr]e Earliest 

Period of its Occupancy to t\\e Preseqt Time, together with Glinpses of its 

Prospective Future; with Profuse Illustrations of its Beautiful Sceqery, 

Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Err]iqent Men, and 

Biographical Mentioq of rqaqy of its Pioneers and 

also of Promiqeqt Citizens of to-day, 



) 



By Mrs. Yda Addis Storke, 



'A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy 
to be remembered with pride by remote de3oen3ant3."— Macaulay. 



O H XC J± O-O: 

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 

1891. 








A' °^rZ<-'' fi> 

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SANTA BARBARA REGION. 
In General — 

First Visit of Whites 9 

First Exploration and Founding of the Mis- 
sions 10 

An Invasion 17 

Miscellaneous 18 

War with Mexico 24 

Dress and Manners 26 

Dana on Santa Barbara 29 

Pioneers and their Descendants 31 

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 

In General — 

Boundary 38 

Exports 39 

Items of Interest, 1850-'90 39 

Description 52 

Land Grants 54 

The Channel Islands 56 

Climate 58 

City op Santa Barbara 62 

Haley Survey 63 

Miscellaneous Items 66 

Public Library 67 

Natural History Society 68 

Fraternal Organizations 69 

Churches 70 

Banks 71 

Court-House 72 

Jail 72 

County Hospital 73 

Railroads 73 

Water Supply 74 

Electric Light 74 

Minor Items 74 

The Mission 75 

Schools 76 

Medical Profession 79 

Bench and Bar 79 

Crimes 86 

The Press 89 

Eastern Portion op the County 90 

Montecito 91 

Hot Springs 93 

Summerland 93 

Carpenteria 94 

La Patera , 96 



Goleta 96 

The Hollister Place 98 

The Western Portion op the County 99 

Lompoc 100 

Ranchos 103 

Los Alamos Valley 105 

Santa Ynes Valley 108 

Ballards • 110 

Ranchos 110 

Santa Maria Valley 112 

Ranchos 114 

The Lost Woman 116 

Resources 121 

Hogs 121 

Bee Farming 121 

Fishery 122 

Minerals 123 

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 

In General — 

Origin and Description 126 

Organization 129 

Annals, 1851-'90 130 

Land Grants 134 

Topography 137 

Soil 138 

Climate 140 

The Coast Region 143 

Coast Towns 143 

Cambria 144 

Morro 145 

Town of San Luis Obispo 146 

Arroyo Grande 150 

Other Points — 

Newsom's Hot Sulphur Springs 153 

Pizmo Beach 154 

Los Berros 154 

Nipomo 154 

Eastern Portion op the County 154 

San Miguel 155 

Paso Robles Hot Springs 156 

Templeton 157 

Rancho Santa Margarita 158 

The Southern Border 160 

Salinas Valley R50 

The Painted Rock 161 

Monte Diablo Mountains 161 

Creeks 161 

Ranchos. .....,,..,,.., 162, 



IV 



CONTENTS. 



Resources— 

Agriculture 163 

Horticulture and Viticulture 164 

Mineral Resources 166 

Bituminous Rock 170 

Dairying 171 

Exports 173 

Bench and Bar 174 

Miscellaneous — 

County Officers 177 

Postoffices 177 

Schools l'<8 

Light-House 179 

Railroads 179 

The Breakwater Question 179 

Fraternal Organizations 180 

The Pivss 181 

VENTURA COUNTY. 

Early settlement 183 

Government and Business 184 

Division from Santa Barbara 186 

Organization and Annals 188 

General Description — 

Water Supply 195 

Timber Supply 196 

San Nicolas Island 197 

Geology 198 

Climate 199 

Churches of VenPura 201 

Public Schools 201 

Eastern Portion op Ventura — 

Santa Clara Valley 203 

Rancho La Colonia 203 

Hueneme 203 

Guadalasca Rancho 206 

Las Posas Rancho 206 

Simi Rancho 207 

Rancho Tapo 208 

Springville 208 

Calleguas Rancho 208 

Rancho El Conejo 209 

Newbury Park 209 

Timberville 210 

Central Portion op Ventura 210 

Rancho San Miguel 211 

Rancho Santa Paula y Saticoy 211 

Town of Santa Paula 212 

Saticoy 216 

New Jerusalem 218 



Montalvo 218 

The More Murder 219 

Rancho Sespe 223 

Fillmore 223 

Bardsdale 224 

An Earthly Paradise, Piru City 224 

Rancho Camulos 225 

Rancho San Francisco ~'25 

Western Portion op Ventura 226 

Rancho Canada San Miguelito 226 

Rancho Canada Larga o'Verdo 2v!6 

Ojai Rancho 226 

The Ojai Valley 227 

Santa Ana Valley , 228 

Rancho Santa Ana 228 

San Buenaventura 229 

Its Institutions 230 

Floriculture 232 

County Hospital 233 

Court-House 233 

Jail 233 

Banks 234 

Churches 234 

The Press 240 

Bench and Bar 241 

Resources — 

Agriculture 241 

Horticulture 245 

The Year's Exports 249 

Stock-Raising 249 

Bee-Keeping 252 

Mining 252 

Mineral Oils 256 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Residence of the first Governor of California. 

Frontispiece 

Mission Santa Barbara 12 

Mission San Miguel i 6 

View of Santa Barbara. 62 

View of Ventura 229 

San Buenaventura Mission 229 

Residence of A. S. Pietra 261 

Drying Prunes in the Upper Ojai Valley 345 

Orange Orchard in the Ojai Valley 345 

Myron Angel 441 

P. J. Barber 553 

J. B. Shaw 633 

W. W. Hollister 649 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



Abernethy Bros 366 

Allen, B. G 302 

Alvord, J. B. 344 

Anderson, A. L 522 

Anderson, S. D 333 

Angel, Myron . . .441 

Anthony, C.J 602 

Anthony, G. T 603 

Arata Bros 356 

Argabrite, J. L 663 

Armstrong, W. M 508 

Arnold, C. R... 332 

Amok], E, F... , 454 



Arnold, H. H 332 

Arnold, Leroy 578 

Arnold, M. H 545 

Atmore, Mathew 329 

Atwood, E. A 353 

Austin, W. H 607 

Avila, J. V 628 

Axtell, J. D 560 

Bailard, John 282 

Baker, F. W 369 

Baker, H. W 536 

Ball, Elbridge 416 



Ball, John 609 

Ballard, E. B 264 

Ballou, S. D 648 

Barber, P. J 553 

Bard, C. L 487 

Bard, T. R 471 

Barker, J. A 677 

Barker, J. L 307 

Barkla, J. S 412 

Barker, Wm 387 

Barnard, A. D 498 

Barrows, F. P 585 

Barrows, Thomas 519 



CONTENTS. 



Barry, E. S 298 

Bartlett, C.G 3'i8 

Battles, R. E 393 

Bean, E. P 669 

Beattie, James 382 

Beckett, J. F 408 

Beckwith, F. J 313 

Beebee, W. L 358 

Benn, Wm 528 

Bennett, E. M 642 

Bennett, Fayette 461 

Bennett, J. K 505 

Bennett, W. C 354 

Bennison, H. G 576 

Benton, A. F 483 

Bish, Harrison 462 

Bilher, Tyler 623 

Blackburn, D. D 580 

Blanchard, Nathan W 459 

Blochman, L. E 409 

Blood, J. A 477 

Blumberg, A. W 292 

Boeseke, A. J 521 

Boll, Michael 518 

Bonestel, C. D 449 

Booth, A. R 347 

Borchard, John 560 

Borland, W. E 626 

Boronda, E 482 

Boyd, A. M 356 

Bradley, Charles 609 

Bradley, John 322 

Bradley, Paul 419 

Branch, F. Z 421 

Branch, J. F 605 

Brewster, J. C 455 

Bridge, J. H. & P.. E 269 

Broughton, R.J 491 

Brousjhton, W. W 371 

Browne, A. W 384 

— Buell, A. W 332 

Bunce, I. H 353 

Burdick, H. J 606 

Burgess, F. P 606 

Byers, P. L 342 

Call, B. B 654 

Call, S. J 645 

Camarillo, A 5S4 

Canet, A 404 

Canon, W. S 515 

Carle, O. C 557 

Carnes, H. S 481 

Carr, Robert 425 

Carter, C. E 431 

Cass, James 316 

Casteel, Jesse 610 

Castro, .1. C 658 

Cavanaugh, T 669 

Cawelti, John 594 

Chaffee, W. S 484 

Charlebois, P 647 

Cheal, James 523 

Chediston House 523 

Chiesa, F 496 

Clark, C. II 474 

Clark, II. F 467 

Clark, I. M 438 

Clark, Thomas 296 

Cleveland, E. M 548 



Cody, N. T 547 

Coffin, G. W. 512 

Colin, Simon 589 

Coll, Jose 5.'0 

Collins, J. S 492 

Conaway, J. A 316 

Connelly, A 578 

Cook, F. E 60i 

Cok, R. D 514 

Cook, VV. C 300 

Cotton, A. R 650 

Cox, A. W 407 

Crabb, Alonzo 593 

Crane Bros 282 

Crane, G. G 304 

Crane, H. G 562 

Crane, J. L 542 

Cravens, T. A 294 

Crawford, J. M 237 

Cummings, J. F 566 

Cuanane, VV. B 272 

Currier, C. J 289 

Dalidet, Jr., P. H 666 

Dally, H.J 533 

Dana, D. A 419 

Dana, H. C 424 

Dana, W. G 569 

Davidson, B 403 

Davis, Charles 570 

Davis, F. C 639 

Day, J. A 622 

Decker, C. H 323 

De la Guerra, Emanuel 654 

De la Guerra, E. B 654 

De la Rosa, Jose" 568 

Dennis, A. C 522 

De Rome Bros 392 

Dimmick, L. N 532 

Dimock, Joseph 417 

Dimock, H. C 446 

Donlon Bros 580 

Donlon, Jchn 5-8 

Dormer, & Challenor 603 

Douglas, Cyrus 409 

Draper, J. B 614 

Dubbers, Heury 371 

Dunham, F. H 318 

Duval, C. S 284 

Duval, E A 541 

Dyer, A. H 4.'0 

Dyer, Wallace 417 

Ealy, R. J 318 

Earll, F. A 352 

Earls, J. F 436 

Eastin, L. F 646 

Eddy, W. M 594 

Elliott, Nathan 863 

Emerson & Co 3-12 

Estrada, Joaquin 672 

Estrada, Nicolazo. 437 

Evans, James 509 

Evans, W. A 397 

Exline, Levi :i76 

Faeh, Ambrose 378 

Fagan, Michael 335 

Fandrey, Joseph 486 



Farrelly, P. F 357 

Faulkner, C. P 582 

Faulkner, G.W 559 

Fernald, Charles 674 

Fernandez, E 673 

Field, F. F 619 

Fisher, I. K 534 

Fisk, Rufus 575 

Fluegler, Emil 666 

Flynn, Michael 410 

Ford. H. C 485 

Forrester, L. L 436 

Forrester, P. A 653 

Foxen, W. D 667 

Frankl, Leopold 277 

Franklin, B. H 280 

Freire, M. P 478 

Frink, C. H 301 

Frost, F. D 642 

Gagliardo, G. B 354 

Gaily, B. W 586 

Garcia, Mrs. Julian 608 

Garcia, Philemon 514 

Gardner, C. 601 

Garrett, Russell 661 

Garrison, A. M 336 

Gates, L. D 531 

Gerry, Waite 552 

Gilger, C. T 587 

Gisler, S. L 304 

Glass, J. H 355 

Goodyear, J. D .■ 544 

Gordon, A. L 594 

Gosnell, T. B 411 

Gragg, G.T 671 

Graham, J. W 601 

Graham, Z 568 

Grant, K P 549 

Graves, Ernest 672 

Graves, J. M 425 

Graves, Murphy 540 

Graves, William.. 655 

Gregg. V. A 303 

Gregory, D. 8 607 

Green. J.E 546 

Greenlee, D.M 600 

Greenwell, W. E 595 

Greer, Mrs. E. A 602 

Gries, J. K 465 

Grimes, Brice 319 

Gruenliagen Bros 270 

Guiberson, S. A 315 

Gutietrez, A. G 526 

Gutierrez, B 510 

Haines, Abner : .632 

Hall, C. L 527 

Hall, E. B 5!K) 

Hall, E. P 507 

Hall, E. S.... 445 

Hard i sod, Harvey 434 

Hardison, L. A 321 

Hardison, W. L 020 

Harkey, J. 8 511 

Harloe, Marcus 394 

Harris, Joseph 510 

Harris, R. II 383 

Harrold, E. W 307 

Harrold, Michael 583 



CONTENTS. 






Hart, Reuben 614 

Hartman, F 365 

Harwood, Thomas 308 

Hathaway, F. C 370 

Hawley, O.F 561 

Haydock, R. B 447 

Hayne, W. A 524 

Hazard, K. J 627 

Hendricks, J. W 411 

Henning, J. S 385 

Hepburn & Terry 648 

llerhst, J. H 448 

Herrera, Dolores 386 

Higgins, P. C 281 

Higuera, T. B 479 

Hillard, Fred 538 

Hill, Jesse 435 

Hill, J. G 463 

Hill, R. W 448 

Hill, Samuel 349 

Hobart, Joseph 290 

Hobson, P. J 637 

Hodges, T. E 346 

Hogg, S. T 641 

Hoit, E. M 499 

Hollister, John H 326 

Hollister, Joseph H 326 

Hollister, W. W 649 

Holt, Herman 622 

Horstman, A. F 265 

Hosmer, Thomas 276 

Houk,John 394 

Hudiburgh, I. N 345 

Hudson, A.J 640 

Irwin, John 314 

Jack, R. E 303 

Jackson, Wm 413 

James. D W 350 

Jameson, T. C 364 

Jamison, W. C 264 

Jatta, J. N 403 

Jeffreys, W. M 657 

Jenkins & McGuire 517 

Jesse, J. V 615 

Jewett, Henry 438 

Johnson. C. H 563 

Johnson, G. W. F 638 

Johnson, H. H 65g 

Johnston, W. F 497 

Jones, E. M 461 

Jones, W. S 619 

Kaiser, Joseph ; 424 

Kaltmeyer, G. E 577 

Kamp, H. L 566 

Kays, J. C 626 

Keene, Josiah 328 

Keller, J 506 

Kellogg, F. E 500 

Kellogg, P. E 4>8 

Kelsey, J. B 624 

Kennedy, J L 414 

Kilson, G. E 274 

Kimball, C. N 550 

Kirkpatr ck, R. R 277 

Krill. F. A 520 

Kuhlman, J. H 470 



Lamy, Louis 666 

Larsen, S 599 

Larzelere, C. W 407 

Law, S. L & Co 591 

Lazcano, Alonzo 390 

Lazcano, Bernardo 391 

Lazcano, Mariano 389 

Le Blanc, J. B ...644 

Lee & Rice 323 

L,ee, R. E 655 

Leedham, E 612 

Levy, Achille 469 

Levy, Leon 488 

Lewis, Henry 343 

Lewis, W. S 363 

Lewty, David 616 

Liddle, James 643 

Lillingston & Perry 293 

Lima, J. P 668 

Linbarger, L 432 

Lindner, J. D 375 

Lloyd, L. M 380 

Logan, Anna M 325 

Long, G. H 405 

Long, John 613 

Loose, August 660 

Low, C. P 267 

Lucas. W. T 501 

Lugo, Bernardino 476 

Maddox, B. F 285 

Maggi, G. R 540 

Maflagh, W 667 

Mallagh, S. P 665 

Mancilla, V 611 

Maris, W. S 496 

Marks. Joshua 567 

Martin, Andrew 277 

Manderscheid, G 616 

Maulhardt, Jacob 559 

Maulsby, O. W 398 

McCabe, G. W 502 

McClure, J. F 398 

McCoy, J. E 468 

McDonnell, John 669 

McFerson, J. C 275 

McGee, W. J 384 

McGlashan, J 418 

McGrath. D 565 

McGuire, I. N 517 

McGuire, Wm 295 

McHenry, Patrick 467 

McKee, James 453 

McKeeby, L. C 400 

McKevett, C. H 535 

McMillan, Peter 336 

McNulta, Thomas 535 

McPhail, A. F 593 

Mears, John 338 

Mehlman, H 506 

Merritt, C..W 617 

Meyer, J. F 593 

Middagh, Gilbert 288 

Miller, D. S , 496 

Moody, J. P 662 

Moore, E. E 310 

Moore, F. A 592 

Moore, S. T 513 

More, T. R 546 

Moreno, F. P 618 



Murphy, P. W 625 

Muscio, Abram 331 

Myers, J. R 402 

Nance, T. C 433 

Nelson, Andrew 372 

Newby, J. F 368 

Newsom, D. F 488 

Nichols, A. J 600 

Nichols, G. B 529 

Nichols, M. S 379 

Nicholson, E. H 422 

Nicoles, E. R 422 

Norcross. D. C 426 

Norton, Thomas 506 

Nott, Samuel 297 

Nuttall, R. W 506 

O'Hara, William 340 

Old, Henry W 482 

Oliver, L. G 268 

Ortega, J. C 542 

Orton, R 623 

'Palin.J. B 576 , 

Patter, L. L 520 

Percy, James 629 

Petersen, H i!63 

Pezzoni, Antonio 415 

Phillips, OH 532 

Pico, B 5:J7 

Pico, Z. A 536 

Pierce, B. B 346 

Pietra Bros 261 

Pippin, W.T 391 

Poland, Henson 373 

Polley, H 579 

Pomeroy, F 610 

Porter, Arza 399 

Prefumo, P. B 665 

Prell, J. G 430 

Price, J. M 4.6 

Proctor, G. W 283 

Pyster, John 286 

Quarnstrom, John 263 

Quintana, J 658 

Quinlana, Pedro 658 

Ransom, John 521 

Ready, P. F 670 

Ready, W. E 562 

Redrup, C. G 416 

Reed, A. S 530 

Reed, John 370 

Reed, N. H 540 

Reilly, W. H 495 

Remick, A. C 551 

Rice, J. C 324 

Rice, J. H 404 

Rice, T. A 334 

Richardson, Frederick 306 

Richardson, G. M 305 

Richards, G. W 423 

Richards, J. T 549 

Richards, W. D. F 548 

Riley, C. C 312 

Riley, W. S 406 

Roach, W. H . . . .„ 431 

Robbins, G. W 663 

Roberts, George 454 



CONTENTS, 



Robinson, Richard 583 

Robinson, S 644 

Robinson, Thomas 420 

Robison,T. J 509 

Rochin, J. M 364 

Rogers, A. C 564 

Rogers, J. W 286 

Root, Orville 616 

Ross, W. L 418 

Rotsler, G. F 311 

Rucker, G. F 425 

Rucker, Z. T 426 

Ruffner, Joseph 395 

Ruiz, Gabriel 269 

Rundell, Eli 490 

Ryan, W. H 474 

Rynerson, A. C 585 

V' Salzman, H. W 415 

Sanborn, E. P 341 

Sauer, G. F 668 

Saulsbury, Thomas 437 

Saunders, C. L 430 

Saunders, W. A 390 

Saunders, Z.W 604 

Scarlett, John 588 

Schiefferly, J. J 664 

Scott, John 645 

Seaton, J. H 512 

Sedgwick, Charles 490 

Sessions, O. V 466 

Sewell, G. G 543 

Sexton, Joseph 591 

Shackelford, Otto 354 

Shackelford, R. M 374 

Sharon, Thomas 573 

Sharp, J. M 520 

Shaw, J. B 633 

Sheldon, C. H 539 

Shepherd, W. E 427 

Sheppard, S. A 504 

Sheppard, T. A 587 

Sherman, C 613 

Shick, J. W 432 

Short, J. M 324 

Short, W. N 410 

Show, W. C 491 

Simmler, J. J 516 

Simpson, John 387 

Simpson, V. A 458 

Sittenfeld, A 294 

Skellenger, L 310 

Smith, D. A 457 



Smith, Frank 321 

Smith, G. C 617 

Smith, H. B 265 

Smith, N. B 397 

Smith, N. D 339 

Smith, R. D 266 

Smith, Solon 531 

Snow, H. K. Jr 352 

Snyder, J. D 518 

Soule, C. E 444 

Sparks, I.J ,,..392 

Spanne, John 1 . . 385 

Spence, John 428 

Sperry.H.A 673 

Sprout, W. P 598 

Squier, O. P 299 

St. Clair, C. L 655 

Steele, E. W 525 

Steele, Sebern 377 

Stevens, R, K 278 

Steward, Marvin 498 

Stiles, H. M 468 

Stock, Frederick 327 

Stoddard, Henry 599 

Stone, George 627 

Stone, W. R 439 

Storke, C. A 537 

Stowell, E. A , 646 

Stowell, George 412 

Streeter, W. A 494 

Summers, Henry 406 

Surdam, R. G 632 

Sutton, R. S 293 

Sweet, J. W 610 

Swift Brothers 272 

Taggart, Edwin 541 

Tailant, E. C 592 

Taylor, G. O 618 

Taylor, James 659 

Taylor, W. H 345 

Tebbetts, G. P 492 

Thompson, C. A 301 

Thompson, John 656 

Thornburgh, M 440 

Tognazzini, A 273 

Townsend, J. B 604 

Toy, Daniel 401 

Truitt, D. T 388 

Tucker, B.F 381 

Tutt,E.R 388 

Twitchell, F. C 574 



Utter, M. S btil 

Vance, J. R 471 

Van Gorden, Geo 658 

Van Gorden, Ira 571 

Veneble, McD. R 524 

Von Schroeder, Baron 479 

Walbridge, O. C 452 

Walden, G. R 464 

Walker, Alfred 618 

Walker, James 462 

Ward, A 611 

Ward, F. P 440 

Warden, L. M 625 

Wason, Milton 528 

Webb, H.P 630 

Webster, Gaius 261 

Webster, L. T 287 

Weill, Isidore 382 

Welch, G. C.... 337 

Wells, M.T 628 

Wells, S. T 572 

Wells, Timothy 348 

Whitaker, W. S 278 

White, F. M ..630 

Whitney, B. P 601 

Whitney, S. E 626 

Wigmore, J. & A. A 508 

Wiley, B. T 396 

Wilkinson, J. M 396 

Willett, Jacklin 401 

Williams, B. T 451 

Williams, E. B 309 

Williams, H.L 273 

Williams, Julia F 298 

Williams, J. F 503 

Williams, T.J 423 

Williamson, A 379 

Willoughby, J. R 502 

Wilson, A. C.J 327 

Wilson, I. L 670 

Wilson, J. C 344 

Woodberry, W 662 

Woolever, A 631 

Wolff, M. L 460 



Young, C. J. 
Young, J. V. N. 



..429 
..612 



Zeller, W. M 467 



^W£_ 






^0 



■ II 



■ THE SANTA BAI^BAI^A REGION. 



m> 




A HISTORICAL SKETCH OP THE COAST COUNTIES OP SANTA BARBARA, VENTURA, 
AND SAN LUIS OBISPO, PROM THEIR DISCOVERY TO THE PERIOD OP 

AMERICAN OCCUPATION. 



THE FIRST VISIT OF WHITES 

known to have been made to the waters 
washing the shores of the three present 
counties composing our group, was that of 
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his sturdy men, 
in his two vessels, the San Salvador and La 
Victoria. Having enjoyed the shelter of the 
"land-locked and very good harbor" at San 
Miguel (San Diego), touched at Santa Cata- 
lina and San Pedro, and sailed past Santa 
Monica, they discovered, on Tuesday, Octo- 
ber 10, 1542, a great valley, opposite which 
they anchored, seeing on shore some villages 
of peaceable Indians, with whom they traded 
and whom they called " los pueblos de las 
canoas," because these people had a great 
many canoes. These towns were in 35° 20', 
being near the present San Buenaventura, 
the valley that is now called Santa Clara. 

Here the Spaniards remained four days, 
taking formal possession, and communicating 
as best they could with the natives, who 
came off in fine large canoes, each carrying 
a dozen or so of men, who averred that other 
whites, like unto these visitors, were in the 
interior, and who told of maize growing in 



their own valley. Fishermen were these In- 
dians, dressed in skins, and living largely on 
raw fish and agaves. Leaving this anchor- 
age on Friday, October 13, the Spaniards 
passed, at some seven leagues distance, two 
large islands about four leagues long each, 
and about four leagues from the mainland. 
There were many cabins and trees along the 
coast, and continually the ships were boarded 
by natives from their canoes, who pointed 
out to the navigators and named the villages, 
whose names were certainly strange enough 
to the ears that then heard them — Xiicu, 
Bis, Sofono, Alloc, Xabaiigua, Xotococ, Po- 
toltuc, Nacbnc, Misinagua, Misesopano, EL 
quis, Coloc, Quelqneme, Mugu, Xagua, An* 
acbuc, Partocac, Susuquey, Quanmu, Oua, 
Asimu, Aguin, Casalic,Tucumu, andlncpupu 
On the 15th they passed an island fif- 
teen leagues long, very populous, with six 
villages, which they named San Lucas (now 
Santa Cruz). Two days later they were in 
latitude 34° 28', abreast of the present Gav- 
iota Pass, where the natives ate no maize, 
wont clothed in skins, and wore their very 
long hair tied up with cords placed within 



Itf 



PRE-AMBR1GAN UlSTORT Oh' 



the hair, from which dangled many small 
daggers of wood, bone and flint. Still north- 
ward, passing many points and capes, now 
and then the mouth of a river emptying into 
the sea, and everywhere evidences of a numer- 
ous population. Past San Simeon Bay and 
Las Piedras Blancas (between which now 
stands San Luis Obispo), and on up the coast 
to a little northward of 40°, whence they re- 
turned southward, until, on November 23, 
they were once more at their old harbor on 
San Miguel Island. And here they remained 
for nearly two months, and re-named the 
island Juan Rodriguez, for their stanch cap- 
tain, who found a grave there; for on Janu- 
ary 3, 1543, Cabriilo died from the results of 
a broken arm, aggravated by the exposure of 
the voyage. At his instance, urged while 
dying, the expedition once more sailed north- 
ward, under Bartolome Ferrelo, and reached 
about 44°, then returned, reaching their 
home port, Navidad,. on April 14. 

And it was sixty years before the whites 
again visited these shores. 

Then, in 1603, came Sebastian Vizcaino, 
commanding an exploring fleet of three Span- 
ish vessels. It would seem that he knew 
naught of the discoveries of Cabriilo; for to 
all the points of interest he gave new names, 
mostly from the saint claiming the day of 
their discovery. And it must be said that 
many of the names applied by Vizcaino are 
those in use to-day. After exploring, re- 
cuperating, and re-naming San Diego, and 
also San Clemente and Santa Catalina Isl- 
ands, they came to "a regular row of isl- 
ands from four to six leagues distant from 
each other." Vizcaino was the first to note 
the parallelism of this chain of islands with 
the coast of the mainland, and lie it was who 
gave to the intervening broad passage the 
name El Canal de Santa Barbara. Being 
anxious to reach northern latitudes whilst 



the favorable winds should last, Vizcaino did 
not anchor here. He had, however, a visit 
from an Indian who appeared to be the king 
of the coast, who came off in a boat with four 
paddles, and urged the visitors to land. 
Noting the absence of women in the vessels, 
he offered ten for each man! But on to the 
northward went Vizcaino, as far as Cape 
Mendocino, and the rest of his voyage has 
no local connection with the scene of the 
present writing. 

FIRST EXPLORATION, AND FOUNDING OF THE 
MISSIONS. 

It will be remembered that the Mission of 
San Diego was not yet formally founded, 
when the commandant, Caspar de Portola,, 
zealous for the extension of the territories to 
be dominated by the missions, set forth 
northward,, to reach Monterey Bay by a coast, 
route. His party comprised sixty- four per- 
sons, who left San Diego July 14, 1769.* 

Just one month later they "crossed from a 
point near the mouth of the Santa Clara to 
the shore farther north, where they found 
the largest Indian village yet seen in Cali- 
fornia. The houses were of spherical form, 
: thatched with straw, and the natives used 
boats twenty-four feet long, made of pine 
boards tied together with cords and covered 
with asphaltum, capable of carrying each ten 
fishermen. A few old blades of knives and 
swords were seen. Some inhabitants of the 
Channel Islands came across to gaze at the 
strangers. Previously the inhabitants had 
bartered seeds, grass baskets and shells for 
the coveted glass beads, but now fish and 
carved bits of wood were added to the limited 
list of commercial products. Thus more food 
was offered than could be eaten. This fine 
pueblo, the first of a long line of similar 
ones along the channel coast, was called 

* Bancroft. 



THE SANTA BAEBARA REGION. 



11 



Asuncion, and was identical in site with the 
modern San Buenaventura." 

Proceeding on northward toward Monterey 
Bay in 1769, the route of Portola and his 
command, from the middle of August through 
the first week of September, followed the 
coast of the Santa Barbara channel westward, 
through a dense population of the natives, 
gathered into many large villages or ranche- 
rias. These Indians showed unfailing hospi- 
tality. All along this way the Spaniards re- 
mained in sight of the Channel Islands. On 
August 18 they came to a settlement which 
they called Laguna de la Concepcion, which 
was near the present Santa Barbara, it being 
supposed that this city indeed occupies the 
exact site of that aboriginal village. The 
Spaniards stayed not here, but marched on 
northward, and here, as in San Buenaventura, 
the project of settlement was left in abeyance 
for some years. 

Before returning to San Diego this expe- 
dition pushed northward to San Francisco 
Bay. Of their passage through the district 
at present under consideration, traces still 
survive, in the way of names applied by 
them then, as La Gaviota, Los Osos and El 
Buchon. 

Although of the present group the most 
northern county was then the territory most 
remote from San Diego, the first base of 
operations, it was nevertheless to receive the 
attention of the Spaniards earlier than either 
Ventura or Santa Barbara. 

The mission and presidio of San Carlos 
Borromeo de Monterey having been founded 
in June, 1770, the colonists there found 
themselves, in May, 1772, almost destitute 
of provisions, owing to the delay in arrival 
of the supply vessels. Late in this month 
Captain Luges took thirteen men to the Can- 
ada de los Osos (Gulch of the Bears), where 
they staid for three months hunting bears, 



whose meat supplied the presidio and the 
mission until the arrival of the ships. 

When this succor at last came, the presi- 
dent, going southward, resolved that on the 
way he would establish one of the new mis- 
sions at this famous canada, where there was 
abundance of game and good land. Accord- 
ingly, on September 1, 1772, Padre Junipero 
raised the cross and said mass, thus foundino- 
the Mission of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 
which he left in charge of Padre Cavalier, 
with five soldiers and some Indians. The 
natives, no doubt gratefully bearing in mind 
Pages' exploits among their ursine neigh- 
bors, were well disposed toward the new- 
comers, whom they assisted by their labors, 
and by contributions of seeds to the com- 
missary. Perhaps the father, too, derived 
some solace and encouragement from their 
readiness to accept the rite of baptism for 
their children. 

In Palou's report on the missions, for- 
warded to Mexico at the close of 1773, San 
Luis Obispo is stated to have but twelve 
converts. " It is," so says the report, '• hard 
to attract the people here to the mission. The 
population is very numerous, and of friendly 
disposition toward the missionaries; but as 
the Indians, having plenty of deer, rabbits, fish 
and seeds, are better supplied with food than 
are the Spaniards, they cannot be controlled 
by self-interest. Moreover, as there is no 
rancheria close by, they do not stay in the 
vicinity of the mission. The buildings here 
are somewhat less extensive than at some of 
the other establishments, but there is plenty 
of fertile land, well wooded and well watered, 
and there has been a small crop of beans and 
corn even this first year." By 1780 San 
Luis had some 2,000 bushels surplus of 
maize. 

It was not until April, 1782, after the 
founding of the missions of San Carlos, San 



12 



PRE- AMERICAN HISTORY OF 



Antonio, San Gabriel, San Francisco and San 
Jnan Capistrano, and the beginning of pue- 
blos and presidios, that further measures were 
taken toward the settlement of these districts. 
Then, indeed, there came np thither the 
largest expedition as yet seen in California, 
comprising, besides the officers, seventy sol- 
diers and their families. Coming from San 
Gabriel, they reached March 29, the first 
fancheria on the Santa Barbara channel, that 
village which had been called Asuncion in 
1769 by Pol-tola's party, and Which had been 
selected long since as a suitable site for a 
mission. Here, near the beach, and in close 
vicinity to the native huts of straw and tule, 
shaped in conical fashion, the cross was duly 
raised beneath its arboi'dike shelter, and, on 
the 31st, the mission was formally founded 
and dedicated to the " seraphic doctor," Gio- 
vanni di Fidanza. Padre Junipero Serra 
himself it was who preached the dedicatory 
sermon. There w T ere present many natives, 
who expressed much pleasure in the estab- 
lishment of the mission, to the building of 
whose edifices they cheerfully lent their 
labors. 

The facilities here were good for irrigation, 
also for procuring good building material. 
By April 12 of that year, there had been 
completed an enclosure of 40 x 50 varas (a 
vara is 33| inches) of palisades four varas 
high, having two ravelins, a gate and a small 
warehouse. 

Padre Cambon remained until May in 
charge of the new mission ; then Padre Fran- 
cisco Dnmetz and Padre Yicente de Santa 
Maria arrived there as regular ministers. 
Notwithstanding the cordiality of the natives, 
only two adults received the rite of baptism 
during 1782. 

The first marriage ceremony performed 
at the mission church was that of Maria Con- 
cepcion Martiel, of Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, 



and Alejandro Sotomayor of Fuerte, Mexico, 
Padre Dumetz officiating, on August 8, 1782. 
The first baptism was that of Jose Cresencio 
Valclez, son of Eugenio Valdez Espanol, on 
April 27, 1782. 

About the middle of April, leaving a ser- 
geant and fourteen men as a guard at the 
newly founded mission, the governor and the 
president with the rest of the party journeyed 
on up the coast to establish the presidio of 
Santa Barbara. 

The site chosen was probably that which 
Portola's expedition of 1769 had called La- 
guna de la Concepcion. Here work was be- 
gun at once, and on April 21, Padre Serra 
formally established the fort, with the saying 
of mass and the chanting of an alabado (a 
hymn of praise; a Te Deuiri). The fort was 
constructed on an eminence, near some 
springs and a lagoon. The palisades were of 
oak from the neighboring timber, and the 
first enclosure was sixty varas square. This 
stockade was replaced later by a solid wall, 
around an area eighty yards square. The na- 
tives were friendly, and their labors here were 
repaid with food and clothing. The chieftain 
of the native town here had authority over 
no less than thirteen rancherias, and his sup- 
port was of great value to the settlers. So 
favorably did matters progress here, that 
soon irrigation works were constructed, and 
farming was begun on a small scale. 

The founding of a mission here was long 
postponed, owing to the enmity of the secu- 
lar authorities toward the friars; but at last, 
1786, more than two years after the death of 
the devoted Padre Junipero, the president 
with two friars of recent arrival went to the 
presidio and made preparations for the formal 
founding of the mission, the tenth to be es- 
tablished in Alta California. Thus, on De.- 
cember 4, 1786, the cross was raised and 
blessed, and the mission dedicated to Saint 



en 

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71 




THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



13 



Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, the patroness of 
artillerymen in the Spanish army. The cere- 
monies were not completed at this time, as 
Fages, the governor, was absent, and he had 
ordered operations to be suspended nntil his 
arrival. If he had meant to impede the pro- 
ceedings of the clergy here, he appeared to 
think better of it upon reflection, and, after 
his arrival, the first mass was said by Padre 
Paterna, a sermon was preached by Lasuen, 
and thus was completed the founding of la 
Mision de Santa Barbara, Virjen y Martir. 
The first baptism was on December 31, and 
the rite was administered at the presidio, as 
the rains prevented the erection of buildings 
at the mission itself for the time. However, 
a church 18 x 90 feet was completed in 1789, 
and by the end of 1790 there were numerous 
mission buildings, well built of adobes, and 
roofed with tiles. By this time, the number 
of baptisms here had reached 520, and the 102 
deaths left 438 neophytes at that date. At 
this time, Santa Barbara mission owned 296 
head of large, and 503 head of small, stock, 
and the agricultural products amounted to 
about 1,500 bushels. 

Yet the mission had poor resources, and 
owing to this lack of means to support the 
Indians, only voluntary converts were admit- 
ted at first 

The formal founding of the third of the 
channel missions took place on December 8, 
1787, this day being selected as being that 
dedicated to " Our Lady of the Immaculate 
Conception." This because it had been deter- 
mined to consecrate this new mission to that 
service, and it was accordingly called " de la 
Purisima Concepcion." The mere act of 
founding accomplished, this mission was left 
alone until March, 1788, when a detachment 
returned thither to prepare buildings. By 
August, 1788, there had been enrolled seven- 
ty-nine neophytes. The site of this mission 



was changed somewhat later, as will be 
shown. 

There were in the Purisima district over 
fifty rancherias, or Indian villages. 

At this time, the white population of Santa 
Barbara presidial district was about 220, or 
360, including Los Angeles. The natives 
were employed as hired laborers, and they did 
their work well. The neophytes of this en- 
tire district, including San Gabriel and San 
Fernando, numbered at this period nearly 
4,000. 

The presidio had eight guns, all but one of 
brass, from one to six pounds of caliber. 
Half of these were distributed amono- the 
missions, but they were not in use, as there 
was no hostility among the Indians, and the 
foreign disturber as yet appeared not. 

At San Buenaventura, Padres Dumetz and 
Santa Maria had continued as ministers 
throughout this decade; and so zealous were 
they that the lukewarmness of the Indians 
was overcome, so that the neophytes increased 
from twenty- two to 388 within this period, 
besides 115 who died as converts. The large 
stock had now increased from 103 to 961, 
the small stock from forty-four to 1,503; and 
the crops for 1790 were over 3,000 bushels. 
The natives hereabouts continued friendly; 
but, in view of the great number of them, it 
was deemed prudent to maintain here a larger 
guard than at the other missions. However 
this •' large guard " would seem to have been 
absurdly inadequate to hold in check the 
hordes of Indians, had they chosen to.be hos- 
tile, for the force numbered now fifteen, and 
now only ten men. 

On November 10, 1793, Vancouver an- 
chored at Santa Barbara, where he was court- 
eously received by the commandant, Goycoe 
chea,and hospitably entertained by the padres, 
who saw the importance of a favorable im- 
pression to be made upon visiting foreigners. 



14 



PRE -AMERICAN HISTORY OF 



The Englishman pronounced the appearance 
of the place " far more civilized than any 
other of the Spanish establishments, * . * * 
the buildings regular and well constructed, 
the walls clean and white, and the roofs of 
the houses covered with a bright red tile." 
" The presidio," he wrote, " excels all the 
others in neatness, cleanliness, and other 
smaller though essential comforts ; it is placed 
on an elevated part of the plain, and is raised 
some feet from the ground by a basement 
story which adds much to its pleasantness." 
When Vancouver sailed on the 18th for San 
Buenaventura, he carried a passenger — Padre 
Santa Maria, who took that opportunity of 
making a visit to the neighboring mission, 
at the same time that he combated, by the 
force of his own experience, the prejudice 
and fears of the Indians, as against foreign- 
ers. The padres were very hospitable and 
courteous toward this traveler. 

Padre Antonio Paterna, the founder, and 
a pioneer of 1771, died in 1793, at Santa 
Barbara mission. 

On January 10, 1794, took place the first 
public execution, when Yguacio Bochin paid 
the penalty for murder. Death was inflicted 
upon him by shooting, there being no hang- 
man in the province. 

The English merchant ship Phoenix 
touched here in August, 1795. Communi- 
cation with the outside world had now begun 



to increase with each succeeding: 



year. 



In February, 1798, died Captain Jose Or- 
tega, former commandant of Santa Barbara. 

During this decade the number of neophytes 
increased from 438 to 864. Horses and cat- 
tle had multiplied from 296 to 2,492, and 
sheep from 503 to 5,615. The crops in 1800 
were 3,000 bushels, although the crop three 
years earlier was 5,400 bushels. During this 
period many improvements in building had 
been made at the mission. In 1791 were 



added three tool houses and a guard-house; 
in 1792, two large stone corrals. In 1793- 
'94 was erected a new church, built of adobes 
and plastered, with tiled roof; its ground 
space was 28x135 feet, and it had a brick 
portico, and a sacristy 15 x 28 feet. In 1794 
were built a granary and a spinning room, 
set on stone foundations; also an enclosure 
48 x 135 feet, for a cemetery; also a sheepfold. 
In 1797 a corridor with brick pillars and tile 
roof was added, on the side of the quad- 
rangle nearest to the presidio, and another 
alongside the spinning room; four new rooms 
were completed for the friars; and beams of 
pine were placed wherever alder and poplar 
had been used for that purpose. In 1797 
were completed several rooms for granaries, 
store-rooms, and offices. In 1799 were built 
for the neophytes nineteen adobe houses, 
each 12 x 19 feet, plastered, whitewashed, and 
tile-roofed; also an adobe w T all nine feet high 
was carried 1,200 yards around the garden 
and vineyard, and a warehouse was built. In 
1800 were built thirty-one more adobe 
houses in a row, the three remaining sides of 
the square were completed, and measures were 
taken for the construction, from brick and 
mortar and stone, of a reservoir for drinking 
water. In 1800 sixty neophytes were en- 
gaged in weaving and its attendant processes. 
Others were taught carpentry, and others 
tanning. 

The same priests remained in charge of 
San Buenaventura until 1797, when Padre 
Dumetz was succeeded by Padre Jose Fran- 
cisco de Paula Senan. The only notable 
event of this decade would seem to have been 
a fracas between the Christian Indians and 
the unconverted, in which the former, while 
they had several men wounded, were victo- 
rious, killing two chiefs of the pagans, and 
taking six or seven captives. The authorities 
punished impartially the leaders on -both 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



15 



sides, one of the neophytes being put to labor 
in irons. 

By this time, although there had been 412 
burials among the converts, the number of 
neophytes had increased to 715; and, although 
the population here was less than at any 
other of the older missions, San Buenaven- 
tura in 1800 had more cattle and raised more 
grain than any other plaee in California. 
There were 10,013 head of cattle and horses, 
and 4,622 sheep; and the crop of 1800 was 
9,400 bushels, the smallest crop being 1,500 
bushels in 1797, while the average yield was 
4,800 bushels. Wheat was little grown until 
1798, when this became the chief crop, reach- 
ing over 8,000 bushels per year. 

The buildings here were superior in con- ; 
struction, having been rebuilt after the old 
ones had been swept away by fire. The 
church alone, of the mission quadrangle, was 
not complete. It was begun about 1793, and 
completed during the decade, being built of 
stone. Vancouver, who landed here Novem- 
ber 20, 1793, pronounced this mission of 
u a very superior style to any of the new 
establishments yet seen." •' The garden of 
Buena Ventura far exceeded," he wrote, 
" anything I had before met with in these 
regions, both in respect of the quality, quan- 
tity, and variety of its excellent productions, 
not only indigenous to the country, but ap- 
pertaining to the temperate as well as the 
torrid zone; not one species having yet been 
planted or sown that had not nourished. 
These have principally consisted of apples, 
pears, plums [sic], figs, oranges, grapes, 
peaches and pomegranates, together with the 
plantain, banana, cocoa-nut, sugar-cane, in- 
digo, and a great variety of the necessary and 
useful kitchen herbs, plants and roots. All 
these were flourishing in the greatest health 
and perfection, though separated from the 
seaside only by two or three fields of corn, 



that were cultivated within a few yards of 
the surf." 

San Luis Obispo reached its maximum of 
population, 946, in 1794, but it had, in 1800, 
the considerable number of 726, from 605 in 
1790. At this date, the cattle and horses 
had increased to 6,500 head, and sheep to 
6,150. There were raised this year 2,700 
bushels of grain, the average number being 
3,200, while in 1798 the harvest was 4,100 
bushels. This mission raised no barley. 

During this decade had been completed an 
adobe church, with portico and tile roof, a 
house for the ministers, a guard-house, work- 
room, and barrack, and a mill run by water- 
power. The huts of the natives there were 
well built. 

This mission was fortunate in receiving a 
miller, blacksmith, and carpenter, sent hither 
to impart instruction. 

In 1794 there was at San Luis a certain 
excitement, resulting from the efforts of sev- 
eral gentile chiefs to incite a revolt ainoD." 
the Indians hereabouts. Those at Purisima 
were approached by agents of the malcon- 
tents, but the neophytes scorned the presents 
offered for the purpose and were so loyal to 
the Spaniards that five of the unruly In- 
dians were delivered over for punishment. 

For a long time there had been entertained 
by the authorities of the church a project to 
found a series of new missions to lie between 
the old ones, and as nearly as might be equi- 
distant from each two of them, all of these 
to be situated somewhat farther inland than 
those of the original chain. Practically, the 
sites had been chosen by the friars; but for 
form's sake, the priests made, in 1794-'95, 
an exploration, in conjunction with the mili- 
tary. After this, and some preliminary cor- 
respondence, the five new missions were 
organized. 

On June 11, 1797, was founded San Jose; 



16 



PRE- AMEBIC AH HISTORY OF 



on June 24 San Juan JBautista, and on July 
25, San Miguel, being the third of the new- 
missions, and the only one with which we 
have to deal in the present chapters on this 
section. 

San Miguel was founded by Padre Lasuen 
and Friar Buenaventura Sitjar, on a site 
which the natives called Vahia or Vatica, and 
the Spaniards Las Posas. It was between 
San Luis Obispo and San Antonio, Padres 
Sitjar and Horra, generally called Padre 
Concepcion, were appointed ministers. The 
founding was attended by a great number of 
Indians, fifteen of whose children were pre- 
sented for baptism on that day; and this good 
disposition seemed to continue, for by the end 
of 1800 there had been baptized 385. The 
other missions had contributed a few head of 
stock, which by the end of the decade had in- 
creased to 372 large and 1,582 small animals. 
The total product of crops for these three 
years was 3,700 bushels. The church was 
built of wood, with a mud roof, and it con- 
tinued in use for some years. 

In 1801 the safety of the whites of Santa 
Barbara was jeopardized, from a singular 
cause. An epidemic of lung disease had been 
causing great mortality among the Indians, 
when a neophyte claimed to have seen in a 
dream or trance, Chupu, the deity of the 
channel natives, who announced that all the 
baptized Indians would fall victims to the evil 
unless they would renounce Christianity and 
perform certain rites to Chupu. The natives 
of most of the channel rancherias hastened to 
comply, while the padres remained in igno- 
rance of the movement; and it is not quite 
clear what withheld the fanatics from pro- 
ceeding to attack the Spaniards. 

On September 17, 1804, was founded the 
nineteenth of the Alta California Missions, 
dedicated to Santa Ynes (Saint Agnes), Vir- 
gin and Martyr. As far back as 1795 



the Spaniards had made explorations for a 
mission site here. The spot chosen was 
called by the Indians Alajulapu (rincon, a 
corner or nook). Mission work here was 
begun with the baptism of twenty-seven 
children, and the enrolling of many catechu- 
mens, among them three captains or chiefs. 
By the end of the year Santa Ynes had 225 
neophytes, but at least half of them came 
from other missions. The church here was a 
very poor one in this decade. The crops here 
averaged 2,700 bushels yearly, and by 1810 
the live stock numbered 3,200 cattle, 420 
horses, 61 mules, 11 asses, and 2,300 sheep. 

At this time was agitated the question of 
founding a mission on one of the Channel 
Islands, but an epidemic of measles carried 
off over 200 of the natives, and the president 
had to admit, moreover, that the facilities of 
lands and the water supply were unfavorable 
to the project. 

At Santa Barbara, during each year from 
1801 to 1805, from thirty to fifty adobe dwell- 
ings for the neophytes were built, and their 
numbers reached 234, they being enclosed 
on three sides by an adobe wall, constructed 
in 1802. Other erections of this period were 
three large warehouses, a major-domo's house, 
a tannery, and several other buildings, one 
of which was 120 feet long. Meanwhile, at 
the Indian rancheria of Mescaltitlan, by the 
Spaniards called San Miguel, six miles from 
Santa Barbara, there had been built an adobe 
chapel, 66x27 feet, a stone prison building, a 
reservoir of masonry, a fountain, arranged 
with washing places for the laundresses, a 
pottery, and more than a score of adobe-built 
dwelling houses. 

In 1805-'6, the presidial company at Santa 
Barbara was increased from fifty-nine to sixty 
men by the process of recruiting, and there 
were thirty-five invalided soldiers, mostly 
living at the presidio. The total white 



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THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



17 



population, including Santa Barbara, San 
Buenaventura, Purisima, Santa Ynes, San 
Fernando, San Gabriel, Los Angeles and the 
ranchos (all these points were under the 
military jurisdiction of Santa Barbara pre- 
sidio) was 825, having gained 150 during the 
decade. Without Los Angeles and the ran- 
chos, there had been an increase to 460 from 
390. 

The greatest number of neophytes at San 
Luis Obispo, 854, was reached in 1803, but 
by the end of the decade it had declined to 
713. Although the smallest of the old mis- 
sions, excepting San Carlos, this was far 
above the average in the production of live- 
stock. Its agricultural results were less satis- 
factory. The friars there were somewhat 
noted for their discouraging treatment of 
foreign vessels. 

At San Miguel, this period was character- 
ized by the death of Padre Pujol, and the 
violent illness of two other priests, all sup- 
supposed to have been poisoned by the 
neophytes. There was also some trouble over 
the defiant attitude of Cuchapa, one of the 
Indian captains, who was, however, subdued 
by judicious treatment. 

A great loss was sustained at San Miguel 
in 1806, in a fire which destroyed that por- 
tion of the mission buildings used for manu- 
facturing purposes, with the implements and 
a large quantity of raw material, including 
vvool, hides, cloths, and 6,000 bushels of 
wheat. 

In population San Miguel grew from 
362 to 973, the greatest gain of the decade, 
except at San Luis Key and San Fernando. 
Its death rate was only forty-nine per cent, of 
the baptisms. This had more sheep than any 
other mission save San Juan Capistrano. 

The chapel at Santa Barbara presidio had 
its walls badly injured by an earthquake in 
March, 1806, and just two months later, the 



edifice was almost totally destroyed by'a great 
storm. 

At intervals through this decade, no little 
local excitement was wrought up over three 
criminal cases of a repulsive nature, and by a 
case of alleged blasphemy. 

The channel was visited during this period 
by the Hazard, the Lelia Byrd, the O'Cain, 
and the Albatross. There were in this 
presidial jurisdiction, which included San 
Gabriel, 6,500 neophytes (round numbers), 
the gain over the previous decade being 2,500. 

By 1810 the numerical decline of the 
neophyte population had begun; although 
there was an actual increase from 864 to 
1,355, this was a considerable drop from 
1,792, the figure which had been reached in 
1803. Santa Barbara by this time led all the 
other missions in the whole number of bap- 
tisms for the decade, and in the highest num- 
ber for one year. The large stock of this 
mission had increased from 2,492 to 5,670; 
there were 1,390 horses and mules in 1810. 
The small stock increased from 5,615 to 
8,190. The average crop for the decade was 
of 6,216 bushels per year; at one time there 
were produced 10,150 bushels. 



AN INVASION. 



On October 6, 1818, the American brig 
Clarion brought to Santa Barbara the news 
that there were being fitted out at the Sand- 
wich Islands two privateers, carrying collect- 
ively fifty-four guns and 250 men whose 
purpose was to make a cruise on this coast. 
Commandant Guerra at once despatched 
messengers at all speed to Governor Sola at 
Monterey, and to the friars of the southern 
missions. Sola at once issued orders that all 
church vessels, ornaments, and other articles 
of intrinsic value, should be packed up and 
sent to points of safety inland; the women 
and children made ready to retire thither also; 



18 



PRE-AMEBIOAN HISTORY OF 



provisions and ammunition prepared for at- 
tack; live-stock driven inland; soldiers and 
settlers summoned for defense at their re- 
spective presidios, as well as the native 
archers; sentinels and couriers stationed at 
convenient points; and, in fact, every prepa- 
ration made for resistance, at the same time 
that all precautions must be taken to prevent 
the expected vessels from effecting a landing 
upon any pretense. The missionaries, too, 
were officially notified of the expected attack, 
and earnestly recommended to co-operate with 
the commandants. 

Taken all these prudent measures nearly 
two months elapsed without sign of hostile 
approach, and Sola ordered the civilians dis- 
missed to the attention of their own affairs. 
Guerra and some others considered this 
relaxation premature, in which the events 
sustained them; for on November 20, the 
dreaded vessels were descried approaching 
Monterey. The account of the ravages there 
committed by their crews is not strictly 
germane to the subject of these pages. Suf- 
fice it to say that, after destroying all they 
could in that quarter, and losing three of 
their men — one an American — as prisoners, 
the two ships came southward, the news be- 
ing brought by a returning corporal and six 
men whom the prudent Guerra had sent up 
to re-enforce Monterey. The marauders landed 
at the Rancho Refugio of the Ortegas on De- 
cember 2, the family having abandoned the 
place on their approach. Here they killed 
cattle, and plundered and fired the buildings, 
while they were watched by Spaniards as- 
sembled at Santa Ynes, who captured, from 
an ambush three of the " pirates." Sailing 
hence the two ships anchored at Santa Bar- 
bara on December 6, and Bouchard, the com- 
mander, sent ashore with a flag of truce a 
letter to the commandant, promising to leave 
the coast without further hostilities after an 



exchange of prisoners. Guerra replied, avow- 
ing his positive yearning to fight, but con- 
senting to consider the other's proposition, 
"from feelings of humanity," and to forward 
the letter to the governor. Further urgency 
from Bouchard impelled Guerra to consent 
to an immediate exchange, but, on coming to 
the point, he found that but one prisoner was 
offered for three. To Gnerra's indignation 
on this score, Bouchard averred that he had 
but one captive, and this one, when delivered 
over for Bouchard's three useful men, proved 
to be a drunken vagabond named Molina, 
who had stumbled into the arms of the in- 
vaders while they were at Monterey, and who 
was a nuisance to the community! Besides 
his chagrin at this victimizing of the wily 
Bouchard, poor, plucky, sincere Guerra had 
to bear the blunt of Sola's reproaches for con- 
senting to terms with the cheating rascals. 
Perhaps the worst of the matter, however, 
after all, touched Molina, for he was sen- 
tenced to six years in the chain gang, after 
100 blows on his bare back. Bouchard, after 
some lingering, finally disappeared on De- 
cember 12 from Santa Barbara, and the 
troops at this point were then hurried south- 
ward, to assist in' the defense of San Diego 
and the other southernmost missions, and 
Guerra himself followed. 

This invasion was the principal event of 
the decade. In April, 1820, there were ru- 
mors of the arrival of four insurgent vessels 
from Chili, and orders for protectionary 
measures were again issued, but these fears 
proved unfounded. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

During this decade, the total white popula- 
tion of all this district had increased from 
460 to 740. This included forty-five men of 
the company brought to Alta California by 
Portilla. The presidio contained sixty-six 



TEE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



19 



men, besides its officers, and twenty-seven to 
thirty-one invalids. "With the Los Angeles 
contingent, there was a total of 1,355. The 
neophytes had diminished 100, being now 
6,400. The padres had granted the land of 
the San Julian Rancho as a loan, and it was 
stocked with some 650 tithe cattle, for a 
source of meat supply for the soldiers. This 
proved very successful. 

In 1812 occurred the severe series of 
earthquakes that so seriously damaged many 
of the missions. At Santa Barbara the shocks 
beo-an about December 21 and lasted several 

o 

months, during which time the people, who 
had abandoned their dwellings, lived in the 
open. Several buildings were ruined and 
others damaged, both at the presidio and the 
mission; springs of asphaltum were opened; 
the mountains cracked, and the general signs 
thoroughly justified the alarm of the people. 
The other events were not numerous; a few 
Indian expeditions were made, and a certain 
element of excitement was introduced by the 
foreign vessels and the other hunters, now ar- 
riving with more frequency. Times were very 
dull throughout the province, and here as 
elsewhere. 

In 1813 a chapel was built at the presidio, 
of wood, with a tiled roof and it was even 
proposed to remove the whole presidio to 
another site, in consequence of the damage 
from the earthquake. A primary school for 
girls, taught by a woman, was opened here 
in 1817, and a lady at the mission adminis- 
tered medicines to the sick at the presidio, 
whose cemetery was not used for interments 
after 1818. About this time, too, there was 
a controversy regarding a piece of land be- 
tween the mission and the presidio. 

At the mission extensive repairs were 
made on the old church to remedy the earth- 
quake's damage, and also a new church was 
begun in 1815, for which Captain Wilcox in 



the Traveler went to bring the timber from 
Santa Cruz Island. On September 10, 1820, 
this edifice was consecrated, the ministers 
having the assistance of three visiting priests, 
with Governor Sola acting as sponsor in the 
presence of the commandant, soldiers, and 
citizens. This ceremony was celebrated by a 
banquet and general festivities. The church 
was described as "of hewn stone and mortar, 
with walls very strongly built with good but- 
tresses, a tower of two stories holding six 
bells, a plaster ceiling frescoed, marbled col- 
umns, and altar tables in Roman style, one 
of them having a pulpit. In the front an 
image of Santa Barbara in a niche, supported 
by six columns, and at the extremity of the 
triangle the three virtues, all four of the fig- 
ures being of cut stone, painted over in oil. 
The floor of bitumen, polished; sundry dec- 
orations in the church and the sacristy. All 
being attractive, strong and neat." 

With the downfall of the Spanish rule in 
Mexico, California became a province of the 
Mexican empire, to which the oath of alle- 
giance was taken on April 13, 1822, at Santa 
Barbara, four days after the news was form- 
ally announced in junta (council) at Monterey. 
Shortly thereafter, Francisco Ortega was 
chosen elector de partido from Santa Bar- 
bara and five missions, to elect a deputy to 
the court at Mexico. The election sent Sola 
to that office. 

On September 13 of this year, the Ameri- 
can schooner Eagle was seized at Santa Bar- 
bara. For several years she had been on this 
coast engaged in smuggling. While at this 
port her crew attempted to seize the San 
Francisco de Paula, formerly the Cossack, 
there lying at anchor, on the plea of an ir- 
regularity of sale. In towing this prize out 
of the harbor, the Eagle ran herself aground, 
and was captured with the aid of the garrison 
men and cannon. For some time the vessel 



20 



PRE-AMEEIGAM HISTORY OF 



could not be floated, but she later sailed as 
the Santa Apolonio, having been bought, it 
seems, by the Santa Barbara padres, when 
both vessels and their cargo were sold at auc- 
tion after confiscation. They brought about 
$3,000, which, pending instructions from 
Mexico, was directed to be used for the good 
of the province. It would seem, however, 
that in those days existed the same affinity 
as at present between dollars and fingers, as 
seven years after, investigations were still 
making to ascertain what had been done with 
this money. 

Dnhant-Cilly, who wrote of the place in 
1827, said: "The presidio of Santa Barbara 
is, like that of Monterey, a closed square, 
surrounded with houses of a single story. 
Near the northwest corner rises an edifice a 
little more prominent than any other, and 
ornamented with a balcony. It is the resi- 
dence of the com m andante. At the opposite 
corner, protecting the way to the shore, it 
was evidently the intention of the Oalifornian 
engineers to build a bastion; but to believe 
that they had succeeded would be great good 
nature." 

By this time the port was often visited by 
foreign vessels, trading for hides and tallow. 
Some grain and vegetables were raised by 
the inhabitants. Most of the commerce was 
carried on by foreigners, with whose methods 
the Californians were unable to compete. The 
only manufactures were coarse woolen cloth 
and hats produced at the mission. Native 
wine and brandy might have been produced 
with profit but for the free importation of 
foreign liquors. 

In 1826, Father Luis Martinez built on the 
beach and launched, at Avila Landing, now 
in San Luis Obispo County, a two-masted 
vessel of about seventy-five tons' burthen, in 
which he used to ship to Monterey grain and 
other products, which he sold so profitably 



that in a few years he had become wealthy, 
and he then went to Lima on Captain Wil- 
son's vessel, carrying his golden doubloons 
quilted into a queer leathern tunic, which he 
wore, for the greater safety of his fortune 
and his person. But this golden coat of mail 
was so heavy and uncomfortable that he had 
to confide its contents to Captain Wilson, 
who cared for it safely throughout the voyage. 

About 1828 there was built at Santa 
Barbara a schooner of thirty- three tons, built 
for Carlos Carrillo and Wm. (1. Dana for the 
coasting, trade and otter hunting 

Santa Barbara participated to a consider- 
able extent in the dissensions of local mag- 
nates, as Alvarado and Carrillo, from 1836 
to 1838 ; and from this cause proceeded the 
battle of San Buenaventura, on March 27, 
1838, in which the church walls were some- 
what injured. Santa Barbara favored Al- 
varado. 

During the decade 1830-'40, the white 
population of this district grew from 630 to 
900, while the Indian population fell from 
4,400 to 1,550. These figures were exclusive 
of San Fernando, although that point was 
legally within this jurisdiction. The presid- 
ial organization was still kept up here, Jose 
de la Guerray Noriega being its captain, and 
after 1837 its regular commandant. The 
force was something like eighty. 

From 1821 to 1829, the presidial force of 
Santa Barbara stood at about sixty- six men 
and twenty-six invalids; in 1830 there were 
about eighty souls, all told. The white pop- 
ulation at the presidio had gained little in 
the decade, being now about 500; the whole 
presidial district, including the missions, 
with Los Angeles and its ranchos, had, 1,790, 
a gain of 435 during the decade. Mean- 
while, the neophyte population had declined; 
having lost 2,000, there were now 4,400 
Indians. During this decade, Southern Cali- 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



21 



fornia, including the two districts, San Diego 
and Santa Barbara, had increased from 1,800 
white population to 2,310, while the neophyte 
population, from 11,600 fell off to 9,600. 

There were at this time resident in the 
district at least ten foreigners, — i. e., whites 
not Mexican or Spanish. 

The Barbarenos were quite conservative, 
and shunned the various " plans " of opposi- 
tion. They took no part in the revolt against 
Victoria in 1831, and their partisanship of 
Alvarado, as against Carlos Carrillo, one of 
the most popular of their own men, once 
secured through the influence of de laGuerra 
and Duran, they were always loyal in their 
adherence to his cause. 

There is considerable vagueness of defini- 
tion between the municipal and the military 
jurisdiction at this period, as the records were 
not preserved. 

It is notable that, of some twenty ranchos 
granted to private owners in this decade, 
none of the titles were lost in subsequent 
litigation. The neophytes of this mission 
decreased from 711 in 1830 to 556 in 1834, 
the year of secularization, and by 1840 they 
were only 250. Stock continued to gain 
during the earlier half of this period, and 
until the last the crops were good. The mission 
buildings here were in better repair than at 
the other establishments. Writing; in 1846, 
Sir James Douglass placed Santa Barbara as 
a larger town than Monterey, and estimated 
the annual output of hides and tallow at $25,- 
000. 

At San Buenaventura there was a per- 
ceptible check in the falling off of neophyte 
population. In 1834 there were 626 in tills 
section. Live-stock continued to increase, 
and crops continued good. Even after 
secularization there was a loss of only about 
fifty per cent, in herds and flocks, while there 
was an increase still in horses, then as now a 



special product of Ventura. By this time 
there were some 500 Indians left in the dis- 
trict. 

At Santa Ynes there were frequent changes 
of ministers. Down to 1834 the decrease in 
neophytes was about fifteen per cent, there- 
after about twelve per cent, until 1840, when 
there were 180 Indians in the community. 
This mission held its own in live-stock down 
to secularization, and then showed a decided 
gain. The church property w r as valued at 
$11,000, other property at about $45,000, 
and the debt was reduced two-thirds, so that 
this was the most prosperous of the Southern 
missions. It was not secularized until 1836. 

At Purisima the neophyte population 
diminished little until 1834, when there were 
407 Indians; but by 1840 they had run down 
to 120. In possessions there was a decrease 
throughout the decade. The value of the 
Purisima estate about 1835 was approximately 
$60,000. Secularization was done here early 
in 1835. 

At San Luis Obispo there was little loss 
of neophytes down to 1834, when there were 
264, which after secularization in 1835 ran 
down to 170 by the end of the decade. 
Agricultural matters were not flourishing, 
and the live-stock diminished about one-half 
in the last lustrum. The possessions were 
valued at $70,000 in 1836, and at $60,000 
three years later, after which the decline was 
rapid. 

At San Miguel the neophyte list fell off 
from 684 to 599, in 1834, and to about 350 
by 1840. Crops ran down but little until 
after secularization in 1836, and there was an 
actual gain in cattle. The inventory at the 
transfer showed a valuation, exclusive of 
church property, of $82,000, which by 1839 
had dwindled to $75,000. None of the lands 
here passed to private ownership during this 
decade, and the establishment had several 



22 



PRE -AMERICAN HISTORY OF 



ranchos, with the corresponding buildings' 
and two large vineyards. At these ranchos, 
as well as at the mission, dwelt the Indians. 
Owing to their contiguity and intimacy with 
the Tulares, they were sometimes refractory; 
yet the real decline here hardly began before 
1840. 

Santa Barbara shared in the notoriety of 
the Graham affair in 1840, in that ten. for- 
eigners resident here were arrested under 
Governor Alvarado's order, on the pretext of 
intended revolt against the authorities. 

January 11, 1842, was marked by the ar- 
rival of Bishop Garcia Diego, who came to 
take up his residence at this, the best pre- 
served of the missions. He was received 
with enthusiastic demonstrations. 

A report on the southern missions, dated 
February, 1844, states that " Santa Barbara 
has left 287 neophytes, whom she supports 
with the greatest difficulty; that Purisima 
remains with some 200, unprovided with lands 
to sow, or other property provision than a 
moderate-sized vineyard; that Santa Ynes has 
264 neophytes, and the wherewithal to support 
them; while San Buenaventura is in very fair 
condition, with sufficient resources ;" these 
two last named being the only ones of the 
eleven secularized missions not utterly ruined. 

Bishop Garcia Diego cherished a Utopian 
project of establishing at Santa Ynes an ec- 
clesiastical seminary, and he applied for and 
on March 16, 1844, obtained a grant of six 
leagues of land, subsequently augmented. On 
May 4, he formally founded the college of 
Maria Santisima de Guadalupe de Santa Ynes. 

In May Governor Micheltorena declared 
the roadstead of Santa Barbara open to the 
coasting trade. It is probable that the dif- 
ference was one of formality merely. 

In the strifes and struggles between local 
personages, Micheltorena and Alvarado, the 
Picos, the Carrillos, and all the rest of their 



associates, Santa Barbara figured inevitably 
to some extent, by virtue of her importance 
as a town, and the strong individuality and 
influence of some of her citizens. But here 
as elsewhere the characteristic conservatism 
of the Barbarenos was conspicuous; moreover, 
these matters, besides being far too cumbrous 
to be treated in detail in a work of restricted 
magnitude as the present, were of little real 
importance in the development or building 
up of the section. 

By 1845, Santa Barbara had about 1,000 
white population, and about the same number 
of ex-neophyte Indians. At the presidio 
were enrolled between thirty and forty men, 
with ten to fifteen on actual duty. Captain 
Jose Antonio de la Guerra y Noriega, that 
conspicuous character of early days, retired 
from the commandancy in 1842. Municipal 
affairs were managed by judges of the peace 
or by alcaldes, and the records are meager 
and unimportant. Yisits from trading ves- 
sels now were frequent, and the hospitable 
and amusement-loving character of the Bar- 
barenos made this a favorite stopping-place. 
Travelers were sure to comment upon the fea- 
tures of social superiority here over other coast 
points. Sir George Simpson wrote in 1842 : 
" Santa Barbara is somewhat larger than Mon- 
terey, containing about 900 inhabitants, while 
the one is just as much a maze without a plan 
as the other. Here, however, anything of the 
nature of resemblance ends, Santa Barbara in 
most respects being to Monterey what the 
parlor is to the kitchen. Among all the set- 
tlements as distinguished from the rascally 
pueblos, Santa Barbara possesses the double 
advantage of being both the oldest and the 
most aristocratic. The houses are not only well 
finished at first, but are throughout kept in 
good order; and the whitewashed adobes, and 
the painted balconies and verandas form a 
pleasing contrast with the overshadowing 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



23 



roofs blackened by means of bitumen, tbe 
produce of a neighboring spring." 

At tbe mission there were 260 Indians at 
the end of this half decade, the community 
being broken up in 1845. At Santa Ynes 
the estate was restored to the management 
of the padres in 1843. The ex-neophyte 
population in 1845 was 270. From 12,000 
in 1841, the live-stock decreased to 2,000 in 
1845; and the whole value of property de- 
clined to $20,000 from $49,000, or even 
more. This estate was rented in 1848 to 
Jose M. Covarrubias and Joaquin Carrillo for 
$580 per year. 

At Purisima the remnants of the property 
were turned over to the padres in 1843, hav- 
ing been in charge of the manager of Santa 
Ynes during the preceding year. From this 
time on, there was no resident priest. In 
1844 most of the 200 remaining Indians died 
of small-pox, so that there were not over fifty 
left in 1845, when the Purisima Mission, 
barring the church property, was sold for 
$1,110, the purchaser being Temple, though 
the title was made out to J. R. Malo. During: 
the same year, Santa Barbara was rented to 
N. A. Den and Daniel Hill for $1,200, San 
Buenaventura to Arnaz and Botello for $1,630, 
and Santa Ynes to Covarrubias and Carrillo 
for $580. There is no further record con- 
cerning this mission, which appears thence- 
forward to have been entirely abandoned. 

The end of San Luis Obispo as a mission- 
ary establishment came with an order of the 
Governor in July, 1844, for the complete 
emancipation of the Indians and seculariza- 
tion of the mission. Accordingly a regular 
pueblo was formed, the town lands compris- 
ing all the vacant mission lands near, and 
distribution being made to the ex-neophyte-. 
However, no claim for pueblo lands was ever 
entered by the town. In December the ex- 
mission buildings, having the curate's house 



and some reserved for public uses, were sold 
for $510 ! *to Scott, Wilson and McKinley. 

After 1842, San Luis had spiritual charge 
of San Miguel. The administrador found 
himself unable to control the Indians, and 
Governor Alvarado instructed him to aban- 
don the effort. By 1845 all the property had 
disappeared, save the buildings, and these, 
valued at $5,800, were ordered sold at auc- 
tion. 

On July 16, 1844, San Luis Obispo w T as 
formally secularized and converted into a 
pueblo; its buildings were devoted to public 
uses, barring the missionary house, to con- 
tinue as a parsonage; the ditches remained 
free for the use of all; and to the pueblo were 
given two adjacent orchards and a league of 
land at La Laguna. At the same time, San 
Miguel received the vineyard called La Vina 
Mayor (the Greater Vineyard). The United 
States Courts confirmed this grant in later 
years. 

The lessees of Santa Barbara Mission prob- 
ably kept possession during 1846, 1848, and, 
although Den's title was confirmed by the 
Land Commission, it appears to have been 
practically annulled by later litigation. 

On June 8, 1846, San Buenaventura was 
sold to Jose Arnaz for $12,000. The title of 
Arnaz as purchaser was not recognized dur- 
ing the transition period of 1846-'48, and in 
1848 he was supplanted even as lessee, Isaac 
Callaghan obtaining a lease from Colonel 
Stevenson. There was a long litigation over 
Arnaz's title, which was finally continued. 

On June 10, Santa Barbara was sold to 
Eichard S. Den for $7,500. 

On June 15, 1846, Santa Ynes was sold 
for $7,000 to Joaquin Carrillo and Jose Ma- 
ria Covarrubias, who kept possession until 
after 1848,— this under their lease, however; 
their title by purchase was afterwards de- 
clared invalid. 



24 



PBS- AMERICAN HISTORY OF 



In 1845 San Luis Obispo Mission was sold 
to Scott, Wilson and McKinley for $510. 

They were not disturbed in their possession, 
and their title subsequently was declared valid. 

San Miguel was subject, spiritually and 
temporally, to the powers that were, in San 
Luis. It is known that this mission was sola, 
July 4, 1846, to Petronilos Rios and William 
Reed. The latter had lived here since 1745 
or earlier, and in September, 1847, the Gov- 
ernment gave orders that he be left in pos- 
session, the title to be left for later settlement. 
In December, 1848, Reed's home was visited 
by a party of five American tramps, formerly 
soldiers, whom he entertained for some days 
with a hospitality characteristic of the man. 
He was, however, unwise enough to let them 
know that he had in his possession a consid 
erable sum of gold, he haviug recently re 
turned from the mines where he had sold a 
flock of sheep. The dastards set out appar- 
ently to continue their journey, but, going 
only to Santa Margarita, they returned at 
night to the ex-mission, and basely murdered 
all its inhabitants, heaping the corpses all in 
one room, and plundering the place of the 
gold and its other valuables. The victims 
were William Reed, his wife Maria Antonio 
Vallejo with her unborn child, Josefa Olivera, 
a midwife who had gone thither to attend 
Mrs. Reed, Jose Ramon Yallejo, brother to 
Mrs. Reed, a daughter of the Reeds aged fif- 
teen, a son of two or three years, a 
nephew of four, a negro cook, an Indian 
servant over sixty years old, and his five- 
year-old nephew. When the news of this 
awful crime reached Santa Barbara a force of 
men set out in pursuit of the murderers, 
whom they overtook on the present site of 
Summerland (see "Bench and Bar.") One 
of the members, after being fatally wounded, 
shot and killed Ramon Rodriguez, who had 
rushed single-handed toward the marauders; 



one jumped into the sea, swam out beyond 
the kelp, and was drowned; and the other 
three, named Joseph Lynch, Peter Quin and 
Peter Raymond or Renner, were captured 
aud taken to Santa Barbara, where they were 
executed on December 28. 

TIIE WAK WITH MEXICO — CHANGE OF EULE. 

A very small part indeed, comparatively 
speaking, was that taken by Santa Barbara in 
the important occurrences of 1846-'47, which 
resulted in the conquest of California by the 
Americans. 

On May 13, 1846, was issued a call for a 
consejo general de los pueblos unidos (gen- 
gueral council of the united towns) to meet 
at Santa Barbara on June 15, to discuss the 
actual and the impeuding situation, and to 
deliberate on the future. This council was 
to consist of the governor aud eighteen dele- 
gates from the respective towns, together 
with certain representatives from the eccle- 
siastical and the military element. It was 
freely rumored that the object of this con- 
vention would be to invoke English interfer- 
ence between Mexico and the United States; 
b t ut on June 3 the Assembly suspended the 
action of the bando or call. 

Equally futile was the proclamation, sum- 
moning to a patriotic resistance the Mexican 
Californians, which Pio Pico issued from 
Santa Barbara on June 23, on learning of the 
taking of Sonoma. The Barbarenos would seem 
to have been practical, progressive and cautious. 

On August 4 or 5, Stockton, on his way 
down the coast, touched here and raised the 
American flag, leaving also a garrison of ten 
men under a midshipman, thus formally put- 
ting Santa Barbara under the rule of the 
Uuited States. These men were taken away 
on the Congress on September 7, being re- 
placed somewhat later from Fremont's bat- 
talion. 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



25 



When Gillespie's tactless and overbearing 
rule in Los Angeles brought about there an 
uprising, which resulted in his abandoning 
the field and inarching ta San Pedro, the 
Californians, having disposed of the Los An- 
geles garrison, set about dispossessing those 
of San Diego and Santa Barbara. Accord- 
ingly, about the first of October, a small 
force under Manuel Garfias demanded the 
surrender or parole of Lieutenant Talbot and 
his nine men. These were yonthful but ex- 
perienced mountaineers, and to avoid parole, 
they took to the open; for a week they kept 
in sight of the town, which they hoped 
might be retaken by a man-of-war. Then, 
being hard pressed by the Californians, who 
fired the brush to drive them out, they 
crossed the mountains and reached Monterey. 
After the flight of this garrison, the Ameri- 
cans living at Santa Barbara were arrested, 
and some were sent to Los Angeles as pris- 
oners, but most were paroled. In December, 
1846, and January, 1847, John C. Fremont 
with his battalion rested here for a week, on 
the way to Los Angeles and Cahuenga. 

On April 8, 1847, companies A, B and F, 
of Stevenson's regiment, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Burton, arrived at Santa Barbara, 
where Company F remained during its term 
of service. The other two left on July 4 for 
La Paz. Captain Lippitt remained in charge 
of this post. 

Toward the close of 1847, there were 
apprehensions of attack upon the Americans 
at Santa Barbara under Captain Lippitt, and 
the Governor, Colonel Richard B. Mason, 
went thither, where he was satisfied that, the 
strain of feeling, if any, was caused by the 
improper conduct of some of the Americans 
composing the garrison. 

In April, 1848, during the organization 
of forces to fight Indians, it transpired that a 
plot was on foot to direct these bodies toward 



wresting from the Americans the towns of 
Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. 

At this time, while popular excitement and 
official fears were both wrought up, the affair 
of " the lost cannon " happened, materially 
increasing the feeling of insecurity. This 
was a brass gun — some say a six-pounder, 
some cay of twice that caliber — which had 
belonged to the Elizabeth. It was left on 
the beach, while awaiting trans-shipment to 
Monterey, to be placed on the fortifications 
there. It disappeared on the night of April 
5, and all efforts to find it were unsuccessful. 
Some said it had been carried on a cart 
toward Los Angeles; others averred it had 
been put aboard a vessel; the authorities 
inclined to connect its disappearance with 
flying rumors of revolt, and to believe that it 
had been sequestrated by the Barbarenos, 
with a view towards turning it against its 
former owners. Local officials and promi- 
nent citizens were very indignant at this dis- 
trust, but the gun was not forthcoming. 
Therefore Governor Mason imposed a mili- 
tary tine of $500 upon the town, to be paid 
pro rata by all its inhabitants; the whole 
sum to be repaid to the town on discovery 
of the guilty individuals, or proof that they 
were not residents of Santa Barbara. A list 
of property- holders was made out, and each 
was assessed his portion of the $500. This 
caused great excitement and indignation, and 
not least among the American residents; the 
alcaldes offered their resignations, which 
were, however, not accepted; a company of 
dragoons was sent for from Los Angeles to 
enforce the payment of the fine. Still, while 
some paid, others would not do so, and so 
much of their property as was necessary to 
satisfy their assessments was seized and sold 
at public auction. It afterward transpired 
that five men had dragged away the gun with 
the aid of a yoke of oxen, and buriod it in 



-:g 



PRE-AMERICAN BISTORT OF 



the sand, at a spot that they could not re- 
locate. Their idea may have been one of 
pecuniary profit, or they may have designed 
to use the piece in a possible uprising against 
American rule. Be that as it may, no less 
than three streets of Santa Barbara still bear 
the names of men in commemoration of this 
event: — Mason, Quinientos [Five Hundred], 
and Canon Perdido [Lost Canon] streets. 

Not only in the nomenclatures of streets 
did the Barbarefios indicate the impres- 
sion left by this affair: the first seal of the 
city had emblazoned in its center the picture 
of a cannon encircled by the words "■ Yale 
quinientos pesos " — it is worth $500. This 
seal was used from 1851 to 1860, when a new 
one was devised, leaving out this emblem. 

The military governor of California in 
1850 returned to the prefect of this district 
the $500, with instructions to employ it in 
the construction of a jail. The city author- 
ities endeavored to obtain the money from its 
depository, and place it in the city treasury; 
but the prefect stated that, as he held the 
money in trust for a specific purpose, and was 
ready to pay it over when, but not before, the 
city, was ready to build the jail. The city 
attorney was instructed to begin a suit against 
the prefect to recover the money, and he 
accordingly did so. As the District Judge 
was a family connection of the defendant in 
the action, the case could not be tried here, 
and so was transferred to San Francisco. 
The papers relating to the matter were un- 
accountably lost, the trustee of the fund died, 
and as no new suit was instituted against his 
estate the fund was never recovered for the 
city. 

In the year 1858, a heavy rain caused the 
pent-up waters of the Estero to cut through 
the sand -bank separating it from the ocean, and 
the mystery of the lost cannon's whereabouts 
was solved as it was now discovered protrud- 



ing from one of the banks of this new chan- 
nel. Some of the native Californians com- 
pleted its disinterment, and hauled it in 
triumph up State street to de la Guerra. It 
was uninjured, clean, and bright. It was 
sold for $80 to a Jew, who sent it to San 
Francisco and sold it at a large profit for old 
brass. Thus Santa Barbara displayed no 
little inconsistency, in failing to retain and 
preserve here a relic of such memorable im- 
portance in local history. 



DRESS AND MANNERS. 



For fifteen or twenty years before Ameri- 
can occupation, the general conditions were 
much the same, save in a political sense, as 
they were for fifteen or twenty years after 
that period ; as the reader and the traveler of 
the present day find those conditions full of 
pictnresqueness and romance, it is desirable 
to give herein some account of the manners, 
customs, and usages of those times. 

At this period, Santa Barbara was, next to 
Monterey, the most important town in the 
territory. Here, as a general thing, paused 
en route for Monterey the governors sent up 
hither from Mexico, to rest and to learn 
something of the duties of their office. These 
and other visiting magnates usually were 
guests of the de la Gruerras, the Carrillos, 
or the Ortegas, these being the principal 
families. 

Here was the center of trade for a hundred 
miles around, and hither tended all roads and 
all riders. 

The houses were generally built in the 
shape of a parallelogram, sometimes of adobe 
walls only, sometimes a framework of tim- 
bers, filled in with adobe. The simplest 
form was a habitation of one room, with bare 
walls and clay floors. Houses of the better 
class had a species of piazza on one or more 
sides. Thatch roof were sometimes used, 



TEE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



27 



although tiling was the preferred material; not 
seldom the rafters were crossed by rods or 
tules, covered with a layer of mud or of as- 
phaltum. Generally the door, Avindow-frames 
and rafters constituted the only wood about 
the structure. The walls often were white- 
washed. The best of the houses were built 
after the Spanish fashion around z. patio or 
court, containing plants and sometimes a 
fountain. The floors were sometimes boarded, 
but more frequently were of earth. Some of 
the wealthier inhabitants had glass to their 
windows, but a grating was the more general 
rule. The kitchen was apart, in a separate 
shed or hut. The houses had no fire-places. 

In the poorer houses, the only furniture 
would be a handmill or a metall for grinding 
corn, and a few pieces of pottery or ironware 
for cooking purposes, the beds being com- 
posed of rawhides spread on the ground, and 
perhaps a hammock. Sometimes there was 
a table, and stools or benches. Joints of a 
whale's vertebrae were often used for chairs. 
Some had beds of poplar, lined with leather, 
and fitted with pillows, sheets, and blankets. 
Where there was linen, the slips were fre- 
quently used over silk, and enriched with 
drawn-work. After 1824, some of the richer 
families had rather handsome furniture — ■ 
mirrors, bureaus, and tables inlaid with shell, 
etc., brought from Peru or China. 

Up to 1834 the chief features of men's 
costumes were: Short and wide breeches, 
fastened at the knee above deerskin hoots, 
made like gaiters or leggings, and held up by 
gaily-embroidered garters or by bunches of 
ribbons; a wide and loose waist-coat, usually 
bine, open at the lower part to show the 
silken sash, generally crimson, or indeed, the 
two or three sashes with which the men often 
swathed themselves; over this a blue jacket, 
trimmed with big metal buttons. A silk 
handkerchief was knotted about the throat, 



another on the head; and the hat was wide- 
brimmed, low-crowned, and fastened by a 
string or loop passing under the chin. The 
hair was in a queue. 

Women of the middle class wore chemises 
with short sleeves, richly embroidered and 
trimmed with lace, a muslin petticoat flounced 
and belted with scarlet, shoes of velvet or 
satin, a cotton rebozo or headscarf, pearl neck- 
lace and earrings, and the hair hanging down 
the back in one or two braids. Others, of 
the higher class, dressed in the English style, 
wearing, instead of the rebozos, rich and costly 
shawls of silk, satin, or Chinese crape. The 
skirts were so narrow as to impede freedom 
of step in walking. 

When the Ilijar-Padres colony arrived, they 
brought new fashions. The breeches were 
replaced by calzoneras, a kind of trousers, 
whose outside seams were left unjoined, to be 
closed by means of buttons and button-holes. 
The hair was cut short in the back, but left 
quite long in the front. 

The women now exchanged their narrow 
skirts for more ample draperies, and coiled 
their braids on the crown of the head, 
around a comb. All women of means and 
position wore hose, as it was deemed immod- 
est to let more than the face and hands re- 
main uncovered. The poorer women, and old 
women in general, wore no gown over the 
petticoat, and on the waist a chemise with 
sleeves falling below the elbow. The neck 
and breast were covered by a black kerchief, 
of silk or cotton, doubled cornerwise, the 
corner being fastened at the back, the two 
points passing over the shoulders, and cross- 
ing, being fastened at the waist by pins. The 
more humble women retained and wore con- 
tinually the rebozo. Shoes had points turned 
up at both toe and heel. 

The dress of the Barbarefios is described as 
bavins consisted of " a broad-brimmed hat. 



PRE- AM E RIG AN HISTORY OF 



usually black, with a gilt or figured band 
around the crown, and lined with silk; a short 
jacket of silk or figured calico, the European 
skirted body-coat never being worn; a- shirt 
usually open at the neck ; a waistcoat,, 
when worn, always of ri<h quality ' T the 
trousers wide, straight, and long, usually of 
velvet, velveteen, or broadcloth; occasionally 
knee-breeches are worn with white stockings; 
shoes of deerskin are used; they are of* a dark 
brown color, and being made by the Indians, 
are commonly much ornamented; braces are 
never worn, the indispensable sash twisted 
around the waist serving all their purposes; 
the sash is usually red, and varies in quality 
according to the means of the wearer; if to 
this is added the never- failing cloak, the dress 
of the Californian is complete. The latter 
article of dress, however, is a never-failing 
criterion of the rank or wealth of its owner. 
The caballero, or gentleman aristocrat, wears 
a cloak of black or dark blue broadcloth, with 
as much velvet and trimming on it as it is 
possible to put there; from this, the cloaks 
gradually descend through all grades until 
the primitive blanket of the Indian is reached. 
The middle class wear a species of cloak very 
much resembling a table-cloth, with a large 
hole in the center for the head to go through; 
this is often as coarse as a blanket, but it is 
generally beautifully woven with various col- 
ors, and has a showy appearance at a distance. 
There is no working class amongst the Span- 
iards, the Indians doing all the hard work; 
thus a rich man looks and dresses like a 
grandee, whilst even a miserably poor indi- 
vidual has the appearance of a broken-down 
gentleman; it is not, therefore, by any means 
uncommon to see a man with a fine figure 
and courteous manner, dressed in broadcloth 
or velvet, and mounted on a noble horse, 
completely covered with trappings, who 
perhaps has not a real in his pocket, 



and may even be suffering from absolute 
hunger." 

There was one feature peculiar to the women 
of Santa Barbara, all of whom wore a camorra 
— a black silk kerchief, folded into a band, 
about two inches wide, tied around the fore- 
head and into a knot under the nape of the 
neck. 

Wealthy women wore diamond rings, pearl 
or golden necklaces, and ear-hoops or rings 
and other jewelry. 

At this time, almost the only means of 
communication between ranchos or settle- 
ments was by horse; and no race in the world,, 
perhaps the Bedouins not excepted, were 
better riders than the Californians. Horses 
were constantly kept standing saddled at the 
doors of stores and dwellings, and walking 
was a means of progression in great disfavor, 
even for the shortest distances. Tailing the 
bull, lasso-throwing, and many other feats of 
strength and skill were practiced by the 
young Californians. They were great lovers 
of sport and amusements, and races, dances ? 
etc., were improvised upon the slightest in- 
ducement. The guitar was almost the only 
musical instrument, although a few harps 
were introduced during the last few years be- 
fore American occupation. 

The arrivals of the trading ships were 
events among these people. The vessels had 
a cabin fitted up as a shop or salesroom, and 
thither nocked the housewives, to buy domes- 
tic utensils, trinkets, and fabrics, of ten of the 
very finest, to be paid for by the head of the 
house in hides and tallow. As payment on 
a cash basis hardly even entered into the 
transaction, the rancheros keeping a running 
account with the traders, these latter practi- 
cally had the simple-hearted provincials at 
their mercy, all the more that the price of 
wares was rarely asked before or at the time 
of purchase. 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



U9 



Perhaps the most graphic description of 
the coixntry and its people is that given by 
Richard Henry Dana, in his u Two Years 
Before the Mast," which is an account of his 
voyage to, and sojourn on, the coast of Cali- 
fornia, in a trading vessel, 1836-'88. Ac- 
cordingly some extracts are given. 

DANA ON SANTA BARBARA. 

The bav, as it was commonly called, the canal Jchara 
oel] of Santa Barbara, is very large, being formed by 
the main land on one side ^between Point Concepcion 
on the north and Point San Buenaventura on the 
south], which here bends like a crescent, and by three 
iarge islands opposite to it and at a distance of some 
twenty miles. 

These points are just sufficient to give it the name 
of a bag, while at the same time it is so large and so 
much exposed to the southeast and northwest winds 
that it is little better than an open roadstead; and the 
whole swell of the Pacific Ocean rolls in here before a 
southeaster, and breaks with so heavy a surf in the 
shallow waters that it is highly dangerous to lie in 
near to the shore during the southeaster season, that 
is, between the months of November and April. 

Two points run out as the horns of the cresent, one 
of which, that to the westward, is low and sandy, and 
that to which vessels are obliged to give a wide berth 
when running out for a southeaster; the other is high, 
bold, and well-wooded. 

In the middle of this crescent, directly opposite the 
anchoring ground, lies the Mission and town of Santa 
Barbara, on a low plain, but little above the level of 
the sea, covered with grass, though entirely without 
trees, and surrounded on three sides by an amphi- 
theater of mountains, which start off to a distance of 
fifteen to twenty miles. The Mission stands a little 
back of the town, and is a large building, or rather 
collection of buildings, in the center of which is a high 
tower with a belfry of five bells. The town lies a little 
nearer to the beach — about half a mile from it — and is 
composed of one-story nouses, built of sun-baked clay 
or adobe, some of them whitewashed, with red tiles on 
the roofs. I should judge that there were about a 
hundred of them; and in the midst of them stands the 
presidio, or fort, built of the same material and appar- 
ently but little stronger. The town is finely situated, 
with a bay in front and amphitheater of hills behind. 
The only thing that diminishes its beauty is that the 
hills have no large trees upon them, they having been 
all burnt by a great fire which swept them off about a 
dozen years ago, and they have not grown again. The 



fire was described to me by an inhabitant as having 
been a very terrible and magnificent sight. The air of 
the valley was so heated that the people were obliged 
to leave town and take up their quarters for several 
days upon the beach. * * * We lay at a distance 
of three miles from the beach, and the town was nearly 
a mile farther, so that we saw little or nothing of it. * 
* * We were pulled ashore in the boat, and took our 
way for the town. There everything wore the appear- 
ance of a holiday. The people were dressed in their 
best, the men riding about among the houses, and the 
women sitting on carpets before the doors. Under the 
piazza of a pulperia twolmen were seated, decked out 
with knots of ribbons and b mquets, aud playing the 
violin and the Spanish guitar. These are the only in- 
struments, with the exception of the drums and 
trumpets at Monterey, that I ever heard in California, 
and I suspect they play upon no others, for at a great 
fandango, at which I was afterward present, and where 
they mustered all the music they could find, there 
were three violins and two guitars aud no other in- 
struments. 

Inquiring for an American who, we had been told, 
had married in the place, and kept a shop, we were 
directed to a long, low building, at the end of which 
was a door with a sign over it, in Spanish. Entering 
the shop we found no one in it, and the whole had an 
empty, deserted air. In a few minutes the man made 
his appearance and apologized for having nothing to 
entertain us with, saying that he had had a fandango 
at his house the night before, and the people had eaten 
and drank up everything. " O, yes]" said I, " Easter 
holidays!" "No," said he, with a singular expression 
on his face, "I had a 1 ittle daughter die the other day, and 
that's the custom of the country." At this I felt some- 
what awkwardly, not knowing what to say, and wheth- 
er to offer consolation or not, and was beginning to 
retire, when he opened a side door, and told us to walk 
in. Here I was no less astonished for I found a large 
room, filled with young girls, from three or four years 
old up to fifteen or sixteen, dressed all in white, with 
wreaths of flowers on their heads, and bouquets in their 
hands. Following our conductor among these girls, 
who were playing about in high spirits, we came to a 
table at the end of the room, covered with a white 
cloth, on which lay a coffin about three feet long, with 
the body of his child. The coffin was covered with 
white cloth and lined with white satin, and was strewn 
with flowers. 

Through an open door we saw in another room a 
few elderly people in common dress, while the benches 
and tables, thrown up in a corner, and the stained 
walls, gave evidences of the last night's ''high go." 
Feeling like Garrick, between tragedy and comedy, 
an uncertainty of purpose, I asked the man when the 



30 



PBE-AME1UCAN HI8T0RY OF 



funeral would take place ; and, being told that it would 
move toward the Mission in about an hour, took my 
leave. To pass away the time, we took horses and 
rode to the beach. * * * From the beach we re- 
turned to the town, and findiDg that the funeral pro 
cession had moved, rode on and overtook it, about half 
way up to the Mission. Here was as peculiar a sight 
as we had seen before in the house, the one looking as 
much like a funeral procession as the other did like a 
house of mourning. The little coffin was borne by 
eight girls who were continually relieved by others 
running forward from the procession and taking their 
places. Behind it came a straggling company of girls, 
dressed, as before, in white and flowers, and including, 
I should judge by their numbers, all the girls between 
five and fifteen in the place. They played along the 
way, frequently stopping and running altogether to 
talk to someone, or to pick up a flower, and then run- 
ning on again to overtake the coffin. There were a 
few elderly women in common colors, and a herd of 
young men and boys, some on foot and others mount- 
ed, following them, or rode or walked by their side, 
frequently interrupting them by jokes and questions. 
But the most singular thing of all was that two men 
walked, one on each side of the coffin, carrying 
muskets in their hands, which they continually loaded 
and fired into the air. Whether this was to keep off 
the evil spirits or no I do not know. It was the only 
interpretation that I could put upon it. As we drew 
near the Mission, we saw the great gate thrown open, 
and the paclre standing on the steps with a crucifix in 
his hand. The Mission is a large and deserted-look- 
ing place, the out-buildings going to ruin, and every- 
thing giving one the impression of decayed grandeur. 
A large stone fountain threw out pure water from 
four mouths into a basin before the church door; and 
we were on the point of riding up to let our horses 
drink when it occurred to us that it might be conse- 
crated, and we forbore. Just at this moment the bells 
set up their harsh, discordant clangor, and the pro- 
cession moved into the court. I wished to follow and 
see the ceremony, but the horse of one of my compan 
ions had become frightened and was tearing off toward 
the town, * * * and I was obliged to leave the 
ceremony and ride after him. 

A. very apposite phase is illustrated by the 
following description: 

Great preparations were now being made on shore 
for the marriage of our agent, who was to marry Dona 
Anita de la Guerra y Noriega y Carrillo, youngest 
daughter of Don Antonio Noriega, the grandee of the 
place, and the head of the first family in California. 
Our steward was ashore three days making pastry 
and cake, and some of the best of our stores were sent 



off with him. On the day appointed for the wedding 
we took the Captain ashore in a gig, and had orders 
to come for him at night, with leave to go up to the 
house and see the fandango. 

At 10 o'clock the bride went up with her sister to 
the confessional, dressed in black. Nearly an hour 
intervened when the great doors of the Mission church 
opened, the bells rang out a loud discordant peal, and 
the bride, dressed in complete white, came out of ihe 
church with the bridegroom, followed by a long pro- 
cession. Just as she stepped from the church door a 
small white cloud issued from the bows of our ship, 
which was full in sight, the loud report echoed among 
the hills and over the bay, and instantly the ship was 
dressed in flags and pennants from stem to stern. 
Twenty-three guns followed in regular succession, 
with intervals of fifteen seconds between, when the 
cloud blew off and our ship lay dressed in colors all 
day. At sundown another salute of the same number 
of guns was fired, and all the flags rnn down. 

The bride's father's house was the principal one in 
the place, with a large court in front upon which a 
tent was built, capable of containing several hundred 
people. Going in, we lound nearly all the people of 
the town— men, women and children — collected and 
crowded together, leaving barely room for the danc- 
ers; for on these occasions no invitations are given, 
but everyone is expected to come, though there is 
always a private entertainment within the house for 
particular friends. The old women sat down in rows, 
clapping their hands to the music, and applauding the 
young ones. 

The music was lively, and among the tunes we rec- 
ognized several of our popular airs, which we, no 
doubt, have taken from the Spanish. In the dancing 
I was much disappointed. The women stood upright 
with their hands down by their sides, their eyes fixed 
upon the ground before them, and slid about without 
any perceptible means of motion; for their feet were 
invisible, the hem of their dresses forming a circle 
about them, reaching to the ground. They looked as 
grave as if going through some religious ceremony, 
their faces as little excited as their limbs, and, on the 
whole, instead of the spirited, fascinating Spanish 
dances which I had expected, I found the California 
fandango, on the part of the women at least, a lifeless 
affair. The men did better. They danced with grace 
and spirit, moving in circles around their nearly sta- 
tionary partners, and showing their figures to advan- 
tage. A great deal was said about our friend Don 
Juan Bandini, and when he did appear, which was 
toward the close of the evening, he certainly gave us 
the most graceful dancing that I had ever seen. He 
was dressed in white pantaloons, neatly made, a short 
jacket of dark silk, gaily figured, white stockings and 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



31 



(bin morocco slippers upon his very small feet. His 
slight and graceful figure was well adapted to danc- 
ing, and he moved about with the grace and dainti- 
ness of a young fawn. He was loudly applauded, and 
danced frequently toward the close of the evening. 
After the supper the waltzing began, which was con- 
fined to a very few of tbe "gente de rason," and was 
considered a high accomplishment and a mark of 
aristocracy. Here, too, Don Juan figured greatly, 
waltzing with the sister of the bride-(Doha Angustias, 
a handsome woman and a general favorite) in a vari- 
ety of beautiful figures, which lasted as much as half 
an hour, no one else taking the floor. They were re- 
peatedly and loudly applauded, the old men and 
women jumping off their seats in admiration, and the 
young people waving their hats and handkerchiefs. 

The great amusement of the evening — owing to its 
being the carnival — was the breaking of eggs filled 
with cologne or other essences upon the heads of the 
company. The women bring a great number of these 
secretly about them, and the amusement is to break 
one secretly upon the head of a gentleman when his 
back is turned. He is bound in gallantry to find out 
the lady and return the compliment, though it must 
not be done if the person sees you. A tall, stately 
D.>n, with irumense gray whiskers, and a look of 
great importance, was standing before me, when I 
felt a hand upon my shoulder, and, turning round, 
saw Dona Angustias (whom we all knew, as she had 
been up to Monterey and down again in the Alert), 
with her finger upon her lip, motioning me gently 
aside. I stepped back a little, when she went up be- 
hind the Don and with one hand knocked off his huge 
sombrero and at the same instant with the other broke 
the egg upon his head, and, springing behind me, was 
out of sight in a moment. The Don turned slowly j 
around, the cologne running down his face and over 
his clothes and a loud laugh breaking out from every 
quarter. A great many such tricks were played, and 
many a war of sharp maneuvering was carried on 
between couples of the younger people, and at every 
successful exploit a general laugh was raised. 

Another of their games I was for some time at a lo s 
about. A pretty young girl was dancing, named 
— after what would appear to us an almost sacrilegious 
custom of the country — Espiritu Santo, when a young 
man went behind her and placed his hat directly upon 
her head, letting it fall down over her eyes, and sprang 
back among the crowd. She danced for some time 
with the hat on, when she threw it off, which called 
forth a general shout, and the young man was obliged 
to go out upon the floor and pick it up. I soon began 
to suspect the meaning of the thing, and was after- 
ward told that it was a compliment, and an offer-to 
become the lady's gallant for the rest of the evening, 
aod to wait upon her home * * * 



These fandangos generally lasted three days. The 
next day two of us were sent up town and took care 
to come back by way of Sehor Noriega's and take a 
look into the booth. The musicians were again there 
upon their platform, scraping and twanging away, 
and a few people, apparently of the lower classes, 
were dancing. The dancing is kept up at intervals 
throughout the day, but the crowd, the spirit, and the 
elite, come at night. The next night, which was the 
last, we went ashore in the same manner, until we got 
almost tired of the monotonous twang of the instru- 
ments, the drawling sounds which the women kept up 
as an accompaniment, and the slapping of the hands 
in time with the music in place of castanets. 

We heard some talk about "caballos" and 
" carrera," and seeing the people streaming off in one 
direction, we followed, and came upon a level piece 
of ground just outside of the town, which was used 
as a race-course. Here the crowd soon became thick 
again, the ground was marked off, the judges stationed, 
and the horses led up to one end. Two fine-looking 
old gentlemen — Don Carlos and Don Domingo, so- 
called — held the stakes, and all was now ready. We 
waited some time, during which we could just see the 
horses, twisting aound and turning, until at length 
there was a shout along the lines and on they came, 
heads stretched out and eyes starting, working all 
over, both man and beast. The steeds came by us like 
a couple of chain-shot, neck and neck, and now we 
could see nothing but their backs and their hind hoofs 
flying through the air. As fast as the horses passed, 
the crowd broke up behind them and ran to the goal. 
When we got there we found the horses returning on 
a slow walk, having run lar beyond the mark, an i heard 
that the long bony one had come in head and shoulders 
before the other. The riders were light-built men, had 
handkerchiefs tied around their heads, and were bare- 
armed and bare-legged. The horses were noble-looking 
beasts, not so sleek and combed as our Boston stable 
horses, but with fine limbs and spirited eyes. 

THE PIONEERS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS. 

At each of the California missions a com- 
pany of soldiers was stationed. In Santa 
Barbara the soldiers occupied a square called 
the presidio. This was about 250 yards 
square, surrounded by a high adobe wall, in- 
side of which were a church and buildings, 
constructed of adobe, roofed with tiles, and 
used for shelter by the soldiers. This church 
was standing until 1853, when a portion of 
the roof fell; the adobe walls, being thus 



32 



PRE-AMEBIGAN HISTORY OF 



exposed to rain, soon crumbled away. A part 
of one of the buttresses still stands near Santa 
Barbara Street, west of Canon Perdido Street. 

A portion of the Californian population of 
Santa Barbara are descendants of the soldiers 
of this garrison, who married natives; others 
are descendants from immigrants from old 
Spain and other parts of Europe, from Mex- 
ico, South America, and the United States. 

It is generally conceded that the leading 
Spanish family in Santa Barbara has been that 
of de la Guerra, often wrongly called Noriega, 
from a misapprehension of the Spanish cus- 
tom by which the children of a family add 
their mother's patronymic with the prefix 
"y" ("and") after their father's; this, how- 
ever, is a matter of compliment to the 
mother, and the father's remains the lawful 
family name. Thus the founder of this 
family, from its mother being a Noriega, was 
called de la Guerra y Noriega, while his 
children, whose mother was a Carrillo, wrote 
their name de la Guerra y Carrillo* 

Don Jose de la Guerra y Noriega was 
born in 1776, at No vales, province of San- 
tander, Spain, of an honorable amily, whose 
coat of arms carries their record back to 
the time of the Moors. The house where 
he was born still stands, an imposing edifice 
of Novales, over a century old, with the 
family arms cut in stone over the two great 
gateways; it covers a block of land in the 
principal town of the province. 

Young de la Guerra was sent out to a kins- 
man, a wealthy merchant in Mexico, but he 
soon sought and obtained a cadetship in the 
royal army, and in 1800 was appointed ensign 
in a company stationed at Monterey, Cali- 
fornia, where he joined it in 1801. In 1804 he 
married Dona Maria Antonio, daughter of 
Don Raymundo Carrillo, then com m andante 
of the presidio of Santa Barbara; and in 1806 
he was 6ent hither as the company's lieu- 



tenant. In 1810 he was appointed Habilitado 
General from both Californias to the Yice- 
Royal Government in Mexico, and, proceed- 
ing toward the capital with his family, he 
was captured at San Bias by the Mexican 
patriots, then in revolt against the govern- 
ment of Spain, he escaping with his life,, 
while the other men captured with him were 
assassinated. The revolution had deprived 
him of his office; therefore he started back to 
California; and, performing on the way mili- 
tary service which gave him a better footing 
with the government, he was appointed in 
1811 to the command of troops stationed at 
San Diego, where for several years he dwelt 
with his family. In 1817 he was appointed 
captain and commandante of the troops and 
Santa Barbara, and here was his home there- 
after, with a brief interregnum, when he went 
to Mexico again as Habilitado General. He 
was continued in office as captain and com- 
mandante until 1828, when he was sent as 
deputy to the Mexican Congress; but, on 
reaching the capital, he found his seat con- 
tested, and his opponent triumphed. Don 
Jose now renounced politics and engaged in 
farming and stock-raising on a large scale, 
favored by the secularization of the missions. 
Within a few years he was owner of eight of 
the principal ranchos of the district, including 
Las Posas, Simf, Conejo, San Julian, and 
others. The ability, integrity, and kindness 
of this man made him a power among his 
neighbors, his advice and influeuce being 
almost without limit. He was always an 
arbiter in misunderstandings among his own 
people, as well as between these and the for- 
eigners who soon came into the country. 

His wife, Maria Antonia Carrillo, was re- 
garded as one of the most charitable and 
benevolent women of the age. 

This worthy pair had seven sons and four 
daughters, and a brief resume of their mar- 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



33 



riages and descendants will show the impor- 
tant part that this family has continued to 
play in local history, as well as the fertility 
of the race. 

The eldest son, Jose Antonio de la Guerra 
y Carrillo, married Concepcion Ortega. 
Their children were : Jose Antonio, Jose 
Ramon (graduated at Georgetown, District 
of Columbia), Guillermo and Alejandro, 
sons; Dolores, Catarina, Lola, Cristina, and 
Juana, daughters. 

Second son, Juan, was considered the ablest 
in the family, but died early; was educated in 
England, being graduated from three colleges. 

Third son, Francisco, married Ascencion 
Sepiilveda, and by her had a son, Francisco, 
and a daughter, Maria Antonia. His second 
wife was Concepcion Sepiilveda, sister of the 
former wife; by her he had Juan, Osboldo, 
Jose Hercules, Pablo, and Hanibal, sons; and 
Anita (Mrs. F. W. Thompson), Herlinda, 
Rosa, and Diana, daughters. 

Fourth son, Pablo, married Josefa Moreno, 
and had Francisca (Mrs. T. B. Dibblee), 
Delfina (one of twins), Herminia,[and Pau- 
lina, all daughters. 

Fifth son, Miguel, married Trinidad Or- 
tega; their children were: Gaspar, Ulpiano, 
and Leon, sons, and Maria (Mrs. Taylor), 
Josefa, Olympia, Joaquina, and Paulina, 
daughters. 

Sixth son, Joaquin, was for a time sheriff 
of Santa Barbara County. He never marrted. 

Of the daughters of Jose" de la Guerra y 
Noriega, Teresa, the eldest, married William 
E. P. Hartnell, of England, and by him had 
twenty-two children, as follows: Guillermo, 
Juan, Alvano ,Nataniel, George, Franco, Ben- 
jamin, Teresa, Matilde, Anita, Magdalena, 
Amelia, and others whose names cannot be had. 

The second daughter, Maria de las Augus- 
tias, was married to Manuel Jimeno of Mex- 
ico, who was subsequently secretary to several 



of the governors of California, and intimately 
connected with land matters after seculariza- 
tion of the missions. Maria had Manuela, 
Maria Antonia, Augustias, Carolina, daugh- 
ters; and Jose Antonio, Porfirio. Santiago, 
Enrique, Belisario, Juan and Alfredo, chil- 
dren by this marriage; and by her second 
marriage to Dr. Ord, of the United States 
navy, one daughter, Rebecca Ord. 

The third daughter, Ana Maria Antonia, 
married to Alfred Robinson, of Boston, 
Massachusetts, had James, Alfredo, Miguel, 
and another James, sons; Elena, Maria, An- 
tonia, and Paulina, daughters. 

This lady was the bride referred to in 
Dana's account of Santa Barbara. Alfred 
Robinson came from Boston in 1829, on the 
ship Brooklyn, owned by Bryant, Sturgis, 
and others. He was for many years engaged 
in mercantile business, and was the first agent 
of the Pacific Steamboat Company in 1849. 
The first son, James, for whom the youngest 
was named, died at West Point when seven- 
teen years old. 

The fourth and yourgest daughter of Don 
Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, named Antonia 
Maria, married first Cesario Lataillade of 
Spain, by whom she had Cesario, Jr., and 
Maria Antonia; contracting a second mar- 
riage with Gaspar Orena of Spain, she had 
Anita, Serena, Rosa, Acacia, and Teresa, 
daughters; and Leopoldo, Dario, Orestes, 
and Arturo, sons. This lady, Mrs. Orena, 
was considered the greatest beauty of the de 
la Guerra family, or even of the coast. 

One of the sons of Don Jose - was Don Pablo 
de la Guerra, a member of the first constitu- 
tional convention of California, who, in his 
life-time, was severally Senator, District 
Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, and 
Lieutenant Governor of the State. He was 
a courteous, intelligent, upright man. He 
died February 5, 1874. 



34 



PBE-AMEBICAN HISTORY OF 



His predecessor as District Judge was Don 
Joaquin Carrillo. Judge Carrillo was the 
first County Judge of this county, and was 
elected to the district bench in 1852, and 
served in this capacity eleven years. He 
neither spoke nor understood the English 
language; all proceedings in his court were 
conducted in Spanish. His mind was broad 
and easily grasped and mastered the most 
subtle and complicated cases. He based his 
decisions upon the principles of equity, rather 
than law. Don Joaquin Carrillo was a warm 
friend of the Americans. He died February 
19, 1868, beloved and lamented. 

Another of the prominent families, whose 
members are now counted by the hundred, 
was founded by Don Raymundo Carrillo, 
one of the first commanders of the posts of 
San Diego and Santa Barbara. He married 
Tomasa Lugo, daughter of one of the oldest 
soldiers stationed at Santa Barbara. They 
had four sons and one daughter, Maria An- 
tonia, already mentioned as the wife of Jose 
de la Guerra y Noriega, and mother of the 
de la Guerra y Carrillo family. 

The first son of Raymundo Carrillo, Carlos 
Antonio, married Maria, sister of Governor 
Castro, and by her had sons : Jose, who 
married Catarina Ortega; Pedro, who married 
Josef a Bandini; Jose Jesus, wedded to Tomasa 
Gutierrez; and daughters, Maria Josefa, who 
married William G. Dana; Encarnacion, wife 
of Thomas Robbins; Francisca, wedded to 
Alpheus Thompson; Manuela, married to 
John C. Jones; Maria Antonia, spouse of 
Lewis C. Burton; and two other daughters, 
who died young — -in all ten children. 

Anastacio, Carrillo's second son, married 
Concepcion Garcia. Their children were: 
Raymundo, who married Dolores Ortega; 
Francisco, dead; Luis, married to Refugio 
Ortega; Guillermo, whose wife was Manuela 
Ortega; and daughters, Micaela, dead; Man- 



uela, married to Joaquin Carrillo; and Sole- 
dad, dead. 

Domingo Carrillo, the third son, married 
Concepcion Pico. They had sons: Joaquin, 
married to his cousin, Manuela Carrillo; 
Jose" Antonio, who married Felicitas Gu- 
tierrez; Francisco, whose wife was Dorotea 
Lugo; Alejandro, dead; Felipe, dead; and 
daughters, Maria, wife of J. M. Covarrubias; 
Angela, married to Ygnacio del Yalle; and 
Maria Antonia, dead. 

Jose Antonio Carrillo, the fourth son, 
married Estefana Pico. His daughter was 
Luis (or Lewis) Burton's second wife, mother 
of Ben Burton. 

The Ortega family was of the sangre azul, 
or blue blood of Castile, Spain. Some of 
this family emigrated to Guadalaxara, Mex- 
ico, and the founder of the California branch 
was for a time commandante of a cavalry 
company at Loreto, in La Baja, or Lower 
California, where were born to him, Captain 
Jose Maria Ortega, and his wife, Antonia 
Carrillo, seven children: Ygnacio, Jose Ma- 
ria, Jose Yicente, Francisco and Juan; and 
Maria Luisa and Maria Antonia, daughters. 

Ygnacio Ortega married Francisca Lopez, 
and had sons: Martin, married to Ynocencia 
Moraga; Jose Yicente, who married Maria 
Estefana Olivera; and Antonio Maria Jose 
Dolores, Jose de Jes.us and Joaquin, who 
did not marry; also daughters, Pilar, spouse 
of «the doughty Santiago Arguello; Soledad, 
wife of Luis Arguello; Maria de Jesus, mar- 
ried to Jose Ramirez; Concepcion, who mar- 
ried Jose Antonio de la Guerra; and Cata- 
rina, wife of Jose Carrillo. 

Jose Yicente, second son of Captain Or- 
tega, was the founder of the Refugio Rancho, 
which is still possessed by the family. 

Juan Ortega, the fourth son, married Ra- 
faela Arrellanez. Their children were: Emi- 
dio, married to Concepcion Dominguez; and 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



35 



daughters, Maria, wife of Guadalupe Her- 
nandez; Buenaventura, wife of Joaquin Cota; 
Maria Antonia, wife of Pedro Dejeme; and 
Maria de Jesus, who married Fernando Tico. 

Jose Vicente, son of Ygnacio, and grand- 
son of Captain Ortega, married Maria Este- 
fana Olivera, daughter of Ygnacio Olivera, 
of Los Angeles. The Oliveras were of old 
Castilian stock, with chivalric ideas of court- 
esy and honor. Diego Olivera, who died a 
few years since, wore the old-time garb, with 
silk stockings, shoes with jeweled , buckles, 
and the sword to bear which he had hered- 
itary right. It bore engraved the time- 
honored Spanish motto — u No me saques sin 
razon, no me emvaines sin honor (" Draw 
me not in unjust cause, sheath me not with 
honor dimmed"). This Diego Olivera was 
brother to Maria Estefana, who gave her hus- 
band children as follows: Two sons named 
Luis, who both died young; Manuel, who 
died somewhat later; Pedro, and one daugh- 
ter, Rafaela Luisa, wife of Daniel Hill. 

Daniel Hill and his wife, Rafaela Luisa, 
had children as follows: Rosa, wife of Nich- 
olas A. Den; Josefa, wife of Alexander S. 
Taylor; Susana, wife of T. Wallace More; 
Maria Antonia, wife of H. O'Neill; Lucre- 
cia, died young; Adelaida, Helena, daugh- 
ters; and' Vicente, Jose Maria, Jnan, Tomas, 
Ramon, Enrique and Daniel, sons. 

The Cotas were another important family, 
allied by intermarriage with various names 
which appear on the page of history. At 
least two women of this family are deserving 
of mention here, they being also grand- 
daughters of that Corporal Antonio Maria 
Lugo who came up from Los Angeles to 
assist in repulsing the "pirate" Bouchard, in 
1818. Maria Los Angeles Cota de la Torre, 
daughter of Don Pablo Cota, ensign of the 
Santa Barbara company, and of Dona Rosa 
Lugo, was born at Santa Barbara in 1790. 



At thirteen years of age she was married to 
Don Jose Joaquin de la Torre, cadet and 
commissary at Monterey, and afterwards sec- 
retary to Governor Sola. She died at Mon- 
terey in 1877, aged eighty-seven years, after 
seventy-four years of married life. She left 
three sons, three daughters, forty-three grand- 
children, thirty-four great-grandchildren, and 
several great-great-grandchildren. 

Maria Ysabel Cota de Pico was born at 
Santa Barbara, May, 1783. At nineteen 
years old she married Jose Dolores Pico, one 
of three brothers who came to California 
with the first Mexican colony as officers in 
the military service of the Spanish Vice- 
royalty in Mexico. Her husband died in 
1827, after fifty years of military service. 
Of this marriage were born thirteen children, 
who, with their cousins, the Castros, children 
of their father's brothers, and allies by mar- 
riage, were all powerful in the affairs of gov- 
ernment in California at the time of the 
American invasion. This lady was over 
eighty-six years old when she died. Her 
descendants numbered over 300, including 
one of the sixth generation; nearly all live 
in this State, and they bear the names of the 
most prominent native families, as well as of 
many leading American citizens intermarried 
with them. 

Raymundo Olivas, born in Los Angeles in 
1801, came northward in 1821. He was the 
original grantee of the San Miguelito or Cas- 
itas Rancho, granted in 1840. He and his 
wife had twenty-one children. In 1883 he 
had under his roof in Ventura County, he 
then being nearly eighty and his wife sixty 
years old, forty-three descendants, of whom 
eighteen were their sons and daughters. 
Moreover, a daughter living at Santa Cruz 
had already done somewhat toward sustain- 
ing the family record, in presenting the 
country with ten children. 



86 



PRE- AMEBIC AN HISTORY OF 



There were other eminent families, bears 
ing the names of Del Valle, Arnaz, Camar- 
illo, etc., although the Del Valles, a notable 
family, now belong properly to Ventura 
County. 

Among the pioneers not of Spanish or 
Mexican blood were the following: 

Joseph Chapman, of Massachusetts, cap- 
tured from Bouchard's privateer in 1818; 
settled for a time in Los Angeles County 
with the Lugos; married Guadalupe Ortega, 
of Santa Barbara; he built and lived in the 
adobe house still standing in the rear of the 
Episcopal church; died in 1848, leaving 
many descendants. 

Captain James W. Burke, a native of Ire- 
land, arrived here from Lima in 1820, and 
settled permanently in 1828. 

William E. P. Hartnell, an Englishman, 
came here in 1822. He was a notable linguist; 
was Government translator at Monterey, and 
translated the statutes into Spanish. He 
married Teresa de la Guerra, daughter of 
Don Jose, and they had twenty-two children, 
of whom a number are still living in this 
county and San Luis. He died in 1854. 

Captain Thomas Bobbins, a native of Nan- 
tucket, came here in 1827. He owned the 
Bancho Las Positas y Calera, adjoining Santa 
Barbara. Died in 1857. 

Captain William G. Dana came from Bos- 
ton in 1827. He lived mostly at his rancho, 
Nipomo, in San Luis County, where he died 
in 1857, and where are still living a number 
of the twenty-two children borne him by his 
wife, Maria Josefa Carrillo. 

Alfred Bobinson came hither from Boston 
in 1829, on the ship Brooklyn. He married 
Ana Maria Antonia de la Guerra; was the 
first agent of the Pacific Steamship Com- 
pany in 1849, and was for many years a 
leading merchant. He is a gentleman of 
intelligence and refinement, and generally 



esteemed. He still lives in San Francisco. 
He is the author of a work, "Life in Cali- 
fornia," published in 1846, and now quite 
rare. 

Bobert Elwell, of Boston, arrived in 1825. 
He was favorably known by all the old citi- 
zens. He had a pithy way of expression. 
One of his sayings was the following: " In 
politics, I am a Whig; in religion, a Uni- 
tarian. I am also a Freemason, and if these 
won't take a man to Heaven, I don't know 
what will." He died in 1853. 

Daniel A. Hill, of Billerica, Massachusetts, 
came from the Sandwich Islands to Monterey 
in 1823, and settled in Santa Barbara the 
following year. He was the original grantee 
of La Goleta Bancho, where he died in 1865. 
He left a large family, who, witli their 
descendants, still reside in Santa Barbara 
County. 

James Buck, of Boston, Massachusetts, 
arrived from the Sandwich Islands in 1829. 
His descandants still have a home here. 

Captain Alpheus B. Thompson, of Bruns- 
wick, Maine, arrived here from Honolulu in 
1834. As merchant and ship-master he did 
business here many years. Three of his 
children, C. A. Thompson, A. B. Thompson 
and Mrs. E. Van Valkenburg are now residents 
of this vicinity. A. B. Thompson was for 
twelve years the County Clerk of Santa Bar- 
bara County. Captain Thompson died at 
Los Angeles in the year 1870. 

Augustin Jansen, of Belgium, arrived here 
from Mexico in August, 1834. He has been 
County Assessor of this county, and a mem- 
ber of the common council of Santa Barbara 
city. 

Julian Foxen arrived in 1828 from En- 
gland. He was a man of notable character. 
He died on his rancho, the Tinaquaic, in 
February, 1874, leaving many descendants. 

Lewis F. Burton, of Henry County, Ten- 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



37 



nessee, came here in 1831, and engaged in 
otter-hunting, and later he conducted a 
mercantile business in Santa Barbara for 
more than thirty years. He was nearly 
killed by robbers, in the early days, near the 
site of the present Port Harford, but was 
nursed back to health by the ladies of the 
Carrillo family, one of whom he married later 
on. He died in 1880. 

Captain John Wilson, of Scotland, who 
came hither via Peru in 1830, was long a 
merchant here. He died in 1860 at San Luis 
Obispo. 

Francis Ziba Branch, of New York, came 
here from New Mexico in 1833. He engaged 
in mercantile pursuits; died in 1874 at San 
Luis Obispo. 

Isaac J. Sparks, of Maine, came overland 
in 1832. He was a merchant, and the first 
postmaster appointed; he built the first brick 
house in Santa Barbara, erected in 1854, 
which now forms a part of the old Pai-k 
Hotel. 

James Scott, of Scotland, came here in 
1830 with Captain Wilson, and was his 
partner in business. He died in 1851. 

George Nidever, of Arkansas, came over- 
land in 1834, reaching Santa Barbara in 1835 
He was a mighty hunter. He it was who 
rescued " the lost woman" from San Nicolas. 

Captain John F. Smith, native of France, 
came in 1833 via the Sandwich Islands, built 



the first wooden dwelling in Santa Barbara, 
still standing near the gas-house. He died 
in 1866. 

Nicholas A. Den, of Waterford, Ireland, 
arrived in 1839. He was the grantee of the 
Bancho Dos Pueblos. He married a daughter 
of Daniel A. Hill. He died in 1862, leaving 
ten children. 

John C. Jones, of Boston, came hither in 
1835 from Honolulu, where he had been 
United States Consul. He married Manuela 
Carrillo, whose wedding portion was one-half 
of Santa Rosa Island, which he, with A. B, 
Thompson, a brother-in-law, stocked with 
horses, sheep and cattle. He removed with 
his family to Boston, and died about 1850. 

Albert Packard, a New Englander, arrived 
via Mazatlan about 1845, and lived here for 
many years, being well-known as a prominent 
lawyer and a wealthy orchardist. He still 
lives. 

Henry J. Dally, of New York, reached 
Monterey in 1843, and removed to San Luis 
Obispo in 1848, and to Santa Barbara in 
1853. He was an otter-hunter. 

Wm. A. Streeter, a New Yorker, came 
here via Peru in 1843. A wheelwright by 
trade, he officiated as a dentist and a physician, 
and was and is skillful at almost every kind 
of practical mechanics. He still lives, en- 
gaged in various and versatile sorts of handi- 
craft. 



38 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 





SANTA BARBARA COUNTY 




?t%?f2i?f%i?(%?l!li?fg%>(g%>%£ 



^^^t^^sgl'sli^' 



*S^S)| 




IN GENERAL. 

BOUNDARY. 

After the signing of the treaty of peace 
between the United States and Mexico, Feb- 
ruary 2, 1848, the establishment of the new 
government was pushed forward as speedily 
as practicable. One month after the adoption 
of the Constitution, the first Legislature met 
at San Jose, which was made the capital. 

The act subdividing the State into coun- 
ties, and appointing the county-seats therein, 
approved February 18, 1850, contained pass- 
ages as follows: 

" Section 1. The following shall be the 
boundaries and seats of justice of the several 
counties of the State of California until other- 
wise determined by law. 

" Section 2 created San Diego County. 

" Section 3 created Los Angeles County. 

" Section 4. County of Santa Barbara. 
Beginning on the sea coast, at the mouth of 
the creek called Santa Maria, and running 
up the middle of said creek to its source; 
thence due northeast to the summit of the 
Coast Range, the farm of Santa Maria fall- 
ing within Santa Barbara County; thence 
following the summit of the Coast Range to 
the northwest corner of Los Angeles County; 
then along the northwest boundary of said 
county to the ocean and three English miles 
therein; and thence in a northwesterly direc- 
tion, parallel with the coast, to a point due 



west of the mouth of Santa Maria Creek; 
thence due east to the mouth of said creek, 
which was the place of beginning, including 
the islands of Santa Barbara, San Nicolas, 
San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and 
all others in the same vicinity. The seat of 
justice shall be at Santa Barbara. 

" Section 5. County of San Luis Obispo. 
Beginning three English miles west of the 
coast, at a point due west of the source of the 
Nacimiento River, and running due east to 
the source of said river; thence down the 
middle of said river to its confluence with 
Monterey River; thence up or down, as the 
case may be, the middle of Monterey River 
to the parallel of thirty-six degrees north 
latitude; thence due east following said par- 
allel to the summit of the Coast Range; 
thence following the summit of said range in 
a southeasterly direction to the northeast 
corner cf Santa Barbara County; thence fol- 
lowing the northern boundary of Santa Bar- 
bara County to the ocean, and three English 
miles therein ; and thence in a northwesterly 
direction parallel with the coast, to the place 
of beginning. The seat of justice shall be at 
San Luis Obispo." 

A subsequent act, defining the boundaries 
between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo 
Counties was passed May 13, 1854. The 
northern line of Santa Barbara County was 
declared to be from where the eastern line 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTT. 



39 



intersected the southern line of Township 
10 north, San Bernardino base; thence west, 
on 'said township line to the Santa Maria 
River, thence down said river and down the 
creek which divides that part of Guadalupe 
Rancho known as La Larga from that known 
as Oso Flaco, to a point in the Pacific ocean 
opposite the mouth of said creek. 

The act passed March 2, 1850, providing 
for the holding of the first county election, 
and that passed March 23, 1850, providing 
for general elections, applied to these as to 
the rest of the newly designated counties. 

THE EXPORTS 

from Santa Barbara from March to Septem- 
ber, 1847, amounted to $27,780. 

In the summer of 1848 the United States 
steamship Edith went ashore on the coast be- 
tween Point Sal and Point Argnello. There 
were assertions that she was purposely 
wrecked, as some of the crew were eager to 
leave service and go to the newly discovered 
gold mines. The wreck was sold to Captain 
William G. Dana, owner of the great Nipomo 
rancho, who entertained at his house the 
officers and the crew until arrangement could 
be made for their transportation to Monterey, 
then the State capital and headquarters on 
this coast for the army and navy. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST, 1850-'90. 

The first supply of public money for Santa 
Barbara County was obtained for licenses for 
selling liquor and merchandise. The treas- 
urer's account began August 23, 1850. An 
accounting was made January 4, 1851, when 
he was charged with State taxes, $5,507.18; 
county taxes, $2,753.59; total, $8,260.77. 
The total of credits was $5,667.53, leaving 
for salaries, etc., $2,593.24. 

Apropos to the subject of licenses, there 
would seem to have been some thirst-inspir- 



ing property in the climate of Santa Barbara 
at this period, for, of the fifty licenses issued 
from August, 1850, to February, 1851, 
thirty-two were for the sale of liquors. It 
should be said, however, that the sales were 
mostly to foreign customers, for the native 
Californians of that day were not excessive 
drinkers, but it is surprising to see how many 
of the aristocratic old families took out 
licenses to sell liquor. 

It is said that the three lustrums from 
1850 to 1865 were a period of great peace 
and order in Santa Barbara. No place in 
California, nor even in all the United States, 
it is declared, with an equal population, was 
more i'ree from crime than was this city at 
that period. The county jail served as the 
place of incarceration of all the town prison- 
ers, as well as those of the county; yet, as 
we are told, more than half the time during 
those fifteen years the jail door stood wide 
open, the edifice being without an occupant. 
Many of the new-comers had intermarried 
with the natives, and these relations served 
to bind the diverse elements together in har- 
mony. There were occasional strifes over 
the possession of land outside of the city, 
such as always occur in a new country, but 
th(se were not frequent in the earlier times, 
for land was not considered worth enough to 
warrant dispute. 

It was, however, inevitable that owing to 
a not unnatural friction, should be occasional 
passages which caused strained relations be- 
tween the Californians and the Americans. 
For instance, two men coming up the coast 
to buy cattle were murdered near the San 
Gabriel River by one Zavaleta and another 
native, who came to Santa Barbara to spend 
the money taken from their victims. The 
murderers were recognized by description, 
and were arrested by the sheriff, Valentine 
Ilearne, aided by a number of citizens. Some 



40 



SAYTA BARB ABA COUNTY. 



of the native families, including that of Cap- 
tain de la Guerra, protested against the treat- 
ment of the men, as based on insufficient 
evidence, and inspired by race prejudice. 
Hence considerable ill-feeling was engen- 
dered. An escort of twenty-five men was 
made up to accompany the accused back to 
Los Angeles, and a semi-official demand, ac- 
companied by a menace, was made for a sup- 
ply of horses to be furnished for the purpose, 
by the citizens of Santa Barbara. The men 
were tried, and confessed the murder in de- 
tail, pointing out the burial place of their 
victims, so that they were hung by the people 
of Los Angeles. Notwithstanding this justi- 
fication, Dr. Den and the de la Guerras were 
so much displeased with Ilearne for having 
arrested the men, that they withdrew from 
his bond, and so forced him to resign his 
office of sheriff. It is said that W. ~W. Twist, 
his successor, was not even an American 
citizen. 

Again, trouble arose from the dissatisfac- 
tion of American newcomers with the system 
of large holdings of land by the natives, and 
from such a cause arose one of the celebrated 
cases of the county. John Vidal, a member 
of Carnes' Company in Stevenson's Regi- 
ment, had rented for a time a tract of land 
on the Arroyo Burro, a small creek emptying 
into the sea near Santa Barbara, and when 
his lea^e expired, he claimed the land under 
the pre-emption laws as Government land. 
Suit being brought in the respective courts, 
the land was adjudged the property of Dr. 
Den, of whom Yidal had rented, and the 
sheriff (Twist) was ordered by the court to 
evict Vidal and put Den in possession. 
Yidal was known to have many friends 
among the gamblers, and theattemptto disturb 
him was considered very dangerous. When 
the sheriff called out a posse to execute the 
writ of ejectment, the people began to take 



sides, and Yidal's friends gathered upon the 
disputed territory, some say merely in 
friendly union, others declare to fortify and 
hold the place at all hazards. The sheriff 
enlisted some 200 men, engaged a surgeon, 
and secured a small cannon to be used, if 
necessary, in demolishing the fortifications. 
At this juncture, Yidal and a few of his 
companions rode up to the assembled force, 
whether with hostile intent or in the hope 
that the issue might be determined by 
amiable parley. Two of his companions 
lassoed the cannon, and made as if to drag it 
away, upon which pretext Twist tired upon 
them, and at once the light became general. 
One of Yidal's companions rushed at Twist, 
and attempted to plunge into him a long 
knife, which was deflected by a rib, so that 
the wound was not dangerous. Yidal was 
shot, and fell from his horse, but, although 
terribly wounded, he lingered under Dr. 
Brinkerhoff's care for fourteen days, unable 
to speak, even regarding a ring he wore, 
which he evidently wished to leave to some 
one. Twist soon recovered. These were the 
only serious casualties which occurred, 
although a running fight lasted for some 
minutes. By advice of their leading men, 
the Californian citizens remained within 
doors that day, and Pablo de la Guerra pro- 
ceeded to the spot with a flag of truce, and 
persuaded the Yidal adherents to submit to 
the legal authorities. The next morning, a 
ship-ofwar anchored here, having been des- 
patched from Monterey to enforce order if 
necessary. 

The land in dispute was afterward pro- 
nounced public ground, although Yidal had 
practically acknowledged Den's ownership by- 
possession, by his payment of rental for it. 
Yidal appears to have been largely a scape- 
goat in the matter, as he was a man of some 
worth. He was justice of the peace when 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, 



41 



killed, and had been associate justice with 
Joaquin Carrillo. 

The feverish excitement, the disorganized 
conditions of society, and general lawlessness, 
naturally led to a vast deal of gambling, 
drinking and other vices, as well as systems 
of outlawry, — practically highway robbers. 

One gang, which flourished in the early 
'50s, had its headquarters at the Los Alamos 
and Purisima Uanchos. It was headed by 
Salomon Pico, a connection of Don Pio and 
General Andres Pico; and this prestige of 
blood no doubt greatly facilitated the gang's 
operations, by procuring shelter, protection, 
aid, and warnings of danger, from the pow- 
erful rancheros. The ostensible occupation 
of this set was driving and trading in stock, 
and the consequent irregularities of move- 
ment greatly facilitated the suppression of 
strangers who came thither, well supplied 
with money, to purchase cattle. Many were 
the disappearances noted of such individuals, 
and after years brought to light many skele- 
tons, on which were signs of violence telling 
of robbery and murder. 

Jack Powers was another bandit, and one 
of the most remarkable and most successful 
of the epoch. He had been a member of 
Captain Lippett's Company F, Stevenson's 
Kegiment, and is said to have enjoyed at one 
time a good reputation and standing. After 
being mustered out, he took up the career of 
a gambler, in which he was very successful, 
and when Salomon Pico's band was dispersed, 
Powers brought its remnants together under 
his own leadership, and for a time they ter- 
rorized the section for a period of about four 
years. He was deemed the best rider in the 
State, — no slight compliment, as the Califor- 
nian boys were very like unto centaurs. 
Powers once at San Jose rode for a wa<jer 150 
miles in fourteen hours, changing steeds at will. 
This skill as a rider, and his command of 



good horses, made him appear fairly ubiqui- 
tous, as was reputed to be Joaquin Murieta. 
Powers had a gray mule, which, it was said, 
would carry him 100 miles in twelve hours. 
He was once in Santa Barbara within ten 
hours after he had committed ;i robbery near 
San Luis Obispo. Many anecdotes are told 
of Powers' exploits. 

Another of the fraternity of •' holy terrors" 
was Pati'ick Dunn, who had the name of be- 
longing to Powers' gang. Dunn, while in- 
toxicated, shot a stranger, a passenger from a 
steamer; the murder, done in the square be- 
fore the de la Guerra House, was witnessed by 
several ladies of that family. But such was 
the terror of incurring the enmity of the gang, 
that only the court's solemn assurance of 
protection could induce them to testify. 
Whilst the trial was in progress, the judge, 
the district attorney and the sheriff, each 
received a warning that they would be killed 
if they prosecuted the case, and no doubt 
murder would have been done in open court, 
had not six deputies been sworn in, with in- 
structions to shoot instantly Powers and Dunn, 
at any attempt to interfere with the proceed- 
ings. Dunn pleaded justifiable homicide in 
self-defence, and after a trial of twenty-one 
days, the jury disagreed. A similar result 
followed a second trial, held at Los Angeles. 

Dunn was again tried for an attempt at 
murder, he having loaded a double barreled 
shot-gun to kill one Martin, who had offended 
him. Both barrels snapped without effect, 
but Dunn was sentenced to State's prison for 
a term of years. It became known that 
Powers had determined to rescue Dunn on 
his passage from the jail to the boat, and 
twenty-five men were sworn in as deputies, 
with instructions as before, to shoot both 
Dunn and Powers upon any attempt at a 
rescue. Powers, so Russell Heath, the sher- 
iff, assured him, would be the first to fall. 



4 2 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



The deputies followed the van containing the 
prisoner from the jail to the shore, where he 
was transferred to the lighter without inter- 
ruption, although Powers and his friends, 
about thirty in number, had assembled at the 
beach on horseback. Powers left California 
about 1850, and went to Mexico, where he 
was shot. Dunn died in Arizona in 1866. 

Up to 1856, the mail facilities for Santa 
Barbara were very sketchy; Lewis T. Burton 
was the first postmaster. When the Panama 
steamers began to touch here, they carried 
letters between this point and San Francisco, 
but the mail-bag was treated with so little 
consideration that it was often wetted in 
transit between the steamer and the landing, 
and on one occasion several gallons of water 
were turned out of the bag, along with the 
letters and papers. The dispatching of the 
mail was treated as a matter of little moment, 
and the letters received for distribution were 
kept in a candle-box, where each could help 
himself to his own — or his neighbor's — mis- 
sives. In March, 1856, William Carey Jones, 
in a letter addressed to the Postmaster-Gen. 
eral, set forth the disadvantage and detriment 
suffered from this lack of postal service, cited 
the. superior means of intercommunication 
enjoyed under the Spanish rule eighty years 
previous, and advocated the establishment of 
a regular weekly mail, to be carried by cour- 
iers, between Monterey and San Diego. 
Within a year or two, the overland stage, 
carrying mail and passengers, was established 
by the United States Government, at a cost 
of about $500,000 per annum. It was de- 
signed to open a line of settlements from 
Texas to California, in the interest of the 
Southern States. Few passengers took this 
route, and as the schedule time was but little 
less than by steamer, the large Eastern mail 
continued to be transferred by the main lines 
of passenger travel. The stage route lay 



through the coast counties, and afforded their 
people the long-needed facilities. The war 
of the Rebellion scattered the stock, and put 
an end to this line. 

At a little after 8 a. m., on January 9, 1857, 
was felt the premonitory shock of one of the 
severest earthquakes ever felt in California. 
The morning was clear, snnny and cool, with 
no forecast of the temblor whose shocks 
continued at intervals until the next day, 
their force extending from Point Concepcion 
to Los Angeles. The most violent alarm was 
felt by the people at Santa Barbara; but, for- 
tunately, there was no loss of life, and but 
little damage to property beyond cracking 
the walls of some of the houses. The reser- 
voir at the mission rocked so violently that 
the water slopped over at each of its sides so 
plentifully as to set quite a stream running; 
and near the hot springs great boulders were 
detached from the cliffs and rolled into the 
valley. At San Buenaventura, the mission 
church was badly injured, the roof partly 
falling in, and the belfry suffering consider- 
able injury. The tower of the Point Concep- 
cion light-house also was much damaged. 

The Gazette died this year, the plant being 
sold to parties who removed it to San Fran- 
cisco. It is believed that no file of this paper 
was preserved. 

The whole tax rate for this year was $1.62^ 
on the $100. In September there was in 
the county treasury $8,724.77^, the largest 
sum yet known, and the supervisors took the 
subject in hand, fixing the treasurer's bonds 
at $20,000. The system of accounts in this 
department was very obscure and imperfect, 
and it is said that the amounts on the stubs 
of the warrants gave the only clue to the con- 
dition of the funds. There seems to have 
been a pretty continual agitation on this sub- 
ject during this period, and inspections were 
ordered made of the books of the auditor 



SANTA BAEBARA COUNTY. 



43 



also. The same trouble ran into the succeed- 
ing year. 

The whole number of votes cast at the 
county election in 1858 was 319. The total 
of tax rates for this year was $1.52£ on 
each $100. A road tax of $2.00 was levied 
on every man between twenty and forty 
years old. It was now ordered that one- 
sixth part of all taxes raised be set apart 
as a hospital fund. 

On June 17, 1859, Santa Barbara was 
visited by a hot, sirocco-like wind from the 
northwest, which began about 12 m., and 
blew furiously until about 3:30 p. m., killing 
birds, rabbits, lambs, etc., blasting fruit, 
scorching the leaves on the wind ward side of 
trees, and sending the mercury up to 136° F. 

In 1860 Santa Barbara shared in the split 
in the Democratic party on the slavery ques- 
tion, and the electoral ticket was divided. 
It was this year that San Buenaventura be- 
came ambitkms of planning the town plat 
after regular, and laying out a street in front 
of the mission, between it and the orchard. 
After some controversy, this was carried 
into effect, and the fine main street of the 
town, which serves as its base line, dates 
from this beginning. 

In 1861 there was a general resolve to 
discharge the heavy debt incurred by pre 
vious mismanagement and extravagance, and 
a law looking to that purpose was enacted 
by the Legislature, by the expressed wish 
of the people. The tax rate for this year 
was $1.90 on the $100. Au appropriation 
was made by the Legislature of $15,000 
for the construction of a county road, bids 
were made, and the contract was awarded 
to T. Wallace More; but he, after some little 
time, declared his inability to complete the 
undertaking, and suit was brought against 
him for the performance of the contract. 
The question was ultimately compromised. 



The elections passed off very quietly this 
year, perhaps because of the absence of a 
newspaper to incite violence of political 
feeling. 

Santa Barbara shared in the excessive 
rains that fell all over California in the 
winter of 1861-'62, and many changes were 
wrought in the way of changing the beds 
of rivers, tilling up estuaries, etc. Until 
this season, the estuary of the Goleta was 
a sort of harbor, accessible to small crafts, 
which might have been made into a safe 
harbor of refuge from storms, but this sea- 
son's freshets filled it with sand and gravel 
from the mountains, beyond the hope of 
clearing. In other places, the swollen streams 
swept out channels through the bolsas, or 
miry lagoons, in which they had terminated. 
The appearance of the country was also 
much changed by slides in the mountains. 
At San Buenaventura there was a slide alono- 
almost the whole face of the kill where ran 
the aqueduct, and the canal was so nearly de- 
stroyed as to require rebuilding. Many 
cattle perished this winter, but they were 
hardly missed, as stock was even over-abun- 
dant. 

The taxes for 1863 footed up to $2.52 
on ths $100. The election of this year 
showed a notable increase in the population, 
as indexed by the number of voters. The 
salaries of the county judges, the sheriff, 
and the county clerk were fixed this year, 
respectively, as follows:— $1,000, $1,000, 
and $500 per annum. It was about this 
season that the enormous increase of the 
herds had brought down beef to a price that 
hardly repaid the killing. The loss in the hard 
winter of 1861-'62 was speedily recouped, 
and the droves had now attained propor- 
tions that demanded diminution. Particu 
larly in the southern counties was this result 
made, necessary, for here the distance from 



M 



SANTA BABBARA COUNTY. 



the markets, the long drives thereto over 
elosely-grazed country, the inevitable shrink- 
age contingent upon the journey, and the in- 
ferior quality of the beef after the drive, all 
tended to depress greatly the value of this 
product. This led to the institution of a 
matanza, or species of wholesale slaughter, 
which reached,, it is asserted, far toward 100,- 
000 head. The slaughter-works were situated 
on the seashore between Santa Barbara and 
Carpenteria, that the refuse might be swept 
away by the tide. The carcasses were put 
into steam baths, and subjected to such heat 
that the flesh fell from the bones and became 
a mass of jelly and fat. This was put into a 
mighty press, and every particle of the tallow 
extracted; the jelly went to the manufacture 
of glue, the horns were sent East to be made 
into combs and other such matters. The cake 
or pressed meat was fed to hogs, so that every 
portion of the beef was utilized. Yet, not- 
withstanding this economy and the low price 
paid — $5 per head — the enterprise was un- 
profitable to its projectors. 

In 1864 began the development of mis- 
fortunes arising from various causes. The 
excess of cattle and low prices of beef; the 
number of mortgages incurred as lands were 
changing owners; the purchase of goods, often 
superfluities, on the credit system, to be paid 
for with heavy interest — all these factors en- 
tered into the conditions. Mortgages on 
ranchos were given as security for compara- 
tively small debts, and they were seldom re- 
deemed. As land was held at about 25 cents 
per acre, an indebtedness of a few thousand 
dollars not infrequently laid a mortgage 
on a rancho of eleven leagues, or 44,000 
acres. In this manner the Santa Clara del 
Norte, the Las Posas, the Si mi, and other 
fine ranchos were alienated from their oris?- 
inal owners. The sum of $20,000 or less 
would have saved to the mortgageor the ran- 



chos Simi Las Posas, Conejo. San Julian and 
Espada, aggregating 200,000 or more acres. 
Nearly all the principal rancho-owners this 
year asked and obtained considerable reduc- 
tions on their assessments. 

The whole number of votes cast in this 
year's election was 429. 

To add to the general drawbacks of this 
year, the great drouth created terrible havoc, 
compared to which that caused by the floods 
had been trifling. 

This drouth, though severe throughout 
the State, was much more disastrous in the 
southern counties than elsewhere. The conn, 
try was overstocked with cattle, and the dried 
grass was eaten close to the ground before 
the time came for the usual rainfall. Then 
a little rain fell, early in December, but bare- 
ly enough to lay the dust in Santa Barbara. 
December and January passed with no more 
rain. The grazing grounds were absolutely 
bare, and there was no grass nearer than the 
snow-watered valleys over the Sierra, across 
the rainless desert. The cattle were unfit for 
a day's drive, far less 400 miles. There was 
no remembrance of a season without rain, but 
this season felt not those of either winter or 
spring. The cattle died daily by hundreds, 
and the whole country was strewn with their 
heat-dried carcasses. The assessment-roll of 
1863 had showed over 200,000 cattle in Santa 
Barbara alone, and this probably was not 
more than two-thirds of the real number; yet 
when the grass sprung up under the welcome 
rains of the winter of 1864-'65, there were 
less than 5,000 cattle left to graze upon it. 
The great herds were gone, and the reign of 
the cattle kings was over. Their possessions 
were for the most part hopelessly mortgaged, 
and within the next five years had passed from 
their hands. It was sensationally reported 
during the drouth that the people of the 
southern counties were reduced to subsisting 



/ 



SANTA BARBARA CJUNTY. 



45 



upon the flesh of cattle that had died of star- 
vation, and that famine was imminent. The 
people of San Francisco promptly raised 
$3,000 and forwarded food and delicacies by 
steamer. This generosity was greatly appre- 
ciated, although it was not needed, as there 
was no destitution which could not be relieved 
in the district. 

As regarded county politics, Sauta Barbara 
was democratic; but owing to the influence 
exerted by a few of the leading families, 343 
of the votes cast were in favor of the Repub- 
lican presidential eleetors. A representative 
of one of these families, Antonio Maria dela 
Guerra, raised a company of native cavalry, 
about 100 strong, which, although they did 
not reach the field of most active fighting, 
did excellent service on escort and scout duty 
on the frontier, their expert horsemanship 
eminently fitting them for work in the rough 
country where they served. 

In this year the oil interests attracted much 
interest and immigration, of which account 
will be given elsewhere, under the respective 
captions. 

The assessment roll of 1865 showed many 
changes, old names disappearing, and being 
replaced by new. The total assessments on 
real estate were $520,591; on personal prop- 
erty, $227,594; total, $748,185, this being 
nearly $300,000 more than in 1860. 

In 1866, the supervisors deliberated upon 
the practicability of building a new jail, as 
recommended by a report of the grand jury, 
which condemned that in use; the decision 
was that the state of the exchequer did not 
admit of the requisite expenditure. It is a 
noticeable feature that the record of this de- 
liberation was spread upon the minutes in the 
Spanish language. The tax rate established 
this year was $2.43 on the $100. 

Up to this time, the irregularities prac- 
ticed at elections were the 6ource of much 



dissatisfaction and inconvenience, admitting 
as they did, of great fraud in voting. In one 
instance, a whole tribe of Indians was voted; 
in another, a Panama steamer list was copied 
entire, and a precinct known to contain but 
twenty voters was made to give returns of 
160, The new law, which went into opera- 
tion this year, provided for the inscription 
upon the great register of the name of every 
voter, together with particulars of his birth, 
or naturalization, age, residence, and business, 
such as to identify him fully; and it was 
further provided that each should be restricted 
to voting in his own precinct. Most of the 
smaller precincts were abolished, this meas- 
ure also tending to obviate many sources of 
fraud and error. 

The supervisors here at this time were 
seldom in touch with the other county officials, 
now one and now another of whom fell under the 
supervisorial displeasure. This year it was 
the district attorney who fell under the ban 
of their displeasure, and his office was by 
them declared vacant, after some previous 
differences of opinion had been followed by the 
demand that he file new bonds for an addi- 
tional $10,000 for the collection of the delin- 
quent taxes, and his refusal to comply. The 
contest was somewhat long as well as acri- 
monious, ending in the district attorney's 
continuance in office. Yet the board of su- 
pervisors, which, by the way, contained a 
majority of native Californians, would ap- 
pear, reviewing the events, to have had right 
and reason on their side. 

The total tax rate for 1867 was $3.08 on 
the $100; the proportion of school tax, 35 
cents, shows that provision was being made 
for the public schools. The whole county 
vote at this year's election was 624, being a 
considerable increase on the last vote. At 
this time Thomas R. Bard was elected to 
the board of supervisors, a circumstance 



4G 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



notable in that it marks the entrance into 
public official position of ' men trained to 
business habits, who would give personal at- 
tention to official matters instead of referring 
them to a commission. 

It may be said that the ensuing year of 
1868 marked a new era in the history of 
Santa Barbara, a revolution in all its condi- 
tions. The drouth of 1863-'64, and its con- 
sequent financial disasters, caused the breaking 
up of many of the great ranchos, whose land 
was uow put on the market, at prices some- 
times as low as 25 cents per acre; this at- 
tracted a large immigration, whose members 
instituted many industries hitherto unknown 
here. It was iound that much of the land was 
highly appropriate to the cultivation of wheat, 
under proper care and attention; and this 
staple, which had been produced in but small 
quantities, for the manufacture of a little 
flour of inferior grade for home consumption, 
was now raised in great quantities, sufficient 
for heavy exportation. Here arose the need 
for a new development; to ship it, there was 
need to lighter the wheat to the vessels, at 
risk of great loss in the surf. Hence, wharves 
were projected and constructed to facilitate 
commerce in this product. 

Up to this time, all ships touching at Santa 
Barbara anchored a mile or two from the shore, 
whence their freight was transferred by surf- 
boats. Thus the goods, as well as the, mails, 
were liable to injury or loss. The passengers, 
too, were carried ashore from the boats on 
the backs of sailors. This method of land- 
ing was considerably modified when, in the 
summer of 1868, the Santa Barbara wharf 
was constructed by a company of citizens. 
This structure extended beyond the surf only 
under the ordinary conditions of winds and 
tides, and only lighters could approach it 
with safety, no vessel of more than 100 tons 
making fast to it. The stairs were unrailed, 



and the surf sometimes -broke upon them, 
and this cause and seasickness often occa- 
sioned considerable difficulty and even danger 
to the passengers landing, one lady falling 
into the water, whence she was rescued with 
much exertion. As the towns along the 
southern coast were already competing for 
immigration,. a Los Angeles newspaper took 
occasion to remark of this that passengers 
for Santa Barbara were dumped into the sea, 
to swim ashore or drown! The Santa Bar- 
bara Post, just established in this year, took 
the statement au serieux, and denied it with 
much acrimony! 

With the utterances of the newspaper, 
politics, whose fire for some time had lain 
dormant, kindled anew, and a Republican 
meeting, held in September of this year, was 
called the largest assemblage which had as 
yet met in Santa Barbara. 

The total vote of this year was 729, having 
almost doubled since the breaking up of the 
cattle ranchos. 

The grand jury of June, 1868, reported 
$2,490 in the city treasury, and a total county 
debt of $37,006.24; this body had gone some- 
what deeply into official matters, and they 
reported finding systematic fraud practiced 
in the city government; that the records 
were kept in Spanish; that but one of the 
five trustees spoke English; that within the 
past two years 7,000 acres of the public 
lands had been granted away for less than 
$6,000; that these lands had not been granted 
for settlement or improvement, but for spec- 
ulation; and that some of the members of 
the council were implicated. The recorder's 
books showed conveyance to one man of 900 
acres for $888, when lands of a similar class 
were selling for $6 per acre. At least one- 
third of the members of this honest and 
energetic jury were native Californians. 

The road fund now amounted to a respect- 



SAJSfTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



47 



able sum, and its disbursement was generally 
judicious and proper. Road districts were 
formed, and competent road-masters ap- 
pointed. Private road enterprises also were 
undertaken. Among these were the Santa 
Ynes turnpike road, organized August6, 1868, 
and the Tulare Turnpike Road Company^ 
organized December 15, 1868. . 

A number of Protestant churches were or- 
ganized this year, as will be set forth under 
the respective headings. 

The Ranchos Zaca and Corral de Cuati, 
containing 17,760 acres, were sold for $26,- 
700, and 900 acres of t\a Santa Paula tract 
were sold for $13,000. 

Eighty new buildings were erected this 
year; $70,000 worth of lumber was used, 
and 600,000 brick. The estimated increase 
of property in. the county was $1,000,000. 
The acres assessed were 1,154,106|; real es- 
tate and improvements, $695,565.48; per- 
sonal property, $478,229.72; total value, 
$1,137,795.10. " 

In 1869 the assessed value of real estate 
was $755,864; personal property, $626,267; 
total, $1,482,131. Of live-stock, there were 
5,057 horses, mules and asses; 11,094 cattle; 
and a great quantity of small stock. The es- 
timated population was 8,600, of which 700 
was subject to road tax. In September of 
this year, William H. Seward visited Santa 
Barbara and addressed the people. This year 
was stigmatized by an unseemly newspaper 
war between local editors, calculated to con- 
vey but a poor impression of the refinement 
and discretion of the citizens. The whole 
vote of this year numbered 1,172. The rates 
of assessment, provided by law to be based 
on a cash value, this year gave rise to a vast 
deal of complaint, land being assessed so low 
that the great rancheros paid but nominal 
taxes, while the levies on land improvements 
and stock, being the largest items on the roll, 



carried rates that bore heavily on their own- 
ers, thus virtually laying a penalty on the in- 
dustry which created these improvements. 
Land was sold in hundreds of instances for 
five, ten, or twenty times its assessed value, 
and in at least one case, a tract which had 
paid taxes on a valuation of $275 per acre 
sold for $100 per acre. Such was the re- 
sistance offered to this abuse, and such the 
stir created through the press, that in 1870 
assessments on large tracts were nearly double 
what they had been. 

During these years, from 1868 on, there 
was an almost continual agitation over the 
question of securing a railroad for Santa 
Barbara; and editorials, railroad meetings, 
and applications for charters were rife. As 
a concession to symmetry, the tacts and de- 
tails necessary to a proper exposition of this 
subjeet will be given in another chapter. 

In 1870, the census report gave as 7,987 
the population of Santa Barbara, which then 
included Ventura. 

On September 25, 1871, was held a special 
election for State Senator from the Second 
District, to fill the vacancy caused when 
Pacheco resigned, he having been elected 
Lieutenant Governor. 

The total tax rate for 1871 was $2.08£; 
road poll tax, $2. 

The First National Gold Bank was organ- 
ized in March, 1872; prior to this, Mortimer 
Cook, the president of this new bank, had 
been conducting a private banking house, the 
pioneer estbalishment in the county, of that 
character. 

The election of November, 1872, wa3 the 
last held previous to the division of the 
county, Ventura being set off, January 1, 
1873. The town of Santa Barbara now resr- 
istered more votes than had existed in the 
whole county twenty years earlier. At that 
time there had been but one school district, 



48 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



with some sixty pupils, as against some 
twenty at this period; while against the one 
little store kept by Lewis T. Burton in those 
earlier days, there were now many flourishing 
commercial houses. 

The law creating Ventura County went 
into effect January 1, 1873; thus from this 
date on the history of the two counties re- 
quires separate treatment. Some little eon- 
fusion in the board of supervisors arose from 
this division, but the matter was adjusted. 
From the same cause arose the need to redis- 
trict Santa Barbara County, and three town- 
ships were accordingly determined. 

The elections this year were the occasion 
of a good deal of enthusiam, " smashing the 
machine" being the active principle to a large 
degree. 

The tax rate was $1.47; the assessment roll 
bore: real estate and improvements, $3,637,- 
364; personal property, $1,415,200; money, 
$33,000. This total of $5,085,564, the board 
of equalization augmented by a sum which 
raised the figures to $5,223,094. The in- 
crease in valuations from the preceding year 
was $626,014. 

In the days of the discovery of gold, and 
the consequent mining fever, not only had 
the newcomers passed by the southern portion 
of the State to the rich mining districts be- 
yond, but also many dwellers here were drawn 
there, to settle and remain in the larger cen- 
ters of wealth and population to the north- 
ward; and this section was left comparatively 
deserted. Thus Santa Barbara had lain 
slumbering peacefully in her balmy golden 
sunshine, remote, unheralded, difficult of ac- 
cess, until a whisper began to float beyond, 
of the delights and virtues of her climate. 
Then came now and again a weary seeker 
after health, that greatest of boons and bless- 
ings, and each one spread the fame of the 
land to others. And with some of these way- 



farers in 1872 came that prince and pioneer 
of boomers, "California" Nordhoff, whose 
rapturous articles on the charms of this coun- 
try awoke to interest myriads of readers all 
over the United States, and even Europe. 
Then, with the great influx of newcomers, 
the prices of property were run up to fabu- 
lous prices, and the climate and other attri- 
butes of the country, were " puffed " beyond 
all truth and reason, ad nauseam. Once the 
tide of immigration set in, the hotel accom- 
modations were entirely inadequate for the 
; visitors who came pouring in by scores from 
every steamer, and, although the citizens en- 
deavored to prevent extortion, overcharges 
and abuses were very common. From this 
cause arose various rival schemes for hotel 
buildings. " The Seaside Hotel Company,"' 
formed in 1874, proposed to purchase the 
Burton Mound property, comprising about 
eighteen acres, and there erect a hotel which 
should eclipse all others on the coast. Dur- 
ing the agitation of this project the citizens 
in the rival, upper portion of the town, also 
started a hotel project, which they pushed 
with so much vigor that the Arlington is the 
present visible result, while the " Seaside 
Hotel " is still on paper only. 

Nearly all the wharves were erected within 
a few years after the first great immigra- 
tion. The Santa Barbara wharf was the 
first built. The franchise for the San 
Buenaventura wharf was granted to J. 
Wolfson, January 1, 1871; the Hneneme 
wharf to Thomas R. Bard, C. L. Bard and R.. 
G. Surdam, August 4, 1871; the Gaviota to 
W.W. Hollister, Albert Dibblee and Thomas 
B. Dibblee, November 6, 1871; and Point 
Sal to G. W. Foster, August 4, 1872. 

The summer of 1874 witnessed a novel 
kind of political canvass. The Legislature 
had passed a law authorizing each municipal- 
ity to determine for itself whether saloons 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



49 



should be licensed in the towns. By an ap- 
parently concerted movement, the ladies of 
the State undertook to secure the prohibition 
of license, and they organized entertainments, 
dinners, etc., and carried on a spirited canvass, 
inducing thousands of drinking men, even, 
to vote against license. The ladies of Santa 
Barbara displayed quite as much energy as 
those of other sections, and giant meetings 
were held in the county-seat and elsewhere. 
The city election resulted in a majority of 
119 in favor of no license. At Montecito the 
meeting was characterized by great feeling 
on both sides; the liquor dealers sent thither 
a great quantity of liquors, which were given 
away freely and openly, notwithstanding the 
law prohibiting the sale or other disposal of 
liquors on election day. The " no license " 
party carried the day by a majority of one. 
At the Patera, 97 out of 128 voters were in 
favor of no license. The business of liquor 
selling went on much as before; various 
persons were tried for illegally selling liq- 
uors, but they were dismissed. At last a 
case from another county was appealed to 
a higher court, and the law was declared 
unconstitutional, on the ground that the 
Legislature had no right to delegate its 
powers to another body or municipality. 
When the news of the decision reached Santa 
Barbara the saloon-keepers held a jollification 
with bonfires, speeches, and other demon- 
strations. 

Santa Barbara was full of enterprising and 
brilliant plans at this period. The movement 
to form a new county from the third town- 
ship, the wise and wholesome effort to secure 
the construction of a sewer system, and at- 
tempts to build a woolen factory, and foster 
various manufacturing institutions, were 
among the chief plans. 

The year 1874 witnessed the building of 
the Arlington Hotel, at a cost of about $80,- 



000; the three-story Odd-Fellows' Hall, cost 
$20,000; City Hall, cost $8,000; Presbyterian 
Church, cost $15,000; new St. Vincent's 
School on the ruins of the old building, cost 
$15,000; Tebbetts' three-story building, cost 
$13,000; John Edwards' dwelling, cost $8,- 
000; Charles Pierce's two-story store, $8,000; 
Russel Heath's stores, $8,000; and T. Henry 
Stevens' two-story brick dwelling, which cost 
$4,000. 

The assessment roll for this year showed 
values of $6,010,309, with sixteen taxpayers 
on $16,000 and upwards. 

In the winter of 1874-'75 there were severe 
storms, one of which flooded a part of the 
city — 2.75 inches of water fell within seven 
hours — while Stearns' wharf was somewhat 
injured. 

In August, 1875, Santa Barbara had six 
wholesale and retail grocery stores; nine 
retail; four dry goods stores, one clothier; 
three wholesale and retail boot and shoe 
stores; two manufacturing boot and shoe 
stores; ten fruit, candy and vegetable stores; 
three of hardware; thirteen saloons; one ten- 
pin alley; five billiard rooms; two banks; two 
auction and commission merchants; five real 
estate and house agencies; two warehouses; 
seven hotels; three restaurants, various 
private boarding and lodging houses; four 
barber shops; three bathing houses; sixteen 
laundries; two paint shops; four furniture 
stores; eight meat-markets; four drug stores; 
four tobacco and cigar stores; five livery 
stables; four wholesale sugar stores; one ice 
cream and oyster saloon ; three saddle and 
harness shops; four jewelry shops; three 
grocery and liquor stores; three book stores; 
two crockery and glass stores; six millinery 
and dressmaking establishments; three tailor 
shops; two sewing-machine agencies; two 
clothing, boot and hat stores; two brick 
yards; three lumber yards; three sash and 



50 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



door factories; three planing mills; one flour- 
ing mill; one candy factory; one cigar factory; 
three carriage and wagon shops; four black- 
smith shops; two architects and builders; one 
marble- worker; three daily and four weekly 
newspapers. 

The Santa Barbara County Bank was opened 
in November of this year. 

In 1875, all Santa Barbara mourned over 
the death of Father Jose Maria Gonzales, the 
superior of the Franciscans on this coast, 
whose missionary career had lasted two gen- 
erations. He was a saintly man, beloved by 
all denominations. 

In 1876, the county jail was built. The 
Centennial celebration drew forth much 
enthusiasm. The political campaign of this 
year was a very closely contested one. 

In 1876 the city of Ssnta Barbara alone 
cast a total of 789 votes, whereas in 1850 
the whole vote of the county, which then 
included Ventura, had been only about 300. 
During this year, a remarkable enthusiasm 
over Spiritualistic doctrines existed among 
many citizens. 

During 1876 the western portion of the 
county began to agitate the project of form- 
ing a new county, to be called Santa Maria, 
the scheme coming to naught, however. 

The season of 1876-'77 was termed a dry 
season, although the drouth was far less 
disastrous than that of 1863-'64. Grain 
hardly sprouted, and most of the fields thus 
sown remained brown all winter. Many 
sheep died, and more were driven away and 
never brought back; it is estimated that the 
flocks diminished one-half at this time. 

Because of the dry season, for want of rail- 
ways, or by reason of the general hard times, 
real estate here depreciated vastly — some 
good judges say as much as $2,000,000, and 
lands of every description were placed on the 
market at one-half the figures of two years 



earlier. The improvements of 1877 were 
estimated at $192,000. 

On January 1, 1877, a violent storm of 
wind and rain prevailed for about an hour, 
during which a house was blown down, and 
a portion of the debris fell upon and killed a 
son of "W. F. M. Goss, an estimable youth of 
eighteen or twenty years. 

The total tax rate for 1877 was $1.85 on 
the $100. The assessment roll for this year 
held $4,187,175. 

On January 19, 1878, occurred a very 
severe storm, which destroyed nearly all the 
light shipping in the harbor, driving some 
of it through the wharf. This storm injured 
nearly all the wharves on the coast. The old 
wharf at Santa Barbara was demolished, and 
some 155 feet of Stearns' wharf destroyed. 
The debris from these wharves destroyed all 
but about 100 feet of Smith's wharf at Car- 
penteria. The Bennett Bath Houses, built 
some six years before, were carried away, 
causing a loss of some $1,300. Much damage 
was done in the district by freshets, cloud- 
bursts, etc. The steamers could not land 
during the storm, and for some time there- 
after, whilst the wharves were under repairs, 
passengers and freight were landed by re- 
course to the old system of lighters. 

About this period there was some little 
agitation over the tax keeping of the county 
records, and investigations were ordered, and 
made, showing great disorder and confusion 
in the keeping of the accounts. 

The total tax rate for 1878 was $1.65 on 
the $100. 

This year was marked by J. C. Benton's 
offer to exterminate the squirrel pest by 
means of a wholesale an inexpensive poison- 
ing; in this Mr. Benton succeeded far beyond 
the general expectation, and the board of 
supervisors carried on the work. 

At this time, communication north and 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



51 



60uth from Santa Barbara was had only by 
way of the Rincon'and along the shore, 
where the water, at high tide dashing against 
the cliffs, often cut off connection. It had 
been found difficult to secure the opening of 
other roads in the county. The Sycamore 
Canon road had been located for some time, 
but some parties whose lands Avere crossed 
by it, positively refused to have the road 
opened. 

In September, 1878, a public demonstra- 
tion was held in honor of the opening of the 
Casitas Pass road, which, while it was in 
Ventura County, and built by the sale of 
Ventura bonds, was greatly to the benefit of 
Santa Barbara County. Indeed, complaint 
was made later that Santa Barbara profited 
more than Ventura. 

In 1879, there were inscribed in the great 
register of this county 2,384 voters. 

In the tax list of 1880 appeared 128 names 
of citizens paying taxes on $5,000 or up- 
wards. It was remarkable that among these 
there were hardly a dozen of the old families 
who, twenty-five years before, had practically 
owned the county. 

The summaries for this year showed valua- 
tions as follows: value of city and town lots, 
$489,350; improvements on same, $515,580; 
real estate other than city and town lots, 
$2,785,554; improvements on same, $339,- 
920; money, $38,634; personal property, 
$1,306,834; total, $5,507,727; deductions on 
account of mortgages, $769,668. The total 
tax rate for this year was $2 on the $100. 
About 50,000 acres were cultivated, yielding 
214,937 bushels of barley ; 198,293 bushels 
of wheat; 60,000 bushels of corn; 20,000 of 
potatoes; 80,931 of beans; 714,700 pounds of 
wool; 125,000 pounds of butter; 256,000 of 
honey; besides a multitude of other products. 
The population, by the census of this year, 
was 9,522. 



There were three parties in the field at this 
year's election, Republicans, Democrats, and 
"Workingmen; the last never gained much 
foothold in Santa Barbara. The road fund 
this year amounted to $10,000. Official 
mileage was now established. 

In March, 1881, was held an art loan ex- 
hibition to raise money for public purposes, 
and many rare and valuable treasures were 
presented for exhibition. This enterprise 
was not only pleasing, but profitable, netting 
$500. A floral and citrus fruit fair was also 
held this spring. About this time was 
opened a cannery, to furnish a market for 
fruits which otherwise would decay and 
waste. 

The bean crop of Santa Barbara County, 
which in 1880 had been 85,273 bushels, in 
1881 amounted to 87,000 bushels, and the 
following year to 146,700 bushels. 

The tax rate for 1883 was $1.69^ on the 
$100 for State and county; the city tax 
eighty-five cents. The board of equalization 
this year raised Santa Barbara's assessment 
roll twenty per cent., the increase aggregat- 
ing $1,134,300. 

In 1884 the county had outstanding bonds 
amounting to $46,500; cash in the treasury, 
$34,318.75; county property, about $85,000. 
The county clerk's estimate gave the county 
this year at least 2,600 voters, this, by the 
usual process of rating, giving a county pop- 
ulation of about 13,000 people. By 1886 
it was estimated at 16,529, a gain in six 
years of 7,007, or seventy-three per cent. 
It must be remembered, too, that this in- 
crease was prior to the presence of the rail- 
road, which subsequently brought a vast 
immigration with the opening up of the ex- 
tensive tracts of farming country. Of the pop- 
ulation perhaps one-fifth is of Spanish de- 
scent, the rest Americans, largely from the 
middle western States. 



52 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



The school census of June, 1885, reported 
3,777 children of school age, and 1,294 
under five years old; total, 5,071. There 
were forty-four school districts. 

The State and county taxes collected in 
Santa Barbara in 1885 were $140,967.96— a 
decrease of some $800 from the preceding 
year. The total valuation of Santa Barbara, 
after the addition of the fifteen per cent., 
was $9,635,803. 

Santa Barbara carried off the first premium 
for county exhibits at the State fair at Sacra- 
mento, in 1885. 



DESCRIPTION. 



In describing the topography of Califor- 
nia, the following comparisons have been 
frequently and very appositely instituted to 
give an idea of the general characteristics: 
The coast of the State is some 750 miles 
long, in the latitude corresponding to that on 
the Atlantic coast of a strip extending from 
northern New Jersey to the seaboard of 
Georgia. This distance may be divided into 
three fairly equal parts, the first point from 
the northward down marking the situation 
of San Francisco, and the next toward the 
south falling at the spot where the coast 
makes a sharp eastward turn and thence has 
a general direction almost due east and west 
for a distance of about seventy miles. This 
knee-like bend contains the county of Santa 
Barbara, the aforesaid east and west line 
forming the county's southern coast line and 
boundary. This trend it is, too, in a great 
measure, that insures to Santa Barbara her 
delightful peculiarities of climate. This 
county has the shape of an irregular parallel- 
ogram, extending from this corner or knee 
of land bending in the Pacific to where the 
coast line resumes its general southeasterly 
direction below Ventura. The county is 
about seventy miles long by forty-five wide, 



and it comprises about 2,000,000 acres, of 
which about one-third is arable land. Most 
of its fcrrile valleys contain prosperous 
towns, and are rapidly settling up. This de- 
velopment has been greatly assisted by the 
branch line of the Southern Pacific Railway, 
which, connecting with the main line at New- 
hall, continues up the coast and affords facil- 
ities for travel and shipments. 

The arable land of Santa Barbara is for 
the most part composed of either alluvial 
soil or adobe. The alluvial, which is found 
mostly in the lower levels, is very deep and 
fertile. When underlaid with clay, it pos- 
sesses great powers of resisting or enduring 
drouth, the clay acting as a hard pan to re- 
tain the moisture instead of allowing perco- 
lation, as is the case with a gravel substratum. 
This soil produces in rich abundance all the 
year around all manner of garden vegetables 
and deciduous and citrus fruits. Patches 
of this soil are found on the mesa and hill- 
side lands which are especially adapted to the 
growth of the olive and grape. 

The adobe soil is generally black, and of 
considerable fertility, albeit hard to work, on 
account of its clay- like consistency. To pro- 
duce the best results this soil needs intelli- 
gent cultivation and irrigation. It is best 
adapted to wheat, barley or flax. 

This county contains no arid, sandy or 
desert tracts. The valleys are threaded with 
streams from the canons; feveral of these 
water-courses, such as the Santa Maria, the 
Santa Ynes, and the San Antonio, being of 
sufficient importance to take the name of 
rivers. 

The timber supply of this section is some- 
what deficient. The live oak grows rather 
abundantly, furnishing pleasant pai'ks on the 
high lands, and in the thicker growth in the 
low lands and cations valuable supplies of 
wood for fuel. The mountain sides are 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY 



53 



clothed with, a dense growth of chapjparal 
(low brush) consisting of buckeye, sumach 
and a number of bushes peculiar to this 
country. Redwood also is found, and some 
say mezquite, although the present writer 
believes that this mimosa is not found on the 
hither side of the Colorado River. 

The summits of the San Rafael Range, in 
the eastern part of the county, and the 
northern part of Ventura, is clothed in 
patches, sometimes covering 100 or 200 
acres, with a fairly thick growth of fir, pine 
and cedar, the latter species, which grows 
lower down than the pine, being a scrub 
cedar, particularly valuable for posts and ties. 

The Santa Maria and Santa Ynes are the 
principal rivers, the former being the longer 
and carrying the greater volume of water. 
It rises in the Sierra Madre del Sur, and the . 
San Rafael mountains, draining by its branch 
the Cnyarna, the southern slope of the for- 
mer, and by the Sisquoc the northern slope 
of the latter, and it flows into the Pacific 
about seven miles north of Point Sal. The 
Tepusque, Los Encitos, Giuoncito, Agua 
Sacado, and Potrero are small tributaries. 

The railroad bridge across the Santa Ma- 
cs 

ria River is 1,982 feet in length. 

The Santa Ynes rises in the Santa Ynes 
mountains, in Ventura County, and flows 
westerly, draining the south slope of the San 
Rafael and the north slope of the Santa Ynes 
range, and reaching the ocean five miles 
south of Purisima. Its feeders are the Sal 
Si Puedes, Zaca, Alisal, Alamo Pintado, 
Santa Cruz, Caballada, Los Laureles, Indio, 
Mono, Agua Caliente, and a few others. 

The southern slope of the coast mountains 
waters the valley below through the Rincon, 
Carpenteria, Santa Monica, Paderon, Toro, 
Ficay, Hot Springs, Cold Stream, Mission 
Creek, Maria Ygnacia, San Jose, San Pedro, 
Carneros, Tecolote, Armitas, Tecolotito, Dos 



Pueblos, Las Varas, El Capitan, Refugio, 
Hondo, Costa, Molinos, Las Cruces, Agua 
Caliente, Santa Anita, San Augustin, Rodeo, 
Canada Honda and the San Antonio and 
Cosmalia creeks. Of these mountain streams 
the Rincon, Carpenteria, Mission, El Capi- 
tan and Dos Pueblos are the most important, 
flowing into the sea in ordinary years, while 
most of the others shortly after leaving the 
foot-hills partially or wholly disappear during 
the dry season. There are in the county 
several small lakes and lagoons, the Guada- 
lupe and the Zaca being the largest. 

Over the Santa Ynez mountains run sev- 
eral horseback trails and two good wagon 
roads, through the Santa Ynes and Gaviota 
passes. The greatest elevation of the San 
Marcos Pass is 2,240 feet. It is reached by 
following up the San Jose, descending the 
mountains on the north side, along the Los 
Laureles by what is known as the Fremont 
trail. The Gaviota Pass lies along the Las 
Cruces, crossing the mountain on the old 
Spanish grant of that name at an altitude 
of 1,500 feet. One horseback trail starts 
from the foot of Moutecito Valley, follows 
up the Ficay to its head, and then bears a 
little northeast to the Najalayegua Canon. 
Another crosses the mountain by Cold 
Stream Canon, near the head of this valley. 
A good trail also ascends the Pedregosa, the 
east branch of Mission Creek, to near its 
source, where it divides into two forks. 

Much of Santa Barbara County is hilly or 
mountainous; the Santa Ynes, a low range of 
mountains, follows the trend of the coast 
across the southern part of the county, and 
the Sierra de San Rafael, a higher range, 
strikes through the center of the county, and 
extends almost to its northern limits. These 
mountains, with the foothills and spurs, im- 
part to the whole country a rugged and 
diversified aspect. 



54 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



Separated by these ranges are the four 
large valleys of the county, from which 
branch out a number of smaller and tribu- 
tary valleys. These four main valleys, be- 
ginning at the south, are: Santa Barbara, 
Santa Ynes, Los Alamos and Santa Maria. 

Between the Santa Ynes and the sea lies 
the unparalleled valley of Santa Barbara 
proper, forty-five miles in length, with an 
average width of perhaps three miles, and an 
area of 86,400 acres. Although this is the 
smallest in acreage of the four chief valleys 
into which the county is divided by the con- 
figuration of its surface, yet it is the most 
important, by reason of its natural character- 
istics, which have attracted the largest popu- 
lation. 

For its rare advantages of climate and its 
wonderful fertility, it has become famous all 
over the world. This valley extends from 
the Rincon to Point Concepcion, and it com- 
prises the Carpenteria Valley, from the Rin- 
con to a small spur of the Santa Ynes, called 
Ortega Hill, a distance of nine miles; the 
Montecito, from Ortega Hill to the city 
limits; the city of Santa Barbara, spreading 
beyond its two miles square; and eight 
miles beyond, on the Patera, the village of 
Goleta. Still following the same broad 
avenue, are found the great ranchos of Dos 
Pueblos, Nuestra Senora del Refugio, and 
those owned by Hollister and Cooper; then 
comes the Gaviota Pass, and a few miles past 
it, Point Concepcion, where the Santa Ynes 
range runs boldly into the Pacific, forming 
the terminal wall of this valley. 

Beyond the Santa Ynes range, and between 
it and the San Rafael, opens the lonely Santa 
Ynes Valley. The Santa Ynes River here 
runs almost due west from its mountain 
source, watering a vast extent of farming 
lands and passing through the broad Lompoc 
Valley before it empties into the sea, be- 



tween Point Concepcion and Point Purisi- 
ma. This valley contains the towns of Santa 
Ynes and Lompoc. 



LAND GRANTS. 



After secularization, land in abundance 
could be had for the asking, and large tracts 
were given to the heads of families. The 
policy of the Mexican government had been 
to limit each holding to eleven leagues, 
which would contain something above 48,000 
acres. The wide territories required for 
stock-raising caused this to be considered a 
small tract, and many families acquired 
several times that much, whether by ex- 
change, purchase, or government favor. For 
instance, the Noriegas at one time owned no 
less than 200,000 acres. The following list 
from Hoffman's report on land cases shows 
the ownership of many of the old grants, 
some dating back to 1790, though mostly 
made subsequent to secularization. In the 
case of lands lying in other counties, they 
are included here because they were assigned 
to members of families living in Santa Bar- 
bara. 

Rancho Nipomo, granted to William Dana 
(member of Carrillo family), April 6, 1837. 
Acreage, 32,728.62. 

The Lompoc, granted to Jose Antonio 
Carrillo, April 15, 1837. Acreage, 35,- 
335.78. 

San Julian, granted to George Rock, 
April 7, 1837. Acreage, 48,221.68. The 
claim was purchased and the title perfected 
by Jose de la Guerra y Noriega. 

Guadalasca, granted to Ysabel Yorba, May 
6, 1846. Acreage, 30,593.85. 

Simi, or San Jose de Gracia, to Patricio 
Xavier and Miguel Pico, in 1795, by Gov- 
ernor Diego de Borica; claim revived by 
Alvarado to de la Guerra, April 25, 1842. 
Acreage, 92,341.35. 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



55 



Sespe to Carlos Antonio Carrillo, Novem- 
ber, 1833; six leagues. In the trial this 
numher was pronounced fraudulent, and dos 
(two) was substituted. 

San Buenaventura to Fernando Pico, March 
24, 1845; 29.90 acres. 

Guadalupe to Diego 01 i vera and Teodoro 
Arellanez, March 21, 1840. Acreage, 30,- 
408.03; 

Cujv.mato Jose Maria Eojo, April 24, 1843. 
Confirmed to Maria Antonio de la Guerra 
and Cesario Lataillade; 22,198.74 acres. 

Huerfano (San Luis Obispo), granted to 
Mariano Bonilla; confirmed to Francis Branch 
(member of the Carrillo family). 

Tequepis to Joaquin Villa; confirmed to 
Antonio Maria Villa; 8,919 acres. 

Sisquoc to Maria Antonio Caballero, June 
3, 1833; confirmed to James B. Huie; 35,- 
485.90 acres. 

Santa Rosa Island to Jose Antonio and 
Carlos Carrillo, October 4, 1843. Acreage, 
about 60,000. This island was given to 
Jones and Thompson, who married into the 
Carrillo family. 

Canada Larga de Verde to Joaquin Alva- 
rado, about 2,220 acres. 

Punta de la Laguna to Luis Arellanes and 
E. M. Ortega, December 24, 1844. Acre- 
age, 26,648.42. 

Conejo to Jose" de la Guerra y Noriega, 
by Governor Sola, October 12, 1822. Acre- 
age, 48,674.56. 

Arroyo Grande or San Ramon (in San 
Luis Obispo) to Zeferino Corlon, April 25, 
1841; confirmed to Francisco Branch, who 
married one of the Carrillos. 

Ojai to Fernando Pico, April 6, 1837. 
Acreage, 17,792.70. 

Rancho (name unknown) to Teodoro Arel- 
lanes, January 22, 1846. Small. 

Mision de San Diego to Santiago Ar- 
guello, June 8, 1846. Small extent. 



Island of Santa Cruz to Andres Castillero, 
May 22, 1839. About 60,000 acres. 

Mision Vieja de la Purisima to Joaquin 
and Jose" Antonio Carrillo, November 20, 
1845 ; 4,440 acres. 

Corral de Cuati to Agnstin Davila; con- 
firmed to Maria Antonia de la Guerra Latail- 
lade; 13,300.24 acres. 

Tequepis to Tomas Olivera, April 7, 1837; 
confirmed to Antonia Maria de Cota; 8,- 
900.75 acres. 

La Laguna to Miguel Avila, November 3, 
1845; confirmed to Octaviano Gutierrez; 
18,212.48 acres. 

Tinaquiac to Victor Linares, May 6, 1837; 
confirmed to Win. D. Foxen; 8,874.60 acres. 

La Calera or Las Positas to Narciso Fab- 
regat, May 16, 1843; confirmed to Thomas 
M. RobbWis and Manuela Carrillo de Jones; 
3,281.70 acres. 

Todos Santos to Salvador Osio, November 
3, 1844. This tract contained 22,200 acres; 
another tract on the Cosumnes, granted at 
the same time, to the same party, contained 
26,640 acres. These tracts were confirmed 
to William E. P. Hartnell. 

Canada de San Miguelito to Ramon Rodri- 
guez, Marc i 1, 1846. Acreage, 8,880. 

Alisal to William E. P. Hartnell, January 
26, 1843; Acreage, 2,971.26. 

La Zaca to Maria Antonia de la Guerra 
Lataillade, 1838. Acreage, 4,480. 

Lomas de la Purificacion to Agustin Jans- 
sens, December 27, 1844; contained 13,320 
acres. 

Las Posas to Jose Carrillo, May 15, 1834; 
confirmed to Jose de la Guerra y Noriega; 
20,623.26 acres. 

San Marcos to Nicolas A. Den, June 8, 
1846. Acres, 35,573. 

One square league to Marcelina, Au- 
gust 16, 1843; confirmed to Maria de la 
Guerra Lataillade. 



50 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



San Francisco (partly in Santa Barbara 
County) to Antonio del Valle, January 22, 
1839; confirmed to Jacob Feliz. 

Las Huertas confirmed to Maria Antonia 
de la Guerra Lataillade; granted July 26, 
1844; 13,000 varas square. 

Los Alamos to Jose Antonio Carrillo, 
March 9, 1839. Acres, 48,803.38. 

Santa Clara del Norte to Juan Sanchez, 
May 6, 1837; 13,988.91 acres. 

Calleguas to Jose Pedro Euiz, May 10, 
1847; 9,998.29 acres. 

San Miguel to Raimundo Olivas, July 6, 
1841; 4,693.91 acres. 

La Liebre to Jose Maria Flores, April 21, 
1841; eleven square leagues. 

three square leagues to Jose 

Ramon Malo, April 12, 1845. 

Santa Rosa to Francisco Cota, three and a 
half leagues, granted July 30, 1839; and a 
subsequent addition November 19, 1845. 

Purisima to Ramon Malo, December 6, 
1845; 14.927.62 acres. 

Ex-Mision San Buenaventura to Jose Ar- 
naz, June 8, 1846; confirmed to Poli. 

Camulos to Pedro C. Carrillo, October 2, 
1843; 17,760 acres. 

Nojogui to Raimundo Carrillo, April 27, 
1843; 13,522.04 acres. 

Santa Ana to Crisogono Ayala and others, 
April 14, 1837; 21,522.04 acres. 

to Jose Chapman, 4,440 acres. 

1838; confirmed to Guadalupe Ortega de 
Chapman. 

Dos Pueblos to Nicolas A. Den, April 18, 
1842; 15,535.33 acres. 

Canada del Corral to Jose Dolores Ortega, 
November 5, 1841; 8,875.76 acres. 

La Goleta to Daniel Hill, June 10, 1846; 
4,440 acres. 

Temescal to Francisco Lopez, March 17, 
1843; 13,320 acres. 

Nuestra Senora del Refugio to Antonio 



Maria Ortega, August 1, 1834; 26,529 acres. 

Jesus Maria to Lucas Olivera, April 8, 
1837; 42,184.93 acres; two-thirds confirmed 
to Lewis Burton. 

San Carlos de Jonata to Joaquin Carrillo, 
September 24, 1845; 26,631.31 acres. 

Mision Santa Ynes to Jose Maria Covar- 
rubias and others, June 15, 1846. This 
claim was rejected by the commissioners. 

Pueblo de Santa Barbara to the Common 
Council; granted in 1782; claim filed Feb- 
ruary 1, 1853; rejected by commissioners 
August 1, 1854; confirmed by District Court 
March 1, 1861. 

Island of Catalina to Thomas Bobbins, 
July 4, 1846. 

Santa Paula y Saticoy to Manuel Jimeno 
Casarin, April 1, 1843; 17,733.33 acres. 

Casmali to Antonio Olivera, September 
12, 1840; 8,841.21 acres. 

College Rancho or Canada del Pino; 35,- 
499.37 acres. 

Santa Barbara Mission to Richard S. Den, 
June 10, 1846. 

Mission lands allotted after secularization: 
San Buenaventura, 36.27 acres; Santa Bar- 
bara, 37.83 acres; Santa Ynes, 17.35 acres. 

By the methods already cited, some of the 
influential families obtained territory enough 
for a small kingdom. Thus the Carrillo 
family had twelve grants, the Castros twenty, 
the de la Guerras twelve, Fosters eight, Li- 
mantour eight, Murphy thirteen, Ortega 
nine, Pacheco eight, Rodriguez seven, San- 
chez twelve, and Yallejo fourteen. 

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. 

"An enterprising party named Cabrillo 
headed the first special excursion party to 
Santa Barbara and its islands, that was only 
345 years previous to our present boom, but 
there is a record to the fact that the old sea- 
rover and his crew of buccaneers were as well 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, 



57 



pleased with the country as are the tourist 
parties of to-day. Sailing under direction of 
no special hotel syndicate or real estate 
monopoly, Cabrillo and his companions made 
free to choose their own winter quarters in 
the fairest spot on all the coast, an island 
opposite to where our city now stands." 
Such is the humorous beginning of a paper 
on the Channel Islands, written in 1887 by a 
Barbareno, referring to the two-months so- 
journof the pioneer explorer, Juan Rodriguez 
Cabrillo, and his men, on San Miguel, in the 
winter of 1542-'4:3. We have already read 
how Cabrillo there died, and was buried; also 
how Sebastian Vizcaino sailed up hither, 
sixty years later, and named the channel, and 
renamed the other points of interest. And 
from that time down to the present, these is- 
lands have been conspicuous features in the 
landscape, objectively and subjectively. 

Until their examination by the Coast Sur- 
vey, nothing accurate was known of the num- 
bers, position, extent, or peculiarities of the 
islands off the coast, from San Diego to Point 
Concepcion, but the chart published by this 
body shows clearly the beautiful parallelism, 
to which Vizcaino first called attention, be- 
tween these islands and the adjacent main- 
land. The four islands Anacapa, Santa Cruz, 
Santa Rosa and San Miguel, with the rocks 
extending from the last named, have their 
longer axis parallel to the trend of the shore- 
line, which is the general direction of the 
Sierra Santa Ynes, immediately behind it. 
Cortez Shoal, Santa Catalina, San Clemente, 
and John Biggs' Rock, have their longer 
axes northwest by west and parallel to each 
other, while Santa Barbara Island is the pro- 
longation of the longer axis of San Clemente. 

Navigators, in making the Santa Barbara 
channel from the northwest, readily note the 
neighborhood of these islands through thick, 
foggy weather, by the peculiar odor of the 



bitumen which issues from the bottom or the 
shore some eight miles west, and floats upon 
the water, working against the winds far be- 
yond Point Concepcion. Vancouver was tha 
first to call attention to the presence of this 
bitumen. Sir Edward Belcher, in October, 
1839, also remarked the phenomenon. 

The current among these islands runs 
southward as far as San Nicolas. On the 
Cortez Shoal it frequently runs against the 
northwest wind at the rate of nearly two 
miles per hour; while again it has been found 
to ruu nearly as strong in an opposite direc- 
tion.. 

Santa Cruz, lying almost in front of the 
city of Santa Barbara, at twenty-five miles 
distance, contains 52,760.33 acres, and its 
mountains rise to, 1.700 feet in height. It is 
owned by a French company, who devote it 
to sheep- raising. There is no settlement on 
this island, beyond the rancho-houses. Santa 
Rosa contains 52,696.49 acres, and rises to a 
height of 1,172 feet. It belongs to A. P. 
More, and is used for sheep-raising. San 
Miguel, the most western of the group, is 
seven and a half miles long, two and a half 
wide, and contains 15,000 acres. It belongs 
to the United States Government, and is held 
in reserve, being unsurveyed. Waters and 
Schilling occupy it by possessory right, for 
sheep-raising. 

Santa Cruz is irregularly shaped, having a 
rough surface, with a few tracts of level lands. 
The owners have a fine wharf, with a harbor 
safe in all but northeast winds. The climate 
is much the same as on the main land, though 
the ocean winds are stronger. Citrus and 
deciduous fruits will do well here. This was 
formerly the resort of great numbers of seal, 
but continued slaughter has almost extin- 
guished them. Santa Cruz was used by the 
Mexican Government only as a penal colony 
— a sort of Botany Bay, whose few tenants 



58 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



were yet a constant menace to their main- 
land neighbors. 

Santa Cruz was afterward given by Mex- 
ico to Castillero, in reward for his discovery 
of quicksilver at New Almaden. He sold it 
to the sheep companies. Occasional matan- 
zas, or systematic slaughters of stock, are 
held here. 

More than half of Santa Rosa is adapted to 
tillage. It is nearly quadrilateral in shape- 
In 1834 it became the joint property of Car- 
los and Jose Antonio Carrillo, and was given 
as a dowry to the two daughters of Carlos, 
who, on the same day married J. C. Jones 
and A. B. Thompson. 

The grooms raised sheep on the island, with 
great success. After some family litigation, 
Santa Rosa became the property of A. P. and 
P. H. More, and is now owned by the former. 
The natural grasses are of very fine quality, 
and the humid atmosphere keeps them green 
throughout the year, so that the sheep busi- 
ness is here conducted under particular 
advantages. 

One of the most notahle events in the 
history of these islands was the wreck here, 
in the early days of the Pacific Mail Steam- 
ship Company, of their steamer Winfield 
Scott. It is said that her wreck was visible 
beneath the water for twenty years there- 
after. 

These islands, with their cave dwellincs, 
their kitchen-middens, their battle-grounds, 
and their obscure history, are full of interest 
to the ethnologist, the archaeologist, and the 
antiquarian. Cabrillo described the inhabi- 
tants of the Channel Islands as fairly white, 
with florid complexions. 

Accounts vary as to the extinction of these 
people. Some authors opine that they were 
extirpated by the inhabitants of Russian- 
America, who used to come to these islands 
to hunt the sea-otter, and who are known to 



have slain, even during the present century, 
all the male inhabitants of San Nicolas, whose 
effects and women they appropriated. Again 
it is suggested that a famine reduced the 
natives to the necessity of preying upon each 
other, to their extermination; or else that 
they were fallen upon by the cannibalistic 
inhabitants of the islands of the western 
Pacific. Some appearance of probability is 
given to this theory by the state of the 
human bones found on the island, many of 
which have been cracked, as if for the pur- 
pose of extracting the marrow. On the other 
hand, the idea of a famine is counteracted by 
the existence on the rocks of shell-fish enough 
to sustain a population of thousands. There 
are, however, many indications of a terrible 
drouth experienced here at some time, and 
the inhabitants may have perished for lack of 
fresh water. 

CLIMATE. 

Of Santa Barbara, as of other portions of 
Southern California, it must be said that the 
terms " rainy season " and " dry season " are 
in some measure a misnomer, as conveying 
too extreme an impression. Dr. J. P. Wid- 
ney's suggestion of " rain season " is more 
apt, as signifying the period during which 
rain does fall, as distinguished from the 
time of the year when it does not fall. It 
is practically true that from April to No- 
vember no rain falls, yet even during these 
months there have been known occasional 
showers. From November to April the 
rainfall occurs, in Santa Barbara averaging 
seventeen inches per season. The rains are 
not continuous, but distributed, coming in 
heavy storms, with days or often weeks of 
intervening delightful weather. While there 
is no regularity about the rains, no two sea- 
sons being alike, there is usually a heavy 
rain about the first of December, followed by 
another heavy storm about the beginning of 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



59 



January, then others scattered through Janu- 
ary, February and March, witli the final or 
" clearing up " storm about the first of April. 
February and March are the real spring 
months of Santa Barbara. Then the results 
of the rains are fully apparent, the flowers of 
the plains and canons are in season, the foot- 
hills are brilliantly grass-clad, the streams 
are full, and nature appears in her brightest, 
gayest aspect. 

' The rainfall for 1867-'68 was 25.19 inches; 
for 1868-'69, 15.77 inches; for 1869-70, 
10.27 inches; for 1870-'71, 8.91; for 1871- 
'72, 11.94; for 1872-'73, 10.45; for 1873- 
'74, 14.44; for 1874-'75, 18.71 inches. 

In 1872 there were only thirteen days 
when the mercury rose above 83°. The 
highest temperature was 86°, and the lowest 
40°. In 1875 the mercury rose above 83° 
only seven times; the highest was 88°, and 
the lowest 38°, this last being the register 
for seven o'clock a. m. on January 24. 

Observations made from June to Decem- 
ber show the mean temperature of the sea 
water to be 64°, the thermometer being sunk 
four feet below the surface of the water, where 
it is twenty feet deep, at the point one- third 
of a mile from land, and at 11 a. m. Obser- 
vations made at the same time show the 
mean temperature of air in the shade to have 
been 71°. 

In 1885 there were thirty-one days in 
which the mercury rose above 80°. These 
were distributed through seven months, of 
which two were December and February. 
There were only thirteen days when it did 
not fall at night below 60°, and these were 
scattered through three months, including 
December. There was but one night in the 
year -when the mercury fell below 40°. In 
1885 there were thirty-one days in which 
rain fell, but only nine of them could Ik: 
called rainy days, since, in the remaining 



twenty-two it rained only in the night, or in 
brief showers during the day. 

In 1886 there were twenty-three days, dis- 
tributed through seven months, in which the 
mercury rose above 80°, and thirteen nights 
when it did not fall below 60°. The great- 
est height of the mercury during this year 
was 85°, and the lowest point reached was 
35°. The mean temperature for January 
was 55°; for July, 66.3°; for October, 58.3°. 
The mean temperature for the three winter 
months was 56.81°; for the three summer 
months, 65.51°; for the three autumn 
months, 59.46°. Thus it will be seen that 
the difference between the mean of January 
and that of July was 11.30°, and between the 
mean winter and mean summer tempera- 
ture 8.7°. 

In 1886 the mean temperature of the 
warmest day in the year was 73.5°, this fall- 
ing in January; of the warmest day in Au- 
gust, 72°; the mean of the coldest day, being 
in February, was 45°; the highest tempera- 
ture reached was 85°, in January, February, 
and August; the lowest was 35°, in January. 
The annual average temperature was 59.6°. 
The total rainfall was 13.86 inches. 

In 1887 the mean temperature of the 
whole year was 59.7° ; while that of the three 
summer months was 64.4°, a difference of 
less than 5°. The means of the three warm- 
est days were 79°, 71°, and 74°, in June, 
July and October, respectively. There were 
during this year twenty-six days in which 
the mercury registered more than 80°, and 
of these only six were in the summer, On 
the warmest night of the year the tempera- 
ture fell to 65°, and there were but fourteen 
nights in the whole year when it did not fall 
to or below 60°, and of these, four were in 
the summer. The mean temperature of the 
coldest day was 47.5°, in November. The 
three hottest days being in M a y> June, and 



m 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



October, reached respectively, 86°, 95°, and 
91.8°. The three lowest fell in January, 
February, and December, reaching 37°, 37°, 
and 38°. 

There was a total rainfall of 17.09 inches, 
being .72 above the average for the last 
twenty years. Rain fell on twenty-four days. 
Of 289 days observed this year, 214 were 
recorded as clear, forty as fair, and thirty- 
five as cloudy. 

Such statistics as these refer more particu- 
larly to that portion of the country south of 
the mountains; that is to say, Santa Barbara 
Valley. In the northern valleys there is 
more wind, and the mercury falls lower and 
rises higher. During seven months, begin- 
ning with March of the year 1888, the low- 
est mean in the Santa Maria Valley was 57°, 
in April; the highest, 63.5°, in July — a dif- 
ference of only 6.5°. In the Santa Ynes 
Valley the mercury has fallen to 18° and has 
risen to 100°. Even these valleys, however, 
are generally equable, and the more marked 
changes they do undergo prove an attraction 
to many persons liking variety, 

There is a table of comparisons often sub- 
mitted, as illustrative, to those knowing the 
Eastern resorts, of Santa Barbara climate. 
This says: — January at Santa Barbara is 
equivalent to May at Nantucket; February 
to May at Atlantic City; March to May at 
Norfolk; April to May at Portland; May to 
May at New Haven; June to May at New 
York; July to May at Philadelphia; August 
to May at Washington; September to May 
at Brooklyn; October to May at New London; 
November and December to May at Portland. 

These climatic conditions naturally and in- 
evitably make Santa Barbara one of the most 
healthful sections in the world. The expe- 
rience of the years has fully attested this, 
and the fame of this climate has gone 
throughout the world. Even from the earliest 



period of Spanish settlement here, these 
phases have been noted. 

During the mission period, the deaths in 
proportion to baptisms were less at Santa 
Barbara and Purisima than at any other of 
the missions, thus attesting the healthful n ess 
of this region. 

In the spring of 1798 the ship Concepcion 
brought hither several cases of small-pox, and 
the passengers were prematurely released 
from quarantine, against the orders of the 
Governor, who, it may be said en passant y 
was raging in consequence. He threatened 
to hang the commandant should the disease 
spread; but, happily for that functionary as 
for the community at large, the excellently 
healthful climate protected the people from 
this scourge, and infection did not spread. 

The census returns for 1870 show that in 
Santa Barbara County, which then included 
what is now Ventura, the total of deaths from 
consumption that year was five out of 7,984 
population, or one in every 1,567. The 
deaths from all causes were but sixty-three, of 
which but one-twelfth were from consump- 
tion. The deaths from this disease in Mas- 
sachusetts are one in every 283, in New York, 
one in every 379; in Florida, one in 1,433. 
The ratio of deaths in Massachusetts is 
17.7 in each 1,000; in New York it is 15.8 
in the 1,000; in Florida 12.1 in 1,000; in 
Santa Barbara 8 in 1,000. 

The following extracts relative to the 
healthfulness of Santa Barbara are taken 
from a paper written by the late Dr. S. B. 
Brinkerhoff, who practiced medicine here 
from 1852 to 1880: 

Santa Barbara is protected from northern blasts by 
the Coast Range of mountains, which average from 
3,000 to 4,000 feet in height. The heat of summer ia 
tempered by gentle breezes from the sea, the average 
summer temperature being less than 70°. The average 
winter temperature is 55 c . The changes in the seasons 
are scarcely perceptible in temperature. Frosts are of 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



«1 



rare occurrence, aucl disagreeable fogs seldom prevail. 
Tliere are bat comparatively few days in the entire 
year when one cannot be out of doors during the day 
without discomfort. The nights are always cool and 
sleep-inviting. * * * The softness and general 
uniformity of the climate, its freedom from dampness 
and sudden changes, the opportunities for diversion 
and recreation, render Santa Barbara pre-eminently a 
desirable place of resort for persons suffering from 
bronchial aud pulmonary affections. Although many 
persons suffering from these complaints have come 
here too late to receive any permanent relief from the 
restorative effects of climate, yet the greater portion 
of cases which have come under my observation have 
been permanently relieved, and many, in a surpris- 
ingly short space of time, have been restored to 
health. The dim tte of S inta Birbara possesses ele- 
ments of general healthfulness in an eminent dfe. 
gree, and perhaps, also, some latent peculiarities in 
its favor too subtle for ordinary observation. I may 
instance the following facts in this connection: Dur- 
ing the eighteen years of my active practice here I 
have never known a' single case of scarlet fever or 
•diphtheria. I have known of only three cases of 
■dysentery, neither of which proved fatal, and of only 
three cases of membranous croup. The epidemics 
and diseases incident to childhood, whieh in other 
parts of the country sweep away thousands of chil- 
dren annually, are here comparatively unknown- 
Cases of fever and ague I have never known to orig- 
inate here, and persons coming here afflicted with it 
rarely have more than two or three attacks, even with- 
out the use of anti-periodics. I have known instances 
of small-pox at three different times-, in each of the 
first two instances occurring several years apart, the 
disease was confined to a single case, and was con- 
tracted elsewhere. Neither of these cases proved 
fatal. In the year 1864, when this disease prevailed 
so extensively and proved so fatal throughout the 
State, there were two cases of the disease, contracted 
elsewhere and developed here, which proved fatal. 
Three other persons residing here contracted the dis- 
ease at this time, all of whom recovered. Although 
no unusual precaution was taken to prevent tue spread 
of the disease, it was confined to the cases mentioned. 
Yet hundreds of the native population, either from 
ignorance or prejudice, had never been and would not 
suffer themselves to be vaccinated. In the years 
18G9-70, when this disease in its most virulent form 
prevailed so generally throughout the State, not a 
single case occurred at Santa Barbara, although in 
daily communication with other parts of the State by 
stage and steamer. 

Some ten miles from Santa Barbara, in a westerly 
direction, about one and a half miles from the shore 



is an immense spring of petroleum, the product of 
which continually rises to the surface of the water, 
and floats upon it over an area of many miles. * * 
Having read statements that, during the past few 
j'ears, the authorities of Damascus and other plague- 
ridden cities of the East have resorted to the practice 
of introducing crude petroleum into the gutters of 
the streets to disinfect the air, and as a preventive of 
disease, which practice has been attended with the 
most favorable results, I throw out the suggestion, 
but without advancing any theory of my own, 
whether the prevailing westerly sea breezes, passing 
over this wide expanse of petroleum-laden sea, may 
not take up from it and bear along with them to the 
places whither they go, some subtle power which acts 
as a disinfecting agent, and which may account for 
the infrequency of some of the diseases referred to, 
and possibly for the superior healthfulness of the 
climate of Santa Barbara. 

Dr. M. H. Biggs, for many years resident 
in Santa Barbara, in his report to the State 
Medical Society on the "Vital Statis- 
tics and Medical Topography of Santa Bar- 
bara," corroborated the testimony of Dr, 
Brinkerlioff, saying; "There are no mala- 
rious fevers. Persons who come here afflicted 
with fever and ague rarely have more than 
two or three attacks. They soon become 
well, often without the use of anti-periodics. 
The climate seems sufficient to cure the mal- 
ady. During a residence of over eighteen 
years I have seen only one case of membran- 
ous croup, and heard of two others. There 

is no disease endemic in Santa Barbara 

nothing but what can usually be referred 
either directly or indirectly to some indiscre- 
tion in eating or drinking or unreasonable 
exposure." 

Dr. Thomas M. Logan, ex-president of 
the American Medical Association, and sec- 
retary of the State Board of Health, made a 
statement in favor of Santa Barbara as a 
suitable place for a State sanitarium. In his 
first official report, published in 1871, is ex- 
pressed this opinion: 

"The secretary informed the board that he 
had been occupied of late in visiting several 



62 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



localities in the southern part of the State, 
noted for salubrity, as San Rafael, Santa 
Cruz, Montery, San Luis Obispo, Santa Bar- 
bara and other places. * * * While 
most of the localities named are possessed of 
climatic elements adapted to different stages 
and characters of pulmonary diseases, that of 
Santa Barbara appeared to present that happy 
combination of the tonic and the sedative 
climate which would seem to render it suit- 
able to a greater variety of phthisical affec- 
tions, and at the same time better adapted to 
the different stages of cachexia than any 
other place visited." 

Elsewhere Dr. Logan wrote as follows: — 
" In vain, heretofore, since my appointment 
to the responsible position of Health Officer 
of the State, have I sought for such a com- 
bination of sanitary qualities as are now 
presented. * * * As to the climate of 
Santa Barbara it will be seen that, although 
hying in about the same latitude as Charles- 
ton, South Carolina, yet it is totally different, 
and that the isothermal line would be deflected 
toward St. Augustine, Florida." 

In short, the testimony alike of physicians, 
tourists and invalids attests the delightful 
and healthful qualities of the climate here. 
Even the present winter, afflicted with a 
cough of several years' standing, pronounced 
by physicians sure to result fatally, has found 
it almost quite disappear in a residence of 
two months here, with practically no medic- 
aments, and even without the exercise of 
precautions against cold, etc. 

THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA. 

From Point Concepcion the Santa Ynes 
mountains follow eastward the line of the 
coast, at a little distance from the shore. 
The mountains rise rocky and rugged, 3,000 
to 7,000 feet high, and the strip of land be- 



tween these and the sea, two to five miles 
wide, slopes gently toward the south, is 
thoroughly protected on the north, and is 
composed of very rich soil, which has re- 
ceived the wash of the hills for ages. Seven 
or eight miles to the westward runs a range 
of hills, which behind the town reach their 
greatest height, of 500 to 600 feet. Their 
level tops form the mesa — table or plateau 
land. From the surf- bound beach, the land 
rises gradually toward the northwest until it 
is 350 feet above the sea at two miles inland. 
Thus the town lies on a southeastern slope 
shut in and protected on the north and north- 
west by a range as high as the Green Moun- 
tains, and on the south and southwest by the 
mesa. Thus the trade winds cannot reach 
this place; the close vicinity of the sea pre- 
vents the heats of summer from reaching the 
degree attained at inland points in this lati- 
tude and the neighboring mountains absorb 
dampness and give tone to the atmosphere. 

The topography of Santa Barbara is not a 
little baffling to the stranger, who, accus- 
tomed to regarding the Pacific Ocean as the 
western boundary of this continent, distrusts 
his own senses when he sees the sun rising 
out of that body of water. While the general 
trend of the coast from Ventura to Santa 
Barbara is straight westward, just at this city 
it curves outward, and for a short distance 
runs southwestward, the city being laid out 
on this southwest curve, with its streets at 
right angles to that part of the beach west of 
the wharf. State street runs almost directly 
northwest from the ocean, while the cross- 
streets extend almost due northeast and south- 
west. This arrangement of the streets was 
determined by the Spanish settlers who pre- 
ceded American surveying, and the "bias" 
arrangement, confusing as it at first is, has > 
some manifest advantages over the arrange- 
ment of most cities, planned with the points 



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SANTA BARBARA COUNfY. 



63 



<of the compass. As the city lies on a slope, 
the streets should properly take the direction 
that must facilitates drainage. Then, a house 
whose corners, rather than its sides, are 
toward the cardinal points of the compass, 
receives the sunlight in each room sometime 
during the day, as would not happen in 
houses set " square on." 

The few buildings here previous to 1850 
were placed without regard to regularity or 
to the location of their neighbors, and there 
were no streets. The first grant of which 
the archives, such as they are, contain a 
record, was made February 14, 1835. Pre- 
vious to this, the commandante gave verbal 
permits to occupy small lots, the right continu- 
ing as long as the occupancy; and these rights 
were generally respected as valid prior to 
1851. Most of the lots of land in the central 
portion of the city were granted during the 
period from 1846 to 1850, while the old 
ayuntamiento system of town government 
was continued, with the offices of prefect, 
alcalde, regidores, and sindico. In 1851 
the town council passed a resolution that no 
title to a town lot should be deemed valid 
unless it should be recorded in a book kept 
for that purpose. This book contains the 
record of 196 lots, varying in size from a few 
varas to 150 varas square. (A vara is thirty 
three and one-half inches.) The descriptions 
of the laud were for the most part given with 
eo much vagueness and uncertainty as to give 
rise to many lawsuits. 

Four leagues of laud were confirmed to the 
mayor and common council of the city of 
Santa Barbara, by the United States District 
Court, and, the appeal having been dismissed, 
the decree of the Federal Court became final. 
The final survey was approved April 8, 1870. 
A patent for these four leagues was issued by 
the United States on May 31, 1872. 

It is difficult to speak with any degree of j 



certainty as to special proceedings prior to 
1850, since the archives of that period are 
missing. 

THE HALEY SUKVEY. 

The city of Santa Barbara was laid out into 
streets and blocks in 1851, when the town 
council directed Captain Salisbury Haley to 
make a survey and a map of the town. The 
intention was to have each block 150 yards 
square, and each street sixty feet wide, except 
State and Carrillo streets, which were to be 
eighty feet wide. At that time the value of 
land was not great, and the surveyor gave 
good measure, and that not always exact. 
The streets were straight, and cut each other 
at right angles, but the blocks were not all 
alike. In the year 1871 most of the old 
Haley stakes, set to make the survey, had 
disappeared, and the council instructed the 
town surveyor, James L. Barker, to retrace 
the Haley survey, and this retracing was 
adopted by ordinance, and this confirmed or 
ratified by the Legislature. There was, how- 
ever, some contention for the exact measuring 
of the blocks, which had the effect of changing 
the location of most of the streets. Near 
State and Carrillo streets, this difference is 
but a foot or two, but near the outskirts of 
the city, it amounts to as much as ten or 
twelve feet in one direction, and is about 
forty feet in the other. 

Subsequent to the Barker survey, W. H» 
Norway was authorized to make another 
survey, beginning at the initial point, and 
making the blocks all similar, of the size 
before stated. The resulting discrepancies 
are the cause of litigations still pending and 
unadjusted. There are numbered on the 
map 369 whole blocks, ten more fractionally 
numbered, and still more fractional blocks 
not numbered. The blocks being 450 feet 
square, ten of them are reckoned as making 
a mile. The nomenclature of the streets is 



64 



SANTA BABBARA COUNTY. 



highly suggestive of the city's picturesque 
early history, many of whose events are thus 
commemorated. 

As elsewhere seen, no less than three of 
the streets take their names from the episode 
of "The Lost Cannon." The first street at 
the northeast of the city is called San Buena- 
ventura, from the then village of that name, 
thirty miles away, which was the nearest to 
this town when the street was christened; 
Pitos street was thus named because there 
grew the reeds from which were made pitos 
(flutes or whistles); Funta Gorda, irom its 
running into a cape-like bluff; Yudio Muerto, 
from some Indian found dead thereabouts; 
Cacique, from the title of the tribal chiefs of 
the Indians; Yanonali, from the name of a 
famous old Indian chief who lived there; 
Montecito, from its leading to the beautiful 
valley bearing that name. Carpenteria street, 
too, was named from its running the route to 
the present settlement of Carpenteria, twelve 
miles east of this city; and this spot in its 
turn took the name (Carpenter Shop) from 
the presence near its creek of a shop of that 
sort. Gutierrez street was so called after 
Don Octaviano Gutierrez, a noted member of 
the town council. Haley street was named 
after Salisbury Haley, who made the famous 
"Haley Survey" in 1850; and Cota, Ortega, 
and de la Guerra streets after the respective 
families of these names. Carrillo took its 
name from Don Joaquin Carrillo, the District 
Judge, whose house fronted upon it; Figueroa 
was named after Jose Figueroa, Governor of 
California during the Mexican rule; his bones 
lie in the vault of the Mission church here. 
Micheltorena for Manuel Micheltorena, Gov- 
ernor in 1842; Arellaga from Jose Joaquin 
Arellaga, Governor in 1792-'94; Victoria for 
Manuel Victoria, Governor of this depart- 
ment in 1831; Sola from Vicente Sola, Gov- 
ernor from 1815 to 1823. Anapanan was 



named for an Indian chieftain who held sway 
from Santa Ynes to San Fernando; Valerio 
for a renowned Indian robber who dwelt in a 
cave in the Santa Ynes mountains; Yslay 
comes from the fruit of a tree used as food by 
the Indians. Fedregoso means stony, and 
the street is thus called because cot through 
by the creek named Arroyo Pedregoso (Stony 
Gulch). Mission street takes its name from 
its proximity to the mission of Santa Barbara. 
Of the streets which run southeast and 
northwest, Salinas was so called because it 
runs into a salt sink or pond; Canada, from 
its running into a ravine; Soledad (a soli- 
tude), because that part of the town was un- 
inhabited and solitary when the name was 
applied to it. Voluntario (volunteer), because 
it runs into the hill whereon was encamped 
Fremont's volunteer battalion; Alisos (syca- 
mores), from the trees of that variety there 
growing; Milpas (sowed fields), from the 
sowing patches of the Indians in that locality; 
Nopal, from the prickly-pear cactus there 
growing iD abundance; Quarentena, because 
at its foot some vessels were put into quaran- 
tine; Salsipuedes ("Get out if you can"), 
from the gulches and ravines crossed by it, 
which rendered travel on this street a serious 
business. To Canal street was given the 
name from its being the first on that side 
extended to the channel; Laguna, because it 
traverses a system of lagoons; Jardines, or 
Garden, street is so named for that it cuts 
through the gardens of Captain de la Guerra 
and others. Santa Barbara street has a name 
of obvious origin. Anacapa street points 
toward the island of that name. State, the 
principal street, takes its name from the com- 
monwealth of California. Chapala was so 
named in honor of a town and a lake near 
Guadalaxara, Mexico, from which came some of 
the early emigrants to Santa Barbara. De 
la Vina, or Vineyard street, was laid out 



SANTA R ABB ABA COUNTY. 



65 



through a vineyard planted in 1802 by Gov- 
ernor Goycoschea. Bafios (Baths) street was 
so called from its leading to that part of the 
beach most used for bathing. Castillo or 
Castle street led to the hill on which stood an 
old Spanish fort, mounted with cannon. Ran- 
cheria comes from a cluster of Indian tents 
that formed a native village at that point. 
San Pasciial street commemorates the field of 
a battle fought between the American forces 
and the Californians in 1846. San Andres 
(Saint Andrew) is claimed to honor Andres 
Pico, who figured conspicuously in that bat- 
tle. Chino street is said also to derive its 
name from the Chino Bancho, in that same 
district. Gillespie street was named from Lieu- 
tenant — afterwards \ Captain — Gillespie, who 
figured in the American occupation; and 
Bobbins street took its name from Captain 
Bobbins, who owned the Bancho Los Positas, 
to which this street extends. 

The situation of Santa Barbara is particu- 
larly favorable for effective sewage, the slope 
of State street being at no point less than 
nineteen feet in the mile. This street is 
sewered throughout, starting with eight-inch 
pipe and terminating with twelve-inch. This 
line, which is two miles long, is terra-cotta 
to the wharf, whence it is iron pipe, extend- 
ing 1,000 feet into the sea. Chapala street 
is sewered from Gutierrez to Yslay, a dis- 
tance of fifteen blocks; and de la Vina has 
three blocks of sewer, and Pedregosa also is 
sewered from Santa Barbara to State street. 
All this is after the "Waring system. 

From State street run two storm conduits, 
extending in two directions, to the creek and 
to the Estero; their cost was $20,000. 

The city has a Eire Department, partly 
paid and partly volunteer, comprising one 
steam and one hand engine, two hose-carts 
with 2,000 feet of hose, and one hook and 
ladder company. The quarters are in the 



City Hall building. The number of mem- 
bers is about thirty. The fire alarms are 
given according to wards. 

The watering of streets is provided for 
with four water-carts, and also a patent street- 
sweeping machine operates on State street. 

Santa Barbara contains, besides the institu- 
tions and practitioners elsewhere mentioned, 
six large hotels, three surveyors, about twenty 
private boarding-houses, three restaurants, 
eight dry-goods houses, twenty grocery and 
general merchandise stores, three feed stores, 
two nurseries, one florist, one tea and coffee 
store, two feed, lumber and planing mills, 
three fruit stores, three confectionery stores, 
five bakeries, two fish dealers, seven meat 
markets, three wholesale liquor houses, twenty- 
one saloons, four hardware stores, five drug 
stores, one foundry, four furniture and up- 
holstery shops, three second-hand stores, four 
tailor shops, two men's clothing stores, four 
shoe stores, three stationers, two curiosity 
and shell stores, two Chinese fancy goods 
stores, eight or ten Chinese general merchan- 
dise shops, one crockery store, four milliners, 
five jewelry stores, seventeen feed and livery 
stables, four house decorators, six painters, 
eight carpenters, nine blacksmith and carri- 
age shops, eight barbers, four photographers, 
seventeen insurance and real-estate offices, 
one skating rink, one theater building, one 
gas company, one ice company (stock im- 
ported from Truckee), four saddle, harness 
and leather goods shops, one luggage trans- 
fer company, four tobacconists, and numer- 
ous gurneys, hacks, omnibuses, etc. 

The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Asso- 
ciation, mainly composed of ladies, have con- 
tracted for a cottage hospital building, to cost 
when completed $12,000 to $15,000. The 
contract was made in November, 1889, and 
the work as thus far completed comprises a 
two-story building with attic, ninety-one feet 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



front, in which twenty-five or thirty patients 
could he accommodated, hesides the offices, 
etc. The outlay thus far, for grading, bridge 
(across irrigating ditch), building, etc., has 
been $7,735.29. The funds have been raised 
partly by donations, partly by a local Trades' 
Carnival. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 

From the United States census returns for 
the year ending June 1, 1870, are taken the 
following statistics: 

Population of the town, 2,970; number of 
births, 131; deaths of children under one year 
of age, 9; ratio of births to deaths, 14-J to 1. 
Total number of deaths, including adults, for 
the same period, 23; percentage of deaths 
for the whole population, 1 in 136, or -^3^ of 
1 per cent. Population of the county, 7,987; 
number of births for above period, 235; total 
number of deaths of children under 1 year 
of age, 15; ratio of births to deaths, 15£ to 1, 
or nearly 16 to 1. Total number of deaths 
in the county, 64, two being accidental; per- 
centage of deaths in total population, 1 in 125, 
or -^gfig- of 1 per cent. 

In 1871, the letters of Charles Nordoff, in 
Harpers' Monthly Magazine and other East- 
ern periodicals, directed the attention of 
Eastern pleasure and health seekers to Santa 
Barbara and its vicinity. Then followed 
from 1871 to 1875 a great influx of immi- 
gration to this county. Blocks in the city 
of Santa Barbara, which in 1870 found a 
slow sale at $100, rapidly appreciated in 
value, until they readily brought $5,000 and 
$6,000. The city was transformed from a 
Mexican village of 1,500 population to a 
charming town, with all the characteristics of 
New England villages except as to climate. 
Lands in the county which theretofore had 
been used exclusively for grazing, now be- 
came farming and fruit lands. From this 
period dates the beginning of the olive and 



the walnut culture; almond trees were exten- 
sively planted; corn and barley were produced 
in large quantities. The cultivation of the 
bean was begun in Carpenteria and La Pa- 
tira. The failure of the Bank of California, 
in 1875, brought all this advancement to an 
end, and the county slumbered until the boom 
of 1887. 

In June, 1886, the Southern Pacific Rail- 
way Company formed an auxiliary corpora- 
tion entitled the Southern Pacific Branch 
Railroad Company, and began the construc- 
tion of a railroad from Soledad in Monterey 
County, then the terminus of the Northern 
Division of said company, to Saugus, a station 
near Newhall, on the Southern Pacific main 
line. For several years a steady advance in 
the values of real property had been going on 
in Los Angeles and adjoining counties. The 
construction of this branch line extended this 
impulse in prices to the counties of Yentura, 
Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. A 
general advance sometimes trebling and 
quadrupling the original price was had along 
the line of the Newport road. A period of 
building activity sprang up; the population 
of these counties was rapidly increased. New 
hotels and business houses were constructed 
in all the principal places — -the Rose and the 
Anacapa at Ventura, the Arlington at Santa 
Barbara and the Ramon in San Luis Obispo. 
Yentura town laid many miles of concrete 
sidewalk, and generally graded and improved 
its streets. State street in Santa Barbara was 
paved with bituminous rock for a distance of 
two miles, at acostof $180,000. In August, 
1887, the railroad ceased construction, and 
immediately, presto, change! a sudden cessa- 
tion of activity took place. Property, which 
had rapidly changed hands, now became slow 
of sale, and a considerable drop in prices oc- 
curred. Building operations largely ceased 
and further improvements were not attempted. 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



67 



Recently, under promises of a speedy resump- 
tion of work upon the railroad, financial 
affairs have assumed a better aspect, and a 
more healthful feeling has been given to 
business. 

During the boom of 1887 there were re 
corded twenty-eight sales ranging from $10,- 
000 to $250,000, which alone aggregated 
$1,679,000. There were, further, about 
$500,000 worth of property covered by bonds; 
and at the lowest estimate $3,000,000 in sales 
of smaller figures than those just given; thus 
during seven months of that year over $5,- 
000,000 changed hands. 

During the same period of seven months, 
at least $500,000 were expended in improve- 
ments, buildings, etc. 

The Santa Barbara postoffice is of the sec- 
ond class; its stajff comprises a postmaster 
(salary $2,300) and three assistants. The 
total receipts of the postal account average 
$8,000 per annum. The registry business 
comprises about 3,000 pieces yearly. The 
money order business, domestic and interna- 
tional, and postal notes, paid, for 1890, are 
estimated at $35,000; postal money orders 
and postal notes issued approximate $25,000 
per annum. There are in this office 675 
boxes, of which perhaps eighty per cent, are 
rented at 75 cents per quarter. 

Santa Barbara has had free postal delivery 
since July 15, 1890, there being three car- 
riers, at $600 per year. 

The city officials of Santa Barbara, Sep- 
tember, 1890, are as follows: Mayor, P. J. 
Barber; Councilmen, Jos. B. Wentling, 
Frank P. Moore, M. F. Burke, C. E. Sher- 
man, H. B. Brastow; Police Judge, "W. H. 
Wheaton ; Assessor, A. Davis; Treasurer, 
Ulpiano Yndart; City Attorney, Thomas Mc- 
Nulta; Tax Collector, W. S. Maris; Clerk, 
F. N. Gutierrez; Surveyor, Engineer and 
Street Superintendent, John K. Harrington; 



Janitor and Fire Engineer, J. T. Stewart; 
Marshal, D. W. Martin; Night Watchmen, 
G. J. Fullington, Thomas Knightly; School 
Trustees, C. A. Storke, George F. Trenwith, 
and J. T. Johnston. 

The old graveyard adjoining the Santa 
Barbara Mission must have received 6,000 to 
10,000 dead into its narrow limits. 

Soon after the coming of the Americans, a 
site for a new cemetery was chosen on the 
hillside, immediately north of the town. The 
town plat, when surveyed, was found to in- 
clude portions of this ground; and as the city 
was built up about it, much complaint was 
made of the interment of bodies there, and 
further use was prohibited by a city ordi- 
nance. This was, however, disregarded by 
the then president of the Mission, and so the 
grand jury took up the question, in Septem- 
ber, 1873, and burials here were then discon- 
tinued. Thomas Hope donated a tract of 

acres in a district lying about five miles 

from Santa Barbara, toward the Patera, and 
this is the present Roman Catholic burying 
ground. 

THE PUBLIC LIBKARY. 

The first movement toward the establish- 
ment of a public library originated with the 
order of Odd Fellows, which organization had 
procured a collection of books, and main- 
tained for a time a library under their own 
auspices. Circumstances arose which caused 
the discontinuance of this library, and the 
books were removed from circulation and 
stored away for a considerable time. 

Under the regulations of "An Act to Es- 
tablish Free Public Libraries and Reading 
Rooms, approved by the Legislature of Cali 
fornia, April 26, 1880, the city council, in 
session of February 16, 1882, adopted a res 
olution to establish such an institution, and 
five trustees were accordingly voted for at the 
next election of city officers, T. B. Dibblee, 



68 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



James M. Short, 0. N. Dimmick, W. E. 
Noble, and S. B. P. Knox being elected. 

After a number of preliminary meetings 
a permanent organization was effected, Dr. 
S. B. P. Knox being elected permanent presi- 
dent, and James M. Short permanent secre- 
tary. 

The custodians of the former Odd Fellows' 

Library donated all the books, etc., which had 

belonged to that institution, and which were 

formally accepted by the trustees of the 

Santa Barbara Free Public Library. 

The books so delivered comprised 2,921 
volumes; to these, during the first year, were 
added by purchase 300, and by donation 252 
volumes. 

A set of very liberal rules and regulations 
were adopted, and Mrs. Mary Page was 
elected librarian. 

The library at present contains 5,740 well- 
selected volumes, and it issues 3,974 cards, 
each representing a drawer of books. Fiction 
represents the greatest demand from readers, 
and next come travels, history, and miscel- 
laneous works. The rooms are comfortably 
fitted, and every care is taken to provide for 
their profitable use by readers and students. 
Mrs. M. C. Rust, the present librarian, has 
been the incumbent for the past few years,, 
and Mrs. F. C. Lord her assistant. Both 
ladies are attentive, courteous and capable in 
the discharge of their duties. 

THE SANTA BARBARA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 

In December, 1876, this society was or- 
ganized with a list of twenty-one members 
and the following officers: President, Rev. 
Stephen Bowers; Vice Presidents, Mrs. Ell- 
wood Cooper, H. C. Ford, L. 1ST. Dimmick; 
Treasurer, Dr. Mason; Corresponding Secre- 
tary, Mrs. H. G. Otis; Recording Secretary, 
Miss Abbie I. Hails; Curator, Prof. Al- 
phonse Bel. 



The objects of the society, as set forth in 
its constitution, are, "The increase and diffu- 
sion of knowledge of the natural sciences, 
by the establishment of a museum, the read- 
ing and publication of original papers," etc. 

For the first two years of its existence, the 
society met in the Santa Barbara College 
building. Its property at this time consisted 
of a few specimens, contained in one case, 
and a few books and pamphlets. Removing 
hence, the society occupied until 1883 a place 
in the public library, owned by the I. O. O. 
F. During this period, little progress was 
made. In 1883 a new impetus was given by 
the transfer of about 1,200 volumes of Gov- 
ernment publications, which had been in 
charge of the Santa Barbara College. Funds 
were now donated by the citizens for the pur- 
chase of necessary furniture and book-cases. 

In 1884 the society removed from rented 
rooms to two fine rooms adjoining the Free 
Public Library, liberally offered by the pro- 
prietors of the Clock Building. During this 
year, from the proceeds of an entertainment 
given by the citizens, there was purchased a 
collection of archaeological specimens, valued 
at $300. 

For many years, large numbers of fine 
ethnological and archaeological specimens, im- 
possible to replace, had been unearthed and 
carried from this section by Government ex- 
peditions, agents of foreign museums, col. 
lectors for institutions in other States, and 
innumerable individuals collecting for specu- 
lation. The Natural History Society has 
done energetic and most desirable service in 
checking this movement, and in collecting 
and preserving for the use of this section 
relics thereunto appertaining. The museum 
and library have been steadily increasing, by 
donations and by purchase. This society's 
library is a depository — and the only one 
south of San Francisco — of all the publica- 



SANTA RAEBABA COUNTY. 



09 



tions issued by the United States Govern- 
ment, exceedingly useful as works of reference. 
These rooms are accessible to all during the 
public library hours, but books may be taken 
out only by members of the society. 

The museum contains: In entomology, 
299 species; ornithology, 85 mounted birds, 
6 nests, 132 eggs; mammals, 5 species, 
mounted; conchology, about 900 species ma- 
rine and fresh-water shells; Crustacea, 12 
marine specimens, numerous corals; reptiles, 
33 species, in alcohol; botanical, marine algae, 
330 species; flowering plants, about 2,000 
mounted specimens, 80 miscellaneous vari- 
eties; geological, 69 fossils, corals, crinoids, 
fish, shells, and insects; minerals, over 500 
specimens; Indian relics, over 700 varieties, 
very interesting; bound volumes, 2,053; pam- 
phlets and parts 61' volumes, 3,534; a large 
painting, by Henry C. Ford of "the Grizzly 
Giant," Sequoia gigantea; a stone chair used 
by the Incas of South America, found near 
Guayaquil; numerous photographs and curios. 

The present officers of the society are: 
President, H. C. Ford; Vice Presidents, L. 
G. Yates, James W. Calkins, Mrs. A. A. 
Boyce; Treasurer, Mrs. Mary A. Ashley; 
Corresponding and Recording Secretary, L. 
G. Yates; Curator and Librarian, Mrs. C. F. 
Lord; Publication Committee, H. C. Ford, 
L. G. Yates. 

The society has a membership of over 
forty-five, of whom, however, not very many 
are active members. It is proper to note 
that Henry Chapman Ford, president of the 
society, is a painter of some distinction, and 
that to his devotion and enthusiasm are due 
his charming etchings and studies in oil of 
the old missions, being the only pictures in 
existence of the entire chain of those his- 
toric structures, now mostly fallen to ruin. 

Dr. Lorenzo Gordin Yates, corresponding 
and recording secretary, lias been honored by 



election as a Fellow of the Linnean Society 
of London, a distinction enjoyed by only six 
citizens of the United States. Dr. Yates, 
assisted by John Gilbert Baker, F. R. S., of 
the Royal Herbarium at Kew, is about to 
publish a list of " All Known Ferns," which 
will be a valuable contribution to fern knowl- 
edge. 

The librarian and curator, Mrs. C. F. Lord 
is most energetic, assiduous, and efficient in 
her duties, and courteous in her treatment of 
persons visiting the rooms. 

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS. 

The fraternal organizations of Santa Bar- 
bara are as follows: 

Santa Barbara Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. 
M.: E. G. Dodge, W. M.; W. B. Squier", 
Secretary. 

Magnolia Lodge, No. 242, F. & A. M.: B. 
F. Thomas, W. M.; R. D. Smith, Secretary. 

Corinthian Chapter, No. 51, Royal Arch 
Masons: J. "W. Hiller, High Priest; A. B. 
Williams, Secretary. 

St. Omar Commandery, No. 30, Knights 
Templar; Sir F. M. Casal, E. C; Sir J. II. 
Austin, Recorder. 

Santa Barbara Lodge, No. 156, I. O. O. F. : 
D. O. Kelly, N G.; T. R. Dawe, Secretary^ 

Channel City Lodge, No. 232, I. (). O. F.: 
C. S. Sawyer, N. G.; W. H. Stafford, R. S. 

Santa Barbara Encampment, No. 52, I. O. 
O. F., organized December, 1875: J. M. Hol- 
loway, C. P.; Fred Forbush, Scribe. 

Santa Barbara Lodge, K. of P., No. 25 
organized in 1876: S. W. Ireland, C. C; A. 
Davis, K. of R. and S. 

Castle Rock Lodge, K of P., No. 151, or- 
ganized in 1886: L. Brooks, C. C; J. L. 
Hurlbut, K. of R. and S. 

A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 172, organized in 
1881: J. T. Johnson, W. M.; W. H. Myers, 
Recorder. 



70 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



Santa Barbara Parlor, No. 116, Native 
Sons of the Golden West: W. H. Maris, 
President; C. J. Murphy, Secretary. 

Branch No. 39, Young Men's Institute: 
L. F. Ruiz, President; Rudolph Wakurka, 
Secretary. 

Young Men's Christian Association and 
Free Reading Room, organized April, 1888. 

Starr King Post, No. 52, Department of 
California, G. A. R.: H. M. Yan Winkle, Post 
Commander; F. A. Rowan, Adjutant; A. 
Davis, Quartermaster. 

Starr King Woman's Relief Corps: Flor- 
ence Salada, Mrs. E. J. Thompson, Secretary. 

Marguerite Chapter, No. 78, O. E. S.: 
Mrs. N. M. Axtell, W. M.; Eli Rundell, 
Secretary. 

Woman's Christian Temperance Union: 
Mrs. H. D. Yail, President; Mrs. M. F. 
Clapp, Secretary. 

CHURCHES. 

With the advent of Americans, other than 
Catholic churches were speedily organized in 
the county. As early as 1854, Rev. Adam 
Bland, Presiding Elder of the Los Angeles 
Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
held services here, and thus this denomina- 
tion may be called really the pioneer of Prot- 
estantism in this county, although not the 
first to organize. 

The circumstances were adverse to organ- 
ization up to 1868, when the Rev. R. R. 
Dunlap was appointed to the charge of the 
community embracing Santa Barbara, La Pa- 
tera, Montecito, Carpenteria and San Buena- 
ventura, although there was no organized 
society in any of these places. In 1868, Rev. 
P. Y. Cool was appointed to the service, and 
succeeded in organizing a church with eight- 
een members, and building a parsonage and 
chapel. The first worship was conducted in 
the court-house, then called the Egerea House. 
The native population were much opposed to 



having Protestant service in the town, but 
offered no violence, although resorting to an- 
noying disturbances, such as causing the 
squealing of hogs and the howling of dogs to 
interrupt the service. The public school- 
house also was at one time used for holding 
service. 

On July 17, 1869, the contract was let for 
a new brick church which cost $5,824.75, 
which was dedicated December 5, 1869. At 
the end of Mr. Cool's three-year pastorate, 
there were sixty-one members and parishion- 
ers. When the present incumbent, E. W. 
Caswell, was appointed, September, 1888, the 
charge numbered 210 members and parish- 
ioners, with an average attendance of 128 
Sunday-school scholars. 

The Parochiil Church (Catholic) of Santa 
Barbara was built in 1853 by the Franciscans. 
In 1855 Bishop J. Amat arrived and took 
possession. In 1865 the church was burned, 
and rebuilding was begun in 1866. The first 
pastor was Y. R. B. Rajo, who remained in 
charge only ten months, being succeeded by 
Rev. F. Torrentian, who was in 1887, in his 
turn, succeeded by Y. R. F. James Yila, the 
present incumbent, who has the entire charge, 
wholly independent of the mission, the friars 
having nothing to do with the administration 
of the parish. Father Yila is assisted by 
Father M. G. G. B. F. Cesari. 

Trinity Church.— In March, 1867, Rev. T. 
G. Williams having been sent, to Santa Bar- 
bara by the bishop, a meeting of Episcopa- 
lians was held, a board of trustees elected, 
and a church incorporated under the name 
of " Trinity." Services were held regularly 
in the old brick school-house until Christ- 
mas-day, 1869, when, a brick church having 
been built, the first Protestant place of wor- 
ship in the county was opened. The interior 
of the church at that time was unfinished. 
This church was used continuously up to 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



71 



1887. Late in 1886, in anticipation of the 
speedy arrival of the railroad, and the conse- 
quent probable great increase of the congre- 
gation, movements were taken to secure 
larger quarters. ¥m, R. Broome donated a 
valuable lot, and a handsome building was 
thereupon erected. Although the edifice was 
not yet complete, on Easter Sunday, 1888, 
Rev. Dr. John JBakewell held the first service 
therein, to a congregation of over 500 persons; 
and on July 29, Rt. Rev. Bishop Kip, as- 
sisted by the Dean of the diccere, formally 
opened the new church, under the old name 
of " Trinity." This church has now (October, 
1890) been without a pastor since August. 

St. MarVs Episcopal Church was organ- 
ized in the spring of 1876, with Rev. Robert 
Scott as pastor. A suitable edifice was built, 
but it was sold to the Baptist congregation 
when St. Mark's re-united with Trinity 
Church, from which it was an offshoot. 

The Congregational Church had services 
here as early as 1866, when Rev. J. A. John- 
son preached his first sermon in the court- 
house. At the close of the service, a resolu- 
tion was adopted, asking him to remain in 
the town and organize a church society, which 
he did. In 1807 a permanent society was or- 
ganized. Mr. Johnson's ministry closed in 
1869. In 1870 a new brick church was ded- 
icated, built at a cost of §9,000 on a lot do- 
nated for the purpose. The present pastor, 
Rev. C. T. Weitzel. was installed in 1887. 

The Preslnjterian Church was organized 
in June, 1869, under Rev. Thomas Frazer, 
with an enrollment of nineteen members, 
many being ex-inembers of the congregation 
organized by Mr. Johnson. Rev. II. II. 
Dubbins was the first pastor, and the next, 
Dr. Phelps, who increased the congregation 
to nearly 100. In 1^71 was built a church 
costing $15,000. The present pastor is A. 
II. Carrier. 



The Baptist Church was organized in 1874. 
The first pastor was II. I. Parker. In 1875 
this congregation purchased the old Presby- 
terian chapel, and in 1882 St. Mark's (an off- 
shoot from Trinity), which is still their place 
of worship. Rev. Alex. Grant is the present 
pastor. 

The Unitarian Church was organized about 
1880. The present place of worship is a 
chapel on State street, near which is building 
a handsome new stone chapel for this denom- 
ination at a cost of $28,000. Rev. Philip S. 
Thacher is pastor. 

The Christian Church was organized here 
in 1888. Rev. T. D. Garvin is pastor. Serv- 
ice is held in the old Trinity chapel. 

The Holiness Church was organized in 
1884. The pastor is J. A. Foster. 

The Faith Mission was established in 
1884. Mrs. E. J. Scudder is pastor. 

In 1889 a very handsome church was built, 
a ta cost of $16,000. In 1887, the East 
Santa Barbara Methodist Church was organ- 
ized, a lot was purchased, and a new church 
erected, at a cost of $2,100. 

The Methodist Church, South, was organ- 
ized in 1889, and a church building is beinir 
erected. 

BANKS. 

The First National Panic is the pioneer 
financial institution of this county. It was 
organized in 1873; its president being Mort- 
imer Cook, and the other officers the present 
ones. In 1876 was completed the present 
bank block at the corner of State street and 
Canon Perdido, an imposing three-story 
brick structure 

This bank at present controls a system of 
safe deposit vaults also. 

The officers are: J. W. Calkins, president; 
Hugh I). Vail, vice-president; A. L. Lin- 
coln, ashier; II. P. Lincoln, assistant 
iier. 



72 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



The Santa Barbara Cor.nty National Bank 
was organized in July, 1875, a.3 a State insti- 
tution, being then known as the Santa Bar- 
bara Connty Bank, with a paid up capital of 
$50,000. In February, 1880, it was reorgan- 
ized under the National Banking Laws, tak- 
ing its present title. About the end of 1886 
its capital was increased to $100,000. Its 
statement for August, 1887, showed an 
increase in business of nearly $200,000 over 
that shown in December, 1886. The officials 
of the bank are as follows: William M. Eddy, 
president; John Edwards, vice-president; 
Eugene S. Sheffield, cashier; Charles A. Ed- 
wards, assistant cashier. These officers are 
the same in charge since the beginning, save 
the assistant cashier, lately added. 

The Santa Barbara Savings Bank was in- 
corporated September, 1886, opening its doors 
for business in December, 1886, with a capi- 
tal of $50,000. In October, 1887, it was 
merged in the Commercial Bank, incorporated 
August, 1887, which commenced business 
October 1, 1887. Its officers at organization 
were: John H. Redington, president; E. B. 
Hall, vice-president; W. B. Metcalf, cashier. 
The present officers are: George S. Edwards, 
president; E. B. Hall, vice-president; W. B. 
Metcalf, cashier. This bank expects to occupy, 
by January 1, 1891, its own new edifice, now 
building on State street. 



THE COURT-HOUSE 



was built in 1872. For years past, constant 
complaints had come in from successive 
grand juries of the total inefficiency of the 
court-house and jail, from which prisoners 
could escape almost at will. The murderer 
of Abadie had thus escaped, after some 
$1,700 had been spent for guarding him. 
After many delays on the score of deficiency 
of funds, the board of supervisors requested 
the legislature to pass a bill authorizing the 



issue of bonds, not to exceed $50,000, bear- 
ing interest at seven per cent, per annum, 
payable in thirty years from date. The bill 
was passed, and plans called for, that of P. J. 
Barber being selected from among the many 
offered. From the many bids received, that 
of Edward R. Fogarty, for $16,825 for car- 
penter work, was accepted, and two bids of 
Stevens and Joyner, for $16,595 and $1,922, 
for regular and for supplementary mason - 
work, respectively. The corner-stone was 
laid on October 5, 1872. The architecture 
is pure Corinthian in order. The edifice has 
a cupola, and a surmounted dome, with lan- 
tern finish. The general plan has the form 
of a Greek cross. The material is brick and 
iron, upon a stone foundation. Originally, 
and for many years, the jail was situated in 
the basement of the main building. Be- 
sides the court-rooms and judges' chambers, 
the court-house contains the offices of all 
the county officials except the recorder. 
The building cost some $60,000. Within 
the last few years there has been placed in it 
a fine steel lined vault for the safe-keeping 
of the county's treasure and court records. 



THE COUNTY JAIL 



was built in 1876, at a cost of about $9,000. 
It is 28 x 36 feet, and contains an office, sitting- 
room, dining-room, kitchen, pantry, closet, 
and hall. In the second story are three large 
cells for female prisoners, the main entrance 
to which is through a wrought-iron skeleton 
door. The prison part of the jail is 28 x 31 
feet over the ground, and one story high. 
The floor is of stone, save in the prisons, 
where it is of three-eighth inch steam-boiler 
iron, overlaid with wood. Entering through 
the iron door, one reaches the hall, which is 
six feet wide, and runs the full length of the 
building. This hall is made of iron bars, 
three fourths of an inch square, set on end, 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



7J 



three inches apart, between the floor and the 
ceiling, with iron doors at the left and right, 
opening into the cells, eight In number. The 
doors are opened by levers from the main 
hall. The cells are seven feet long, six wide, 
and eight high. During the day, the pris- 
oners have the freedom of the hall, being 
locked up at night. The ceiling, floor, parti- 
tions, and doors of the cell, are all made of 
the boiler iron aforesaid. 

THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY HOSPITAL, POOR 
FARM, AND ALMS-HOUSE, 

(for these establishments are combined in 
one), is situated just outside the city limits 
on the east. The grounds cover an area of 
about ten acres, sufficing for the raising of 
fruits and vegetables in a garden and orchard 
attached to the premises. The board of 
supervisors each year appoints a county phy- 
sician and a hospital superintendent, and 
nurses are employed as needed. There are 
at present one female and about twenty male 
inmates. The percentage of females seeking 
assistance here is small, owing; to the same 
reason which accounts for the fact that the 
character of the inmates is rapidly changing; 
formerly they were mostly acute cases, but 
now they are mainly chronic. This is because 
very many of those received here are either 
tramps, or 6ick persons who reach Santa Bar- 
bara with means of support for a few days 
only, after which they become objects of 
charity. Dr. S. B. P. Knox, who is the pres- 
ent incumbent, has been county physician 
for some eight years in all, at one time filling 
the office for six years in succession. 

Besides the inmates of the poor farm, the 
county has some forty pensioners, mostly of 
Spanish-American blood, who live at their 
own dwellings, or with relatives, and receive 
a monthly allowance of $4, $6, or $8. 



RAILROADS. 

From time to time movements have been 
made in Santa Barbara to secure the running 
of railways, of various lines, through this 
section. Meetings had been held, resolutions 
adopted, and memorials drawn up, but all to 
very little, in fact to no, purpose. 

Only when it was clear that self-interest 
was thoroughly warranted, when further de- 
lay would positively divert an important and 
desirable revenue into other channels, when 
the rich products of this section guaranteed 
freight shipments to warrant extortions, the 
railroad at last condescended. 

On the afternoon of Friday, August 19, 
1887, the first regular psssenger train pulled 
into Santa Barbara, with a lame number of 
visitors from Los Angeles, "Ventura, and 
other neighboring cities. At the same time 
arrived a special excursion train from San 
Francisco, with a load of railway officials and 
other parties interested in Santa Barbara. 
Altogether, it is estimated that about 5,000 
people visited the city during this railway 
jubilee celebration. The hotel accommoda- 
tions proving inadequate, the houses of the 
citizens were thrown open in generous hospi- 
tality to the visiting strangers, who were met 
at the station, with bands and conveyances, 
and driven about the city. In the evening 
was given at the Arlington a grand banquet, 
at which sat down fifty of the guests, with 
fifty of the leading citizens. Also there 
were read many letters and telegrams of re- 
grets from prominent State officials and 
railway magnates. Speeches and toasts were 
offered, and congratulations on this event for 
Santa Barbara. The next day, Saturday, 
August 20, there was a grand parade at 10 
A. m , in which participated the public or- 
ganizations of Santa Barbara and other 
points in the county, as well as many features 
of individual representation. The procession 



74 



SANTA BA1WARA COUNTY. 



was headed by the Presidio Band, of San 
Francisco, and the local bands followed at 
intervals. One of the most interesting feat- 
ures was the illustration of the successive 
stages of progress in land transportation — 
the pack-mule, the stage coach of 1860, and 
the Pullman car of 1887. Many of the de- 
signs displayed upon floats in the procession 
were developed in the flowers for which this 
section is justly famous. At noon, the pro- 
cession moved to Burton Mound, where the 
Santa Barbara ladies served a complimentary 
luncheon to the citizens and the visitors, 
after which this large and enthusiastic throng 
listened, before adjourning, to other speeches. 
At different periods efforts have been 
made to secure from Congress appropriations 
for a breakwater at Santa Barbara, but all 
such movements have been tentative or ini- 
tiatory only, and leading to no practical 
result. 

THE WATER SUPPLY 

of Santa Barbara is purveyed by the Mission 
Water Company, incorporated in 1872, 
which in the following year made through 
its pipes and mains a regular service. For 
this purpose the living springs of Mission 
Canon have been tapped, and the waters of 
Mission Creek utilized. There are two res- 
ervoirs, whose total capacity is some 4,000,- 
000, that of the storage reservoir being 
3,000,000 and of the distributing reservoir 
750,000 gallons. The distributing reservoir 
is about 200 feet above the highest, and 325 
feet above the lowest, portion of the city, 
thus giving sufficient pressure to throw a 
stream over the highest building in the city. 
There are in use several miles of distributing 
pipes, four to six inches in diameter. 

ELECTKIC LIGHT. 

Since November 1, 1887, Santa Barbara 
has been municipally lighted by the electric 



system. There are two towers 150 feet high, 
each having four 2,000-candle power lamps, 
and twenty-eight masts sixty and eighty feet 
high, each with one 2,000-candle-power 
lamp. State street is thus lighted through- 
out its entire length, and the rest of the 
lamps are distributed about the city. This 
system costs the city about $500 monthly. 
Besides the city lights, there are in use over 
sixty arc -lights of l,200candle-power, and 
a large number of incandescent lights of va- 
rious powers, used for the lighting of mer- 
cantile houses, hotels, and other private 
establishments. 



MINOR ITEMS. 



The telephone office at this city was 
opened July 10, 1886, with a list of thirty- 
five subscribers, now increased to 149, all 
within the city limits. 

There are in Santa Barbara County post- 
offices as follows: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, 
Lompoc, Los Alamos, Guadalonpe, Summer- 
land, Stuart, Sisquoc, Serena, Santa Maria, 
Santa Ynez, Nojoqui, Montecito, Los Olivos, 
Goleta, Carey, Carpenteria and Ballard's. Of 
these, the first five are money order offices, 
that at Santa Barbara having international 
exchange. 

The Santa Barbara county officials at pres- 
ent date, September, 1890, are as follows: 

District Court Commissioner, Charles Fer- 
nald; State Senator, E. H. Heacock; Assem- 
blyman, C. A. Storke; Superior Judge, R. 
M. Dillard; County Court Commissioner, 
S. W. Bouton; Clerk, F. L. Kellogg; Offi- 
cial Court Reporter, C. F. Reynolds; Re- 
corder, C. A. Stuart; Sheriff, R J. Brough- 
ton; Under Sheriff, R. D. Smith; Au- 
ditor, J. T. Johnson; Tax-Collector, M. 
F. Burke; Treasurer, E. S. Sheffield; Sur- 
veyor, A. S. Cooper; District Attorney, W. 
B. Cope; Assessor, Frank Smith; Deputy 



SANTA BARBAE A COUNTY. 



Assessors, J. L. Barker, Santa Barbara; C.J. 
Young, Lompoc; B. M. Smith, Carpenteria; 
George Smith, Los Alamos; School Super- 
intendent, G. E. Thurmond; Public Admin- 
istrator, W. B. Hosmer; Coroner, A. M- 
Buiz; Supervisors — Thomas Hosmer, H. G. 
Crane, A. M. Boyd, D. T. Truitt, A. W. Cox- 



THE MISSION. 



As the Mission (now a college of Frau- 
ciscans) is one of the most notable features 
of the place, from its historic associations, 
and for its present picturesqueness, a brief 
recapitulation of its history here will hardly 
be superfluous. On the feast of Santa Bar- 
bara, Virgin and Martyr (December 4), 1786, 
on the site occupied by the present edifice, 
Very Reverend Father Fermin Francisco de 
Lasuen, President of the Missions, and suc- 
cessor to Padre Junipero Serra, raised the 
cross and founded the Mission, being assisted 
by Padres Antonio Paterna and Cristobal 
Oramas. On December 15, Padre Lasuen 
celebrated mass and preached in a hut or 
booth, built for the occasion from boughs or 
branches of trees. At this service was present 
the Governor, Pedro Fages, accompanied by 
a few soldiers. In the year 1787 were built 
a house for thepriests, 36x15, and a church 
or chapel, 30 x 15, having adobe walls three 
feet thick, and temporary roofs made of 
heavy rafters, across which were tied long 
poles or canes, over which was spread a layer 
of mud or clay, the whole then thatched with 
straw. In the following year, the Fathers, 
with the 200 Indians then living at the Mis- 
sion, began the manufacture of tiles, with 
which they then roofed the buildings. 

By the year 1789 the first church was 
razed, as too small, and a new one, 85x15, 
was erected, as also many new houses for 
dwellings for the Indians of the Mission, by 
this time numbering nearly 500. 



In 1793 was begun, and in 1794 was fin- 
ished, the third church of this Mission, a 
large adobe structure, 127^x25^, containing 
six chapels and a large sacristy. It had a 
brick portico, walls well plastered with mor- 
tar, and tile roof. In this year died liev. 
Father Antonio Paterna, the first minister of 
this Mission. 

As the Indians here now numbered 782, 
and were increasing rapidly, it became neces- 
sary to form a village and give a separate 
house to each family; and so, in 1798, there 
were erected nineteen houses for as many In- 
dian families; and during the years follow- 
ing an average of thirty-five new houses per 
year, so that by 1807 the Indian village con- 
tained 252 houses and as many families. In 
1806 was built a reservoir of mason-work, 
116 feet square by seven feet deep, to collect 
water for the gardens, orchard, etc., and this 
tank is still in existence, used for water 
storage by the water company. In 1808 was 
built in the space before the Mission an orna- 
mental stone fountain and lavatory, still ex- 
isting; and regarded as a "show" feature. 

During the latter part of December, 1812, 
the severe earthquake shocks which then oc- 
curred so damaged all the Mission buildings, 
and particularly the church, that it was 
deemed expedient to take this down and 
build another. From this period, then, dates 
the fourth and present Mission church, which 
was begun in 1815, and finished and conse- 
crated in September, 1820. Its dimensions 
are 170 feet long, forty feet wide, and thirty 
feet from floor to ceiling. The walls, nearly 
six feet thick, are of large cubes of cut sand- 
stone, plastered over, and they are strength- 
ened by heavy and massive stone buttresses 
along the sides and at the angles, thus making 
it the strongest of the Mission edificos. 

Hitherto Upper and Lower California had 
been under the spiritual jurisdiction of the 



7G 



SANTA BAUBARA COUNTY. 



Bishop of Sonora, Mexico. But in 1835 the 
Mexican Congress which revoked the decree 
of 1833 and gave back to the Missions the 
property of which they had then been de- 
spoiled, decreed also that the California 
provinces should have a special or local 
bishop, whose interest would be devoted ex- 
clusively to the welfare and advancement of 
this section. Such a prelate was not assigned, 
however, until 1840, when Pope Gregory 
XYI. elected Right Rev. Francisco Garcia 
Diego y Moreno, a Franciscan father, who 
was solemnly consecrated to the bishopric 
October 4, 1840. On January 11, 1842, he 
arrived at Santa Barbara, and amidst great 
rejoicings took possession of the diocese, 
selecting the Mission as his residence, and 
thus making Santa Barbara the Episcopal 
city. The bishop died at the Mission, April 
30, 1846, and Very Rev. Jose M. Gonzalez 
Rubio, O. S. F., became administrator of the 
diocese, surrendering his charge in 1850 to 
the Right Rev. J. S. Alemany, who had that 
year been consecrated Bishop of Monterey, 
and who in 1835 became Archbishop of San 
Francisco. 

The Mission under its present aspect is 
still very picturesque, although at close range 
something of its charm is lost through the 
results of " restoration," which has destroyed 
the creamy, time-mellowed tints of the sur- 
faces, and imparted a certain obtrusive and 
common-place setness to its appearance. 
Nevertheless, in its architectural fitness, in 
its dimensions, and in its situation, lying as 
it does on a commanding site, where it is 
sure to catch promptly the attention of the 
traveler, whether by land or by sea, the Mis- 
sion bears strong witness to the taste and 
judicial discrimination of the Padres. The 
building has a very oriental aspect, what 
with its long arcade and two twin towers. 
Within, the organ loft is at one end, and the 



high altar at the other. In the vault beneath 
reposes the mortal part of the first Bishop of 
the two Californias, Francisco Garcia Diego, 
above whose tomb hangs his antique hat. 
This vault was recently reopened to receive 
the body of the venerable Father Sanchez, 
who had ministered here since. 

At the left of the church is a wing 130 
feet long, with the pillars and arches of its 
corridor well preserved. On one side is the 
old olive orchard, and scattered near are the 
remains of many now ruined buildings of 
industrial use in the days of the Indian con- 
verts. 

This probably went to decay less than any 
of the other missions, and it was, further- 
more, put in repair for the celebration of the 
centennial of its founding. On this occasion, 
December 4, 1886, visitors from all parts of 
the State came hither. 

Masses and services are held regularly at 
the mission, which is in charge of Rev. 
Joseph O'Keefe, who is accompanied by 
some three or four fathers, and about a 
dozen lay brothers. 

Visitors to the mission are courteously re- 
ceived. Ladies are prohibited from entering 
a certain one of the gardens. 

THE SCHOOLS. 

It would appear that the first beginnings 
of public instruction of Santa Barbara were 
such rudiments as were imparted by one Jose 
Manuel Toca, a grumete, or ship-boy, from 
one of the transports. This required a re- 
muneration of $125, of which each soldier 
paid $1. By the governor's orders, the first 
feature of these presidio schools was the 
teaching of Christian doctrine, then reading 
and writing. Toca taught from the close of 
1795 to 1797, when he was called on board 
ship, being replaced in school by another 
ship-boy. 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



A primary school for girls was opened by 
a woman in 1817, but it would seem to have 
closed rather speedily. 

During the last years of the decade 1810- 
'20, a school was maintained, with Diego 
Fernandez as teacher, on a monthly salary of 
$15; but in 1828 not one pupil was in attend- 
ance, and the alcalde was directed to enforce 
compulsory education. 

Up to 1856, the English language was not 
taught in the common schools, owing to the 
opposition offered thereto by the Spanish 
element of the population. But in that year, 
the county superintendent, George D. Fisher, 
and the school commissioners, Hill, de la 
Palma y Mesa and Huse, held an examination 
of teachers, at which applied Pablo Caracela, 
Mr. Baillis, Victor Mondrau and Owen Con- 
nolly, the two latter of whom were there 
authorized to teacli school for one year, at a 
monthly salary of $75. Through the failure 
of the county superintendent to report, it is 
said for lack of mail facilities, one appropria- 
tion of the State school fund was lost; and 
an attempt was made in the Legislature to so 
remedy the matter that Santa Barbara might 
receive her quota. In objection it was urged 
that Santa Barbara had no school-house, and 
that the English language was not taught 
there at all. Accordingly, the teaching of 
English was this season begun, and after 
some difficulty the quota due Santa Barbara 
was paid over. In 1854 there had been 
levied a school tax of five cents on each $100, 
and this fund provided for increased facilities 
and accommodations. In a letter to the 
school board from Owen Connolly, teacher 
of the first and then only school taught in 
English, he asks for an increase of salary, 
based on the flourishing condition of the 
school. It numbers, he says, seventy-eight 
pupils between the ages of four and fifteen 
years, half of whom were young ladies (age 



not stated!) one-third were Americans, the 
rest of Spanish or Mexican blood. The 
studies were orthography, penmanship, read- 
ing, arithmetic, geography, grammar and 
analysis, of both English and Spanish. 

In 1879 there were thirty school districts 
and 2,976 children of school age. 

For the year ending June 30, 1884, the 
children of school ag-e were 3,445 ; school dis- 
tricts, forty. 

With the increased proportion of Anglo- 
Saxon population, they here as elsewhere 
arranged for the maintenance of that great 
necessity, good public schools, and the system 
has steadily advanced in the county to its 
present proportions. 

The School Department of Santa Barbara 
County is now composed as follows, as pre- 
scribed by the new State constitution of 
1879-'80: The County Board of Education 
consists o£ the county school superintendent, 
ex officio its secretary, and four others, two of 
whom must be teachers holding the highest 
grade of certificate. This board prescribes 
the course of study, the list of text-books, 
and list of books for school libraries; and it 
holds semi-annual examinations, in June and 
December, of teachers for the county schools. 
Every autumn is held a county institute, 
which every teacher is required to attend, 
unless excused by the superintendent for 
sufficient reasons. 

There are three grades of schools, namely, 
primary, grammar grade and grammar 
school course, that receive State appropria- 
tions; and a high school, located in the city 
of Santa Barbara, and supported by county 
tax. The city in the autumn of 1887 con- 
tained five public-school buildings, accom- 
modating twelve primary, five grammar and 
one high school. There was then an enroll- 
ment of 1,031 pupils, taught by twenty 
teachers. 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



The school census of Santa Barbara for the 
year closing June 30, 1886, shows as follows: 
Total number school census children, 3,844, 
divided as follows: white boys, 1,937; white 
girls, 1,888; negro boys, four; negro girls, 
six; Indian boys, four; Indian girl, one. 
Under five years old there were 1,495 white 
and three negro children. The county then 
contained four Chinese children under seven- 
teen years of age, four deaf and dumb and 
seven blind children. 

The births during the year were 129 boys 
and 115 girls; total 244. 

The number of children who attended 
public school during the year were 2,650 
white, seven negro and two Indian. 

There were 136 attending private schools. 

In November, 1887, there were in the 
county forty-six school districts, supplied by 
about seventy teachers. The number of 
children enrolled, between five and seventeen 
years of age, was 3,948, as against 2,696 in 
1886. The total of appropriations during 
that year for school purposes was $46,990.20, 
and the amount paid for teachers' salaries was 
$37,947.95. 

There are at present in Santa Barbara 
County fifty- three school districts, with 
eighty-six incumbent teachers, of whom sixty- 
one are women and twenty- five men. The 
ladies receive an average salary of $61, the 
gentlemen of $75. There are 4,429 children 
of school age in the county, of whom are en- 
rolled 3,648, comprising 1,800 girls and 
1,848 boys. The average daily attendance is 
2,254. 

For the school year closing June 30, 1890, 
the State apportionment for this county was 
$42,840, and the county apportionment, $27,- 
791.45. From this total of $70,631.45 the 
amount paid for teachers' salaries was $50,- 
247.50; for school buildings, $15,395.06; for 
school libraries, $994.96; for apparatus, $1,- 



045.45; for rent, repairs and contingent ex- 
penses, $12,440.16. Total of expenditures, 
$80,123.13. The school bonded indebtedness 
in the county is $81,450. 

The county owns school-houses and furni- 
ture to the value of $143,300; the school 
libraries contain an aggregate of 8,936 vol- 
umes, valued at $10,080, and the apparatus 
supplied to the schools is worth $5,730, thus 
placing the vahiation of school property at 
$159,110. 

The County Board of Education at present 
is composed of School Superintendent G. E. 
Thurmond, T. N. Snow, Miss Josephine 
Rockwood, Mrs. Ida M. Blochman and Hol- 
ton Webb. 

There are in the city of Santa Barbara 
1,630 census children, of whom 1,228 are en- 
rolled in the schools, the average attendance 
being 840. The number of teachers is 
twenty-four. There are five school buildings 
of plain but substantial style, the valuation 
of buildings and furniture being $50,000. 
The corps of teachers numbers a city super- 
intendent and twenty three assistants. 

St. Vincent's College was established 1858, 
by the Sisters of Charity, noble, unselfish 
and energetic women, who have conducted it 
very successfully up to the present. Early 
in its career St. Vincent's possessed an ex- 
cellent four-story brick building, which was 
destroyed by fire March 15, 1874, the loss 
being about $20,000. This calamity, as it 
veritably was to Santa Barbara, was soon re- 
paired by the erection of the present build- 
ing on the site of the burned structure. The 
institute is now a fine three-story brick edi- 
fice of composite architecture, where the Sis- 
ters teach all common branches of instruc- 
tion. Only girls are received here. 

The Santa Barbara College was instituted 
in 1869, by a joint-stock company of the citi- 
zens, and an edifice (at present the San Mar- 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



70 



cos Hotel) was built at a cost of about $35,- 
000. It had an efficient corps of teachers, 
qualified to fit pupils for a business life or 
for the university. It had an average of 
perhaps eighty pupils. It suspended opera- 
tion about 1878. 

There are now in Sauta Barbara three pri- 
vate schools besides St. Vincent's, viz.: the 
Collegiate School, Miss Thayer's School for 
Girls, and the School for Girls kept by Pro- 
fessor Alfred Colin and Madame Colin. 

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 

In the early days the care of the sick was 
of lay origin; that is, by domestic remedies, 
mainly herbal, and in not a few instances 
borrowed from the superstitious rites of the 
aborigines. Surgical operations, too, were 
performed mostly after a rough and amateur- 
ish fashion. As late as June, 1846, Fran- 
cisco de la Guerra wrote to the Governor 
that for the want of good medical men in 
the country he had been under the necessity 
of employing the surgeon of a British man- 
of-war. 

William A. Streeter, as stated elsewhere, 
practiced here as a physician, albeit not 
regularly qualified, from 1845 forward. 

Dr. Nicholas A. Den had arrived here as 
early as 1836, but it would appear from Don 
Francisco's expressed want that Dr. Den did 
not at once begin to practice, nor is the date 
of his embarking in this profession obtain- 
able by the present writer. 

Dr. Samuel Bevier Brinkerhotf, who ar- 
rived here in 1852, soon became a general 
favorite practitioner, and when he died he 
probably knew as many family histories and 
family secrets of the section as a father con- 
fessor, besides having opened or closed the 
gates of life to a vast number of the com- 
munity. Up to the time of his death he 
was a successful practitioner. 



Among the earlier physicians who came to 
Santa Barbara were: Drs. Alexander Perry; 
Wallace, who came in 1850; Shaw, who 
practiced with Dr. Burr is, who came hither 
from Mexico; English, Freeman, Ord (a di- 
rect dscendant of George IT. of England 
and Mrs. Fitzherbert), Biggs and Bates (in 
partnership about 1873), Winchester (came 
about 1873), S. B. P. Knox, Logando (came 
about 1875), etc. 

There are at present about twelve regular 
practicing physicians in the city of Santa 
Barbara, and five practitioners of the homeo- 
pathic school. In the outside towns there 
are ten practicing physicians, as follows: At 
Carpenteria, three; at Santa Maria, two; at 
Santa Ynes, one; at Los Alamos, one; at 
Lompoc, two; at Los Olivos, one; all these 
being of the allopathic school, save one 
homeopath at Carpenteria. Most of thejphysi- 
cians in the city belong to the State Medical 
Association, but there is no county associa- 
tion, although various efforts have been made 
to establish one. 

BENCH AND BAR. 

The following account of the bench and 
bar of Santa Barbara County and the 
Second Judicial District in the early days 
was kindly prepared for the present work 
by Judge Charles Fernald : 

"The bench and bar in newly organized 
communities must always be an interesting 
subject to all readers, professional and lay as 
well. The well-being of the community in 
general depends largely upon the character 
of the bench and the bar, at all times, under 
our system of government. The rights of 
person and property find their surest guar- 
anty in the character of both. Accordingly 
we- have striven to ascertain, as best we may 
at this late date, just how the courts were 
organized, and the character of the judges, 



80 



SANTA BARBARA GOUNT7. 



magistrates, attorneys and counsellors prac- 
ticing here from the adoption of the consti- 
tution and the organization of the courts 
from 1850 to the election and inauguration 
of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. 

"The judicial system of the State under 
the judicial act of 1850 and 1851 was radi- 
cally different from that adopted by the new 
constitution of California in 1879 under the 
influence of the "sand lot," as it has been 
called. The former was much more simple 
in structure, and we can but think a careful 
comparison of the two will show the old 
system very much more effective in its scope 
and practical operation. We have not space 
here to analyze and compare the two systems, 
and it is not our purpose to do so. 

" The act of April 11, 1851, provided for 
the organization of a Supreme Court, con- 
sisting of a chief justice and two associate 
justices, to be elected by the people. The 
State was divided into eleven judicial dis- 
tricts, and provision was made for the term 
of six years for the election of a district 
judge for each district, embracing one or 
more counties according to population. The 
first district embraced the counties of San 
Diego and Los Angeles, and the second the 
counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis 
Obispo, Santa Barbara County at that time 
including in its territory the present county 
of Ventura, cut off from Santa Barbara in 
1872, by an act of the Legislature. The act 
of 1851 also provided for the organization of 
a superior court of the city of San Fran- 
cisco, and for a county court for each of 
the counties of the State, with original and 
appellate jurisdiction, and for the election of 
appointment of county judges to preside 
over said courts. Also for a court of ses- 
sions for each of the counties, over which 
should preside the county judge and two 
associate justices, to be appointed by the 



judge, or to be chosen by the justices of the 
peace of the county when elected. 

"The term of district judges w T as for six 
years and of county judges four years. The 
district court, the county court and the 
court of sessions exercised substantially the 
same jurisdiction as the superior courts now 
do under our present judicial system. The 
county judge also acted as surrogate or 
probate judge, and the court of sessions 
was charged with all of the duties of the 
present boards of supervisors for each 
county. 

"As we have had occasion to say elsewhere 
in speaking of the character of the immigra- 
tion to this State in 1849-50, we now repeat 
here what is undeniably true, that there came 
to the State in those early days the excellence 
aud culture of the older States east of the 
Mississippi River. It would be difficult to 
point to a more able body of men, taken 
altogether than those assembled at Monterey 
in 1850 to frame a constitution for the State 
of California. Such men as William M. 
Gwin, Winfield S. Sherwood, Henry W. Hal- 
leck, L. W. Hastings, Jacob R. Snyder, 
Charles T. Botts, Henry A. Tefft, Thomas 
O. Larkin, Rodman M. Price, J. McHol- 
lingsworth, Myron Norton, Edward Gilbert, 
Benjamin S. Lippincott, Thomas M. Ver- 
meule, Louis Dent, Abel Stearns and the late 
Pablo de la Guerra. There were other able, 
experienced men — merchants, lawyers and 
farmers. The average age of these men was 
about thirty-three years; many of them were 
less than twenty-seven years of age. 

"And it has been a matter of frequent 
assertion that the first Legislature of the 
State of California contained more able men 
than any succeeding one. 

"The first judge of the district court of 
the second judicial district, embracing, as we 
have stated, the counties of Santa Barbara 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



81 



and San Luis Obispo, was Henry A. Tefft, a 
native of Washington County, New York. 
At the date of his appointment he was twen- 
ty-six years of age and resided at Nipomo, 
San Luis Obispo County. He served but 
one year as district judge, having perished 
at the steamboat landing at San Luis Obispo 
in the winter of 1851-'52, in endeavoring to 
land from the steamer in an open boat during 
a heavy storm. 

" Henry Storrow Carnes, still living in 
Santa Barbara, was appointed by the gov- 
ernor of the State to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of Judge Tefft. Carnes held 
the office until the general election in Novem- 
ber, 1852, at which election the late Joaquin 
Carrillo was elected by the people for the 
balance of the term. Carrillo continued to 
hold the office until the year 1863-'64,when the 
late Don Pablo de la Guerra was elected for 
the term of six years. De la Guerra held 
the office until his death in 1873. Walter 
Murray of San Luis Obispo County, was ap- 
pointed by the governor to finish the unex- 
pired term. Judge Murray died in June, 
1875, and Eugene Fawcett was then ap- 
pointed by the governor until the next suc- 
ceeding general election. Judge Fawcett 
was afterward elected to the office and held 
the tame until the adoption of the new con- 
stitution in 1879. 

"The first county judge of Santa Barbara 
County was Joaquin Carrillo. He held the 
office from the date of the organization of the 
court in 1851 until his election as District 
judge in November, 1852, at which time he 
resigned the office of county judge, and the 
Hon. Charles Fernald was then appointed by 
Governor Bigler as his successor." 

" J udgo Charles Fernald arrived in Califor- 
nia in 1849, and in Santa Barbara in 1852. A 
aative of Maine, Judge Fernald had acquired 
much of his legal training at Dorchester, 



Massachusetts, where his favorite recreation 
had been to attend the court of Chief Justice 
Lemuel Shaw. In attendance upon noted 
cases, he had had the great privilege of listen- 
ing to such lights of the bar as Webster, 
Choate, Benjamin R. Curtis, £. R. Hoar, 
W. R. P. Wasiiburne, etc., etc. Judge Fer- 
nald was elected without opposition, by the 
people, at every judicial election thereafter 
until 1861, and held the office until the be- 
ginning of 1862, at which time he resigned 
to enter upon the active practice of his pro- 
fession. At the time of his appointment 
to the position of county judge, Judge 
Fernald was scarcely twenty-two years of age, 
but he possessed the rare advantage of a 
thorough and proper training for the dis- 
charge of the duties of the office, which few 
young men then competing here possessed. 

" At the resignation of J udcre Fernald, Gov- 
ernor Downey appointed as his successor the 
late J. M. Covarrubias, who held the office 
until the ensuing general election, when the 
late Hon. F. J. Maguire was elected; and he 
continued to hold the office by election up to 
the time of the adoption of the new constitu- 
tion. 

" From every point of view, the character, 
integrity and ability, the Bench was an able 
one, and the records of the Supreme Court 
show that the decisions of the judges of these 
courts were rarely, if ever, reversed. And 
when it is considered that during that period 
some of the most important principles of law 
of real property, the construction of the new 
constitution, the statutes relative thereto, 
and the rules of the civil law and of the civil 
law as adopted in Spain and Mexico, were 
often involved and at issue, it will be ad- 
mitted that this is high praise. 

"At the date of the organization of the 
above named courts there were here and at 
the bar from the beginning men of descent 



82 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



and training ; among them was Edward 
Sherman Hoar, a s©n of the Hon. Samuel 
Hoar of Concord, Massachusetts ; he was 
a graduate of Harvard and one of tne 
brightest intellects of all that gifted family. 
He was the confessed leader of the bar 
of Southern California. Next must be 
mentioned Augustus F. Hinchman of New 
Jersey, also a graduate of Harvard and a class- 
mate of Mr. Hoar, a man of varied learning, 
culture and acquirements. Judge Fernald 
having been thus early appointed to the 
Bench, practiced at that time only in the 
Federal courts, up to the time of his resigna- 
tion in 1862. Next came James Lancaster 
Brent, a native of Maryland and brother of 
the attorney-general of that State, an ac- 
complished orator and advocate, as well as 
a learned lawyer. Brent resided at Los An- 
geles and was associated with Jonathan R. 
Scott, a giant physically and mentally, who 
came from St. Louis, Missouri. Although 
resident at Los Angeles, they often appeared 
before the courts of Santa Barbara and San 
Luis Obispo counties. Benjamin Hayes, a 
resident of Los Angeles, and afterward judge 
of the first judicial district for many years, 
often appeared in the courts of this county 
prior to his election as judge. Myron Nor- 
ton, one of the leaders of the bar of Los 
Angeles, was often called here in important 
cases. 

" Then came L. C. Granger, who recently 
died in Chico, Butte County, a man of rec- 
ognized ability and learning. William J. 
Graves, who came from St. Louis, Missouri, 
to San Luis Obispo, became well known 
throughout the State as a man of marked 
ability at the bar, and deeply learned in the 
law; he was a worthy competitor of the able 
men before mentioned. Well worthy of 
mention conies Russell Heath, now living at 
the Carpenteria, who came to this State and 



settled in this countv about the beginning of 
1851, Mr. Heath was a native of Little 
Falls, Herkimer County, New York, being a 
lienal descendant of General Heath, of Rev- 
olutionary fame. He made the journey to 
California overland on horseback through 
Northern Mexico. From the time of his 
arrival here, early in 1851, at about twenty- 
three years of age, he took a prominent 
position at the bar. He was appointed by 
Judge Fernald, then presiding judge of the 
oourt of sessions, to the important position of 
district attorney in January, 1853. He dis- 
charged the duties of the office judiciously 
and with great intelligence. In 1856 a strong 
man was needed for sheriff of this county, 
and Judge Fernald selected Mr. Heath for 
that position, which he held until 1854, and 
his administration was strong and gave great 
satisfaction to the people. Since that time 
Mr. Heath has creditably represented this 
county in the State Legislature two terms. 

" Early in 1852, Eugene Lies appeared here 
as one amongst the most versatile at this bar. 
He was born in the city of New Orleans, of 
French parentage. Early in life he was taken 
to Paris, where he was educated and trained 
to the bar. Returning to this country, his 
parents settled in New York, and young Lie's 
was admitted to the bar in that State, whence 
he came directly to Santa Barbara County, 
and here commenced his professional career, 
achieving pronounced success. In 1859-'60, 
he was elected to the Legislature of this State, 
and at the close of the session of that year he 
took up his abode in the city of San Fran- 
cisco, attaining immediate recognition as 
among the ablest of the bar of that city. He 
was an accomplished linguist, an able lawyer, 
and a successful advocate. With him was 
associated in practice here and at San Fran- 
cisco Albert Packard, of Rhode Island. Mr. 
Packard had early come to this State and set- 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



83 



tied in Los Angeles. He was recognized as 
a man of unusually strong intellect. Then 
last, but not least, must be mentioned Charles 
E. Huse, from Newburyport, Massachusetts. 
He was a graduate of Harvard, where he took 
a course of study for the ministry, afterwards 
adopting the profession of law, becoming a 
painstaking, laborious and zealous practitioner. 
There were many others who occasionally 
appeared in our courts, such as Parker H. 
French, the late D. S. Gregory, and until his 
death recently Superior Judge of San Luis 
Obispo County; Hon. Francis J. Maguire, af- 
terwards County Judge; E. O. Crosby, who 
had beenamember of the Constitutional Con- 
vention, and Walter Murray, of San Luis Obis- 
po, a laborious, reliable and successful prac- 
titioner up to the time of his appointment to 
the bench, as before stated. 

" All of these men were lawyers of marked 
ability and learning, and compared favorably 
with the members of the bar in any part of 
the State. And, while later on in the '70s 
men like Fawcett and other able young men 
came to the bar here, we feel warranted in 
expressing the opinion that the men we have 
named were altogether exceptional in point of 
ability and learning. They had to deal with 
new questions and principles in settling the 
law in many of its branches, and well their 
work was done, as the reports of their cases 
in the Supreme Court will abundantly show." 

The machinery of government of Santa 
Barbara County went into working in August, 
1850: Joaquin Carrillo was county and pro- 
bate judge. The first case brought before 
him regarded the estate of James Scott, de- 
ceased, who had been a partner in trade of 
Captain Wilson. The will was approved, and 
N. A. Den and Pablo de la Guerra were ap- 
pointed appraisers. 

When Henry A. Tefft took his seat as 
judge of the Second Judicial District August 



5, 1850, John M. Huddars acting as Clerk, 
Eugene Lies, of New York, was admitted to 
practice, and he was sworn in as interpreter 
and translator. Jose Antonio de la Guerra y 
Carrillo having been judge of the Court of 
the First Instance, the records of that court 
were demanded from, and refused by, the 
Alcalde Joaquin de la Guerra, perhaps to 
show contempt for this new court which su- 
perseded the old authorities. 

The court ordered made a county 6eal, de- 
scribed as follows: 

" Around the margin the words, County 
Court of Santa Barbara County, with the 
following device in the center: A female fig- 
ure holding in her right hand a balance, and 
in her left a rod of justice; above the figure 
a rising sun, and below, the letters CAL. 

The first district attorney was Edward S. 
Hoar. He returned in 1857 to his old home 
at Concord, Massachusetts, it is said that 
the clerk of this court was a mighty hunter 
and fisherman, and that he was wont to carry 
about in his coat-pocket the memorandum 
book which contained the only court records 
kept for some mouths. Judge Fernald pro- 
nounces this story apocryphal, however. 

The first sheriff was Jose Antonio Rodri- 
guez; he was killed early in 1850, on the 
present site of the gas wells at Sutnmerland. 
He was leading a party of some fifty men in 
pursuit of those who murdered the Reed 
family at San Miguel, in San Luis Obispo 
County, and, disapproving of the reluctance 
of his followers to close with the murderers, 
Rodriguez dashed forward and tore from the 
saddle one burly fellow, who thereupon raised 
himself upon his knees and killed the sheriff 
with a shot-gun. One of the miscreants 
plunged into the sea and swam out beyond 
the kelp, where he was drowned; the others 
were captured, tried, and shot at Santa 
Barbara. 



84 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



The next sheriff was named Heavy. He 
was waylaid and shot on the Santa Ynes 
mountains. 

J. W. Burroughs was the first county clerk, 
auditor, coroner, and justice of the peace. 
His deputy was A. F. Hinchman, now of San 
Francisco. Nicholas A. Den was made fore- 
man of the first grand jury, but the names of 
the other jurymen were not recorded. A 
better record was kept of the next session, 
held April 7, 1851; the following persons 
were empaneled: Antonio Arellanes, John 
Kays, Rafael Gonzalez, Octaviano Gutierrez, 
Manuel Cota, Raimundo Olivera, Estevan 
Ortega, George Nidever, Augustus F. Hinch- 
man, Jose Lorenzano, Juan Rodriguez, 
Ygnacio Ortega, Antonio Maria Ortega, 
Guillermo Carrillo, Edward S. Hoar, A. F. 
Hinchman, Jose Carrillo, Lewis T. Burton, 
Augustin Janssens, Joaquin Carrillo, Vi- 
cente Hill. Eight individuals were fined 
$25 each for not answering to their names on 
this panel. The grand jury fonud indict- 
ments for murder against Guadalupe Sanchez 
and Francisco Figueroa, and offered a com- 
plaint against the jail as unfit for use. In 
the case of the People vs. Francisco Romero 
et al., the witnesses were discharged, and the 
sureties relieved, as the defendants had es- 
caped from custody, because of the jail's in- 
security. 

The roll of attorneys of Santa Barbara 
County shows the following names: 

J. L. Barker, A. T. Bates, 1. R. Baxley, 
S. "W. Bouton, J. J. Boyce, R. B. Canfield, 
J. G. Deadrick, Charles Fernald, William 
Gallaher, G. H. Gould, E. B. Hall, F. Leslie 
Kellogg, Thomas McNulta, Walter H. Nixon, 
A. A. Oglesby, Joseph J. Perkins, S. S. 
Price, A. E. Putnam, J. T. Richards, C. A. 
Storke, W. C. Stratton, J. W. Taggart, B. F. 
Thomas, C. A. Thompson, J. B. Wentling, 
H. G. Crane, W. N. Haverly, C. F. Carrier, 



J. F. Conroy, W. P. Butcher, W. C. Gam- 
mill, Grant Jackson, W. S. Day, E. R. Mc- 
Grath, Eugene W. Squier, Walter B. Cope 
and Paul R. Wright, all of Santa Barbara; 
B. F. Bayley and W. W. Broughton, of Lom- 
poc; S. E. Crow and Caleb Sherman, of Santa 
Maria. 

Many of these are not now engaged in 
active practice. 

Among those now actively engaged in the 
practice in the center of the county, promi- 
nently stands Hon. Charles Fernald, whose 
biography is given at length elsewhere. 

J. J. Boyce is a native of Utica, New 
York, where he was born April 28, 1852. 
He entered the law office of Seymour & 
Weaver, upon arriving at majority, and pur- 
sued for a time the study of law. He came 
to Santa Barbara in 1876, and resumed his 
law studies under the instruction of Judge 
Fernald. He was admitted to the practice of 
law by the Supreme Court, in 1878, and has 
since been actively engaged in the practice of 
his profession at Santa Barbara. 

R. B. Canfield graduated from Columbia, 
in 1862, and studied law in the law school 
attached to his alma mater. He came to the 
Pacific Coast in 1865, and spent three years 
in the mines in Nevada. In 1868, returning 
to New York and resuming his legal studies, 
he was admitted to the New York State bar, 
in 1869. In 1876 he came to Santa Barbara, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Canfield 
was married in 1873 to Mrs. Davidson. Mr. 
Canfield is a keen lawyer, with a judicial 
brain. He is quiet and unobtrusive in his 
habits, and does not seek notoriety. By ap- 
pointment he has for a year or more presided 
over the Superior Court of this county, and 
has won golden opinions from his constituency. 

Ephraim B. Hall is a native of Virginia, 
born in 1823. He has occupied in his native 
State many offices of great trust and respons- 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



85 



ibility. At one time he was Attorney Gen- 
eral of the State, and at another judge of the 
nisi prius courts of the county in which he 
resided. He was also a loyal member of the 
convention that passed the ordinance of se- 
cession, by which Virginia attempted t o 
sever its relations with the sister States. He 
is now decliniug the active business of the 
county. 

Thomas McNulta was born in New York 
in 1845. He possesses to a large degree the 
confidence of the community. He was ad- 
mitted to the Illinois bar about 1871, and 
for several years parcticed law with his 
brother, Hon. John McNulta, at Blooming- 
ton, Illinois. Coming to Santa Barbara in 
1874 he soon became a prominent member 
of the local bar. He has, at various times, 
held the office of city attorney and district 
attorney, and has had charge of many im- 
portant cases. He is an eloquent speaker, 
somewhat inclined to be impetuous. 

B. F. Thomas was born in Missouri, Feb- 
ruary 22, 1846. He studied law with ex- 
Congressman Tully, of San Jose, and was 
admitted to the bar January 13, 1874. His 
first labor in a legal way was at Guadalupe 
in this county. In 1875, Mr. Thomas be- 
came district attorney and filled the office 
with credit. He is a slow thinker, but of 
great industry and perseverance, by the aid 
of which he has become a prominent mem- 
ber of the local bar, and has secured a 
lucrative practice. 

Jarrett T. Richards was born in Cham- 
bersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1842. After 
spending three years in Europe in classical 
study, he returned to his native land, and 
entered Columbia College Law School, where 
he graduated in 1860, receiving a special 
prize of $150 for a thesis on municipal law. 
After graduation he went to Erie, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he alternated the practice of 



law with editorial work. In 1868 he came 
to Santa Barbara, and formed a law partner- 
ship with Hon. Charles Fernald. He has 
been mayor of Santa Barbara and city at- 
torney. In 1879 he was nominated for As- 
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court, but with 
his ticket was defeated. Mr. Richards is a 
strong and classical writer. His mind is em- 
inently judicial, and he is probably better 
fitted to act as a judge than as a pleader. 
His advice is much solicited. 

W. C. Stratton was born in New York 
December 14, 1826. He was a resident of 
New Jersey from 1849 to 1856, coming to 
California in the latter year. In 1858 he 
was elected to the Legislature by the Dem- 
ocrats of Placer County, and then became 
Speaker of the House. From 1860 to 1870, 
he was librarian of the State Library. In 
January, 1873, he came to Santa Barbara, 
and was for several years attorney for the 
city. Mr. Stratton has a lucrative practice, 
which he has obtained by thorough study of 
his cases. He is a good jury pleader, and 
coming into court with his cases thoroughly 
understood and properly prepared, he gen- 
erally is successful. 

W. S. Day was born in Smith County, 
Tennessee, on the 14th day of March, 1848; 
was educated in the common schools of Illi- 
nois. Began the study of law in 1872, at 
Jonesboro, Illinois, under Judge Monroe C. 
Crawford, and was admitted to practice before 
the Supreme Court of Illinois in June, 1874. 
He then practiced law in the city of Jones- 
boro from 1874 to 1888, holding during that 
time the positions of State's Attorney and 
member of the Legislature. He removed to 
Santa Barbara in June, 1888, and at once 
formed a partnership with Paul R. Wright, 
an old and respected attorney of the city of 
Santa Barbara, under the name of Wright & 
Day. Mr. Day is a clear, methodical thinker, 



86 



SANTA BARBARA GJUNTT. 



and has in his short residence at Santa Bar- 
bara added to his previous excellent repu- 
tation. 

S. S. Price was born in Morristown, New- 
Jersey, on the 27th day of January, 1840; 
was educated at Lombard College, at Gales- 
burg, Illinois, and was studying law at Jersey - 
ville, Illinois, at the outbreak of the war. 
He enlisted in Company F, Fourteenth Illi- 
nois Infantry in 1861, and followed the 
fortunes of that regiment until the battle of 
Shiloh, ir which he was badly wounded, 
necessitating his discharged. Having par- 
tially recovered from his wounds, he renewed 
his legal studies at the Law School of 
Michigan University, where he graduated in 
the spring of 1865. Opening a law office in 
Salem, Missouri, he practiced for three years 
and more in Dent County, and then moved 
to Falls City, Nebraska. From 1869 until 
1883 he was actively engaged in legal pur- 
suits at Falls City, and moved to Santa Bar- 
bara in 1883. His old wounds having dis- 
abled him from active practice, his work in 
Santa Barbara has been that of an adviser 
and counsellor rather than advocate. In 
1886 he was elected District Attorney. 

Walter B. Cope is a son of Hon. W. W. 
Cope, of the Supreme Court Commission. 
Walter B. Cope came to Santa Barbara a 
few years since, and at the last election but 
one he wap chosen for District Attorney. 
The election of November, 1890, has placed 
him upon the bench of the Superior Court of 
this county. 

CRIMES. 

Since the dispersion of the bands of out- 
laws gathered during the disorder of the 
transition period Santa Barbara has been, 
all things considered, reasonably free from 
crime. There have been notable cases, but 
these were of individual, rather than public, 



bearing. The most conspicuous crimes com- 
mitted hereabouts were the following: In 
January, 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Corliss 
were murdered, and their bodies consumed in 
their dwelling; the criminals were not dis- 
covered. Later in that year, Samuel Barth- 
man was robbed and murdered, and his body 
concealed in the woods between Lompoc and 
La Purisima. His murderers were discovered 
and brought to justice. In June, 1868, one 
Bonilla, a young man of twenty years, shot 
to death Mr. Domingo Abadie, a respected 
and prominent citizen, in a quarrel. Bonilla 
was sentenced to thirty-five years' imprison- 
ment. In January, 1874, William Shedd, a 
cruel and intemperate husband, stabbed his 
wife to death, and then blew his own brains 
out. Perhaps the most flagrant case was the 
murder of John C. Norton, a rancher on 
Bincon Point; Norton's wife had an intrigue 
with one Jack Cotton, a farm-hand of her 
husband, and the two killed Norton and 
buried him in the sand-hills. Then, giving 
out that he had died in Los Angeles, they 
disposed of his property and left the country 
together. The crime was discovered, and the 
guilty pair captured in Nevada, and returned 
to Sauta Barbara for trial, being sentenced 
to imprisonment for life. 

There have been a few murders of minor 
notoriety, the perpetrators in some cases re- 
maining undiscovered. There was, too, early 
in the '80's, a good deal of excitement over 
the stage robberies committed in the western 
portion of the county by Dick Fellows. He 
was a man of education, who from confine- 
ment wrote very good articles for publica- 
tion. His characteristics and the desperate 
efforts he made for liberty aroused much 
sympathy for him, notwithstanding which 
he was sent to prison. 

The crime, the case par excellence of 
Santa Barbara, was 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



87 



THE GRAY- GLANCEY MURDER. 

This was one of those criminal cases which 
become causes celebres throughout the State. 
Theodore M. Glancey, a native of Illinois, 
came to California in 1873, and was for a 
time editor and general manager of the Los 
Angeles Herald. Resigning this position, 
he had removed to Placer County, and here 
and in Sutter County he was engaged in the 
journalistic profession. After a few years 
he was tendered the editorship of the Press 
at Santa Barbara, and, accepting, he removed 
here, conducting; the Press with the same 
devotion to truth and duty that had marked 
his career hitherto. He was a veteran of 
the civil war, a man of nerve, and true to 
his convictions. He was, further, a man of 
libera] education, with legal training, and 
just views of matters in general. He was 
polite and urbane in manner, notwithstanding 
the positive character of his mentality. 

Clarence Gray came to this county in 1870, 
and was immediately recognized as its natural 
leader by the lawless element composed of 
the roughs, the gamblers and disorderly 
parties in general. While there were not 
more than 200 of these characters, they were 
formidable, holding in many instances the 
balance of power. Gray had a bad record, so 
far as it was known. It was asserted that 
his real name was Patrick McGinnis, and it 
was understood that he ijad been closely con- 
nected with the Molly Maguire assassins 
in Pennsylvania, which State he had been 
obliged to leave. He was reckless, unscrupu- 
lous, audacious, brilliant, enterprising, witty 
and ohtrusive, being ready always to thrust 
himself into notice. Ostensibly a lawyer, his 
knowledge of the law consisted mainly of an 
understanding of its defects and weaknesses, 
whereby he became the natural defender of 
violators of the law. Like all men of that 
class, he relied upon personal prowess for 



security in his personal rights, and he had 
committed personal assaults on many occa- 
sions. It is said that he had been arrested 
more than twenty times for breaking the 
peace. While nominally a Catholic, he beat 
a Catholic priest to insensibility for a reproof 
justly administered, and was fined therefor. 
When a fire occurred in the Press office, he 
was so strongly suspected of having caused 
it that he left the State for a year or two, 
but returned and resumed his former career. 
On one occasion the Republican party nom- 
inated him for District Attorney, and, in con- 
sequence of his bad repute, a public meeting 
was held to consider the means of defeating 
his election, which, it was deemed, would 
endanger the safety of the community. 
Nevertheless, so strong was the lawless party 
that he came within seven votes of election. 
When the new constitution was adopted in 
1880, the country was in doubt whether the 
officials elected the previous year should com- 
plete the usual terms, or whether a new set 
would be elected. Pending the decision the 
Republicans held a convention and nominated 
candidates for the supposed vacancies, among 
them Clarence Gray for District Attorney. 
When the Supreme Court decided that no 
election was necessary that season, the Press, 
of which Mr. Glancey was editor, comment- 
ing upon the reasons for satisfaction therefor, 
said: "Not the least of these in this county 
is the fact that the Republicans here will be 
relieved of the necessity of defeating the can- 
didate for District Attorney. The nomina- 
tion was disgraceful in every respect, and 
while it is extremely disagreeable for earnest 
Republicans to take such a course in a presi- 
dential year, there is no difference of opinion 
among those who have the good of the party 
at heart. They are convinced that all such 
candidates should be beaten, and Republican 
conventions taught, if they do not realize it 



88 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



already, that the decent people of Santa Bar- 
bara County will not submit to having the 
officer for the administration of justice 
chosen from among the hoodlums and law- 
breakers." While this language was moder- 
ate, compared to what had been printed many 
times before, Gray's friends urged that it was 
a gratuitous insult, as no election was to take 
place, and Gray set about finding the party 
responsible for the article. Meeting John P. 
Stearns in Judge Hatch's office, he inquired 
if Stearns was responsible, and was met with 
a prompt " I am, sir! " Nevertheless, some- 
thing, possibly the number present, in- 
duced him to defer shooting until a more 
convenient season. Later, he met Stearns at 
home, but again postponed his proposed pun- 
ishment. On the evening following the issue 
of the article, Gray met Glancey, and in- 
quired if he was responsible for the article 
in question. Glancey replied in the affirma- 
tive, whereupon Gray drew a revolver and 
attempted to shoot, when Glancey caught his 
wrists, saying, " You shall not draw a revolver 
on me; I am unarmed." A bystander sepa- 
rated them, but Gray again leveled his revolver 
and tired at Glancey whilst retreating through 
the door of the Occidental Hotel; the ball 
took fatal effect, striking Glancey in the 
wrist, and thence passing into the abdomen, 
and out near the hip. Glancey 's vitality en- 
abled him to walk to a holel in the same 
block, where he fell. Gray meanwhile fol- 
lowed him, endeavoring to obtain another shot. 
Glancey was attended by three physicians, 
but was past help, and died the next day. 

While the lawless element justil : ed Gray's 
deed, the better portion of the community 
emphatically denounced it. The press of the 
State, too, condemned the dastardly act un- 
equivocally, as did the pulpit unitedly. 

Yet hardly were the funeral ceremonies 
over before Gray's friends were planning an 



active defense, $4,000 were raised to employ 
counsel, and all the technicalities of the law 
were invoked to delay or thwart justice. 
Although he had uttered numerous threats 
that Stearns or Glancey must die before night, 
Gray pleaded self-defense and sought to prove 
by witnesses that Glancey made the first 
attack. The jury failed to agree, and the case 
was transferred to San Mateo County, where 
Gray was found guilty and sentenced to 
twenty years' imprisonment. Eminent legal 
talent was employed in this trial. One most 
censurable feature of the case was that Gray 
was permitted many privileges seldom granted 
to persons on trial for high crimes, in that he 
was allowed, during his term of incarceration, 
to visit processions, shows, etc., and to visit 
and dine at the houses of his friends. His 
partisans made application for a new trial, 
which was granted on such singular grounds 
as to become historical. This feature is ex- 
plained in the appended statement of Justice 
Thornton: 

" The trial commenced on the first of 
June, 1881, and terminated on the morn- 
ing of the 12th of the same month, about 9 
o'clock, when the jury rendered the verdict, 
and were discharged. As soon as the jury 
was complete, they were, by the order of the 
court, placed in charge of the sheriff, and 
instructed as to their duties. They remained 
in charge of the sheriff, not being allowed to 
separate until they were discharged on the 
morning of the 12th. After the jury was 
complete, and before the cause was submitted 
to them, on the afternoon of the 11th of 
June, about 5 o'clock, a period of about eight 
days, four five-gallon kegs of beer were 
brought into the room attheTremont House, 
where the jury was kept by the sheriff, of 
which about seventeen and a half gallons (of 
the beer) were drank by them; that during 
the sume period a two-gallon demijohn of 



THE SANTA BARBARA REGION. 



89 



wine was brought in and drank by them; that 
during the same period some of the jurors 
drank claret wine, amounting to three bottles, 
at their meals; while some of them drank 
whiskey at their meals; that all this drinking 
was done before the case was submitted to 
them on the afternoon of the 11th of June; 
that on the 11th of June, during the noon 
recess, two of the jurors procured each a flask 
of whiskey; that one of the jurors (Price, the 
foreman) drank nothing; that all the drink- 
ing by the jurors was without the permission 
of the court, or the consent of the defendant, 
or of the counsel engaged in the cause, and, 
in fact, without the knowledge of either of 
them ; that all the beer, wine, and whiskey 
drank were procured by such of the jurors as 
desired it of their own notion and at their 
own expense; that the verdict was agreed on 
about 8:30 o'clock on the morning of the 
12th. Further, the eAddence affords strong 
reason to suspect that one of the jurors drank 
so much while deliberating on the verdict as 
to unfit him for the proper discharge of his 
duty. * * * For the reason above 
indicated, the judgment and order are re- 
versed, and the cause remanded for a new 
trial." 

This conclusion was concurred in by Jus- 
tices Myrick, McKinstry, Ross and Sharp- 
stein. The third trial of Gray occurred in 
the same county, in December, 1882, and it 
resulted in his acquittal. 

The summer of 1890 has been stigmatized 
by two very flagrant murders — that of 
"Billy" Kays by Eduardo Espinosa, in a 
street brawl, and the unprovoked slaying of 
Mary Dezirello, an innocent and worthy girl, 
brutally shot by a worthless fellow named 
Ramon Lopez, in revenge for her refusal to 
accept his addresses. The wanton and das- 
tardly character of this crime so aroused the 
citizens that Lopez was taken to Los Angeles 



to avert a lynching. These two murderers 
are now on trial. 

THE PKESS. 

The first newspaper in this county was 
the Santa Barbara Gazette issued weekly 
by Wm. B. Keep and R. B. Hubbard, prac- 
tical printers. Its first publication was on 
May 24, 1855. During the first six months 
one page was printed in Spanish for the ben- 
efit of citizens of Spanish descent. Old resi- 
dents declare that it was edited as ably as 
any provincial paper in the State, and that it 
did great credit to the intelligence and the 
enterprise of its publishers. Its circulation 
was limited, as was the population, and it 
maintained only while it had the publication 
of legal notices. A law was passed by the 
Legislature which substituted for advertising 
the posting of public notices, in writing, in 
three public places, thus rendering unneces- 
sary publication of such notices. Therefore 
the proprietors of the Gazette sold out to 
Torres & Fossas, who printed in Spanish one 
side of the sheet, Democratic in politics, and 
in English the other, of Whig proclivities, 
thus aiming to suit all tastes and all parties. 
After one year the publishers removed with 
their plant to San Francisco; but they con- 
tinued to issue the Santa Barbara Gazette, 
as well as the San Luis Obispo Gazette 
and the Monterey Gazette, all alike, except 
in the headings. These papers were sent for 
distribution by every mail, which arrived by 
steamer, and only twice a month. The mail 
was carried from Santa Barbara to San Luis 
Obispo on horseback, as no stage roads then 
existed, and vehicles could not go up the 
coast. Thus the news was usually somewhat 
stale before reaching the subscribers. The 
Gazette continued, printed in San Francisco 
and brought here for distribution for about 
a year, when it ceased publication. 

The next newspaper was the Santa Barbara 



90 



SANTA BABBARA COUNTY. 



Post, first issued in May, 1868, printed and 
published by E. B. Bonst. After about a 
year, one-half of this paper was sold to Joseph 
A. Johnson, who became one of its editors. 
He afterwards purchased the other half, and 
changed the name to the Santa Barbara Press, 
July 1, 1869. It is said that the efforts of 
Mr. Johnson did more to build up this 
county and draw population to it than the 
labors of all the other men combined; and 
that he added millions to the value of property 
in this county. The Daily Press was first 
issued July 1, 1871. The Press passed into 
the hands of H. G. Otis, and soon declined 
sadly. After many vicissitudes this paper 
has finally been established on a satisfactory 
basis, and it is now issued as both daily and 
weekly, by the Press Publishing Company, 
Walter H. Nixon managing editor. This is 
the third oldest newspaper in Southern Cali- 
fornia. It is not a party organ, but is Re- 
publican in politics. 

The Santa Barbara Times was established 
in the interest of settlers, its first number 
being issued January 30, 1870. After various 
changes, it was absorbed by the Press in 1874. 

The Santa Barbara Index, established by 
Wood & Seftou, was first issued August 31, 
1872. It was subsequently sold to William 
F. Russell. 

The Santa Barbara News, established by 
Al. Pettigrove and Miss Nettie La Grange, 
was issued as a daily, May 3, 1875. Mr. 
Petty grove subsequently became the sole 
owner, and continued the publication until 
it was merged in the Press, May 15, 1876. 

A small sheet styled the Santa Barbara 
Tribune was issued weekly for over two years, 
by a lad of twelve years, named Walcott. Its 
publication was suspended at last, owing to 
the ill-health of its youthful conductor, whose 
enterprise and ability attracted considerable 
attention, 



In Jannary, 1878, Fred. A. Moore started 
the Democrat, a weekly, which discontinued 
issue after some six months, when Mr. Moore 
started the Independent, as a weekly, with 
Warren Chase as editor. In 1879 Mr. Moore 
bought out and consolidated with his paper 
the daily and weekly Advertiser. He sold 
the Independent to G. P. Tebbitts, who still 
continues its publication. The Independent 
was first issued as a daily in 1884. In poli- 
tics it is nominally independent, albeit with 
Democratic proclivities; 

The Weekly Herald was established in 
April, 1885, by Messrs. Felix Lane and S. W. 
Candy. In 1886, Mr. Lane became the sole 
proprietor of this paper, which he conducts 
at present. The Herald is the only avowed 
organ of the Democratic party in this county. 

Outside of Santa Barbara, there are issued 
in the county the following journals, all 
weeklies: The Reconstructor, at Summer- 
land; Argus, Santa Ynes; Progress, Los 
Alamos; Times, and also Graphic, Santa 
Maria; Record, and also People's Journal, 
Lompoc. 

THE EASTERN PORTION OF SANTA 
BARBARA. 

The Ortega hill is a lateral spur from the 
mountains, perhaps 600 feet high, projecting 
into the sea so boldly as to make difficult the 
building of a road around it. The beach below 
the hill is passable at low water, but at high 
tide the surf dashes against the rocks, cutting 
off the passage. This was a point of dre id 
to the earlier boards of supervisors, for they 
were continually called upon to repair the road, 
this then being the only avenue of commu- 
nication with what is now Ventura County. 
The road was built along the edge of the 
bluff, and every rain would so damage it by 
landslides, etc., as to necessitate costly re- 
pairs. Many thousands of dollars were ex- 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



91 



pended before the completion of the fine 
grade around and over the hill. This was 
also a serious stumbling-block to the railway 
companies. 

MONTEOITO. 

To the eastward of Santa Barbara lies a 
tract of land extending easterly to the Ven- 
tura County line, a distance of some fifteen 
miles, with a breadth of seven or eight 
miles, from the channel on the south of the 
summit of the Santa Barbara Range on the 
north. The face of this section is diversified 
by hills, plains and valleys, and it compre- 
hends some of the most valuable agricultural 
lands in California. 

Beginning some four miles east of Santa 
Barbara is the district of Montecito, one of 
the most favored sections imaginable. All 
that productive soil, benignant climate, pure 
water and the most striking - scenerv to be 
produced by the juxtaposition of sea, and 
vale, and mountain — all that such elements 
can contribute to the charm of a section has 
been bestowed upon Montecito. 

This valley of the "Little Wood " is not 
large; its length, parallel with the coast, is 
about seven miles; and its width, between 
shore and mountain, three- quarters of a mile 
to two miles wide. Northward are the Santa 
Ynes mountains, of panoramic beauty; east- 
ward the hills between this and the Carpen- 
teria Valley, and westward the hills running 
down to the shore between the Montecito 
and Santa Barbara. Southward, beyond the 
sweep of water, the Channel Islands lie, 
with glimpses of the open sea glinting be- 
tween them. 

This, as has often been said, is a valley of 
homes, nestling among the groups of live- 
oaks that give its name to the district. 

The first American settler in this valley 
was Newton M. Coats, who arrived in 1858. 
A full flood of tillers of the soil and men of 



leisure have followed after. Messrs. Dins- 
more, Hayne, S Bond and Robert W. Smith, 
who became residents here in 1867-'68, are 
among the oldest and most prominent 
settlers. This has come to be one of the 
show spots of Southern California. The bulk 
of the improvements have been made by 
men of leisure and means, who have brought 
their families hither to form attractive homes 
amidst the rare charms afforded here by the 
attractions of balmy climate, fertile soil and 
picturesque and romantic scenery and sur- 
roundings. In the eastern part of this sec- 
tion is the San Ysidro Rancho, belonging to 
Johnston & Goodrich, from which an annual 
yield of about 300,000 oranges and 100,000 
lemons finds a ready market. Down the 
valley, towards the ocean, is the old Coats 
Rancho, fertile and heavily timbered, now 
the property of Messrs. Sperry and Crocker, 
who are making upon it extensive improve- 
ments, planting orchards, etc. The " Hunter 
Place " contains one of the finest general 
orchards in the section. At '• Inglenook," a 
pretty red cottage shows through the 
branches of a fine olive grove, in profitable 
bearing. Along the Hot Springs avenue is 
a succession of tasteful dwellings with care- 
fully-tended grounds. Among these are: — 
the Gould mansion, with its hedged grounds, 
its leafy oaks and rippling streams; the Hall 
cottage, with clustering vines and its smooth 
lawns, commanding a broad outlook down 
the coast; the Magee homestead, where 
stands Montecito's famous grape-vine; the 
high, many-gabled Anderson villa, and above 
it a residence of true Southern aspect, as 
well it may be, since here lives Colonel 
Ilayne, of the celebrated Southern family of 
that name; across from Colonel Hay tie's is 
the fine collection of palms and other hand- 
some plants of the Sawyer — formerly the 
Bond — place, where thrive in great luxuri- 



92 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



ance many rare shrubs and trees. West of 
the avenue, on a broad ridge which divides 
the valley into two parts, of ten distinguished 
as " Upper " and " Lower " Montecito, stands 
prominently in an orange grove the comfort- 
able home at "Riven Rock," the Stafford 
place. On a knoll toward the sea is the 
dwelling of N. K. "Wade, commanding a 
superb view on all sides. In the '• Upper " 
Montecito, west of Mr. Stafford's place, are 
the dwellings of Messrs. Stoddard and 
Stevens, and above them, toward the moun- 
tains, the picturesque home of Mr. Eaton, 
full of artistic treasures collected at home 
and abroad. 

The situation and climate of this valley 
in many respects resemble those of the cele- 
brated Riviera of Italy, except that the 
mistral, the chilly afternoon wind, does not 
blow here. Frost is a very rare visitor in 
this valley, and tender exotics thrive well 
here. There are many tine collections of choice 
plants in this valley, embracing vines, shrubs 
and trees of the Eastern States, as well as 
rarer specimens from the old world, South 
America, and the Pacific Islands. The 
banana here ripens fully, the oranges raised 
here are particularly juicy and delicate of 
flavor, while figs, nectarines, lemons and 
apricots are exceptionally fine. Strawberry 
plants bear abundantly throughout the year, 
and have been known to bear fruit in thirty 
days from planting. The odors of fragrant 
flowers develop exceptionally, and the manu- 
facture of perfumery is a potential future in- 
dustry. Twenty or more varieties of palm 
are grown here, including the " Toddy 
Palm," the Coquito, various dracoenas, the 
" Umbrella Palm," " Thatch Palm," "Royal 
Palm," wild date and others. Pomegranates, 
yuccas, guavas, alligator pears, chirimoyas, 
etc., all grow here as if in their native hab- 
itat. This valley has, even in the dry sea- 



son of summer, a notably fresh and green 
appearance, due to the large number of non- 
deciduous trees and shrubs. Although irri- 
gation is seldom used here, except for citrus 
fruits, yet the water supply is ample. A 
local company brings down water in pipes 
from the Hot Springs stream, and the sub- 
terranean flow is large, wholesome and easily 
obtained by sinking wells. 

The famous " Big Grape-vine" of Monte- 
cito grew on the domain of Dona Maria 
Marcelina Feliz de Dominguez, who died in 
1865 at the advanced age of 107 years. 
Dona Maria Marcelina disclaimed all knowl- 
edge of those romantic but apocryphal 
stories which assign as the origin of this 
monster plant a shoot given by a lover to his 
sweetheart for a riding switch, and planted 
by the girl. The great vine was nearly four 
feet six inches in circumference, and 6ix feet 
to the lowest branches. It spread over an 
area of about an acre, and bore several tons 
of grapes yearly — it is said sometimes as 
much as six tons. It was about sixty years 
old. From the deprivation of its accustomed 
share of water it died, and in 1876 it was 
taken up and conveyed to the Centennial Ex- 
hibition at Philadelphia, where it was left 
on show as one of the products of California. 
On the same estate as the former " big vine," 
is another, somewhat inferior in size, but 
still of very large growth, which attracts 
many visitors. It is said to have been a 
cutting of the former vine. 

Lying as it does contiguous to the sea, 
Montecito possesses the attractions lent by 
bathing, boating and fishing; on the other 
hand, the close vicinity of the mountains 
give delightful excursions along winding 
canon roads and up picturesque trails. The 
San Ysidro, the Cold Spring and the Hot 
Springs, all are canons of many attractions. 

This section has a station, Montecito, on 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



93 



the railway, four miles south of Santa Bar- 
bara. 

THE HOT SPRINGS. 

The Montecito Hot Springs are about six 
miles from Santa Barbara, beyond Montecito, 
up quite a steep ascent of the mountains, at 
about 1,450 feet above the sea. 

It is said that while California still ap- 
pertained to Mexico, and this, as a province, 
to the crown of Spain, a commission sent out 
by the government to examine and report 
upon all the mineral waters then known to 
exist in Mexico and the Californias, reported 
most favorably upon the properties of the 
Montecito springs for the curing of cutane- 
ous diseases. As to their later discovery, the 
story goes that in 1855, Mr. "Wilbur Curtis 
was wandering in search of some spot which 
should restore his health, broken in the rough 
life of the mines, when he chanced \ipon a 
party of Indians encamped at the mouth of 
this canon. Telling them of his condition, 
they took him to these springs, and one 
veteran of over 100 years old told how he 
had bathed here and drunk since childhood 
from the waters, to whose virtues he ascribed 
his longevity. Mr. Curtis drank, bathed, and 
was healed; and with the genuine American 
practicality, he took up a claim, foreseeing 
that this property would be of great value in 
the future. From a blanket camp, through 
the progressive stages of a tent, a hut, a 
cottage, the evolution has progressed to the 
present conditions, provisions and building 
materials being carried for years over a rough 
trail, which has now been widened into a 
good stage road. Gushing from crevices in 
the solid rock, on the premises are some 
thirty mineral springs. Some of these are 
sulphurous, others saline and chalybeate/rang- 
ing in temperature from 99° to 120° Fahren- 
heit. Seven of the principal springs are used 
for drinking and bathing purposes. 



These waters are of great value in the 
treatment of rheumatism, gout, joint affec- 
tions, B right's disease, liver trouble and blad- 
der irritation; beinc antacid, considerable 
benefit may be derived from the waters in 
dyspepsia, and acid conditions of the blood 
and urine. Perhaps the greatest benefit 
accrues from bathing in the sulphurous and 
saline waters, especially in syphilitic and 
scrofulous contaminations, grandular enlarge- 
ments, and chronic skin diseases. The waters 
much resemble the famous Hot Springs of 
Arkansas. Of late, the arsenical spring has 
been developed, with excellent results. 

There is now at this resort a good hotel, 
well managed, with the modern comforts and 
conveniences, and particular attention is paid 
to the opening up of trails, etc., to the end 
of affording diversion and exercise for the 
guests and patients. 

Dr. Brinkerhoff wrote, regard ingr these 
springs: " I do not regard the use of these 
waters by any means as a panacea for * all 
the ills which flesh is heir to,' but for the 
cure of certain diseases they are unmistakably 
efficacious. I have known some cases which 
seemed to defy all powers of medication, 
cured in a surprisingly short space of time 
by the waters of these springs, advisedly used 
as a beverage and for bathing purposes. The 
indiscriminate use of them may be dis- 
advantageous, and even positively injurious, 
and before resorting to them patients should 
always consult some experienced physician as 
to their proper use." 

Some two miles beyond El Montecito is 

SUMMERLAND. 

Summerland is situated six miles from 
Santa Barbara, on a portion of the old Ortega 
liancho. It lies between the sea and the 
Santa Ynes mountains. Some 1,050 acres of 
this rancho became the property of H. L. 



94 



SANTA £ ABB ABA COUNTY. 



Williams, who, after the subsidence of the 
boom of 1886-'88, laid out 160 acres in town 
lots, and, by means of judicious advertising, 
collected here a colony of citizens of Spirit- 
ualistic belief, who have organized quite a 
thriving community. Most of the 160 acres 
has been sold, mainly to mechanics, carpen- 
ters, etc., who have found ample employment 
in the little hamlet, as building has been 
lively. Some sixty houses have been built, 
and the population is now about 300; at the 
recent election some forty-one votes were cast. 
There are now three stores of general mer- 
chandise, shoes and groceries, one blacksmith, 
one restaurant and bakery, one public school 
with some thirty pupils, a public library, a 
postofiice with two daily mails, express office 
and railway ticket office. The water supply 
here is lifted by a hydraulic ram to a reser- 
voir on a hill, giving some 200 feet pressure ; 
the water being piped free to every house in 
the colony. 

A very strong impulse has been given to 
the interest felt in Summerland through the 
discovery here in June, 1890, of natural gas, 
in wells tapped near the beach and just above 
the railway. There are now some nine wells 
burning, the gas from which is used in Sum 
merland for domestic purposes, illuminating, 
fuel, etc. ; and the Summerland Gas Company, 
recently organized, expects to bring the gas 
into Santa Barbara within two months. 

Summerland has also fine industrial re- 
sources in the sbape of the presence on the 
tract of large beds of superfine brick clay, 
sewer-pipe clay, limestone, gypsum, and sand- 
stone. 

These elements, taken in conjunction with 
the possibilities for manufacturing afforded 
by the natural gas product, offer for Summer- 
land a bright commercial future. 

Farther down the coast from Summerland 
lies the fruitful district of 



CARPENTEKIA. 

The central and more thickly settled por- 
tion of Carpenteria Valley is twelve miles 
east of Santa Barbara. This valley was a part 
of the pueblo lands of Santa Barbara, appor- 
tioned out by the prefect to the people, who 
used these lands as temporales, or fields for 
the cultivation of summer crops. No titles 
to the soil were given until after the coming 
of the Americans. 

From the point dividing the Montecito and 
Carpenteria, the beach curves gently to the 
bold, rocky point at Rincon, giving to the 
whole valley a southern exposure, it being 
practically enclosed, moreover, from point to 
point, by a deep semicircle of mountains, up 
which open picturesque canons. Sea and 
mountains bound a sheltered corner contain- 
ing about ten square miles of deep and fertile 
soil, mostly alluvial. 

There are also mesa or upland and adobe 
soils, though in small quantities. The adobe 
soil is found in inconsiderable tracts, being in 
patches all through the bottom lands. It is 
difficult to work, but, when properly treated, 
very strong and productive. 

Thus this valley does not border a stream, 
but fronts the ocean, extending for eight or 
nine miles along the beach, giving an area of 
8,000 to 10,000 acres. These peculiarities 
of situation give the climate here character- 
istics quite different from other sections. 

The annual rainfall is about the same as at 
Santa Barbara. The usual winter tempera- 
ture is about 600, and the summer tempera- 
ture about 650. The climate is agreeable and 
healthful. There is some fog in summer, 
but it originates from the sea, and is of that 
character called " high fog." It is not insa- 
lubrious, and it is considered beneficial to 
vegetation. 

The name of the valley, Carpenteria (Span- 
ish for carpenter-shop), is derived from the 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, 



existence, in early days, on the bank of one 
of the streams here, of a workshop of that 
nature. 

In the early history of this valley it was 
deemed an unsuitable locality for horticult- 
ural pursuits, as the existing streams could 
not be made available for irrigating purposes. 
Experience showed that the soil, deep and 
loamy, by proper cultivation could be made 
to retain so much moisture as to render arti- 
ficial irrigation un necessary. 

More recently it has been discovered that 
the water supply is enriched by the existence 
of artesian water. A weak flow was obtained 
at seventy feet deep, and an abundant flow at 
ninety feet. A number of these wells have 
been sunk, and the new town of Carpenteria 
is in this manner supplied with pure and 
cheap water. To the colony grounds on the 
foot-hill slope between Carpenteria and Fen- 
Ion, a supply of mountain water will be piped. 

Carpenteria is divided for the most part 
into small farms; and so wonderfully rich is 
the soil that a few acres will support a fam- 
ily. The low foot-hills at the base of the 
mountains are sometimes cultivated to their 
very summits. All the best of the canons, 
being mostly Government land, have been 
taken up. The chief product of these canon 
farms is honey, the bees thriving on the wild 
flower-food of these sections. On mesas and 
rolling lands are produced great crops of hay, 
and wheat and barley produce heavily. 

The Lima bean is one of the staple and most 
profitable products. This crop alone has 
averaged for some years past 800 tons an- 
nually, this being worth $60 per ton, de- 
livered at the wharf, has brought in a revenue 
of $48,000 per annum. 

Almonds and walnuts are extensively raised 
also, the walnut grove of Mr. Rv.ssell Heath, 
comprising nearly 180 acres, being the largest 
in California, and producing as high as 3,000 



bushels in a season. The same gentleman is 
a large grower of red peppers, which yield as 
high as $1,000 in a year. Among the other 
crops are common and castor beans, corn, 
potatoes, squashes, flax and barley. 

As in most parts of Santa Barbara County, 
there is produced here a great variety of 
fruits, as apples, apricots, blackberries, figs, 
nectarines, olives, pears, peaches, peanuts, 
plums, strawberries and walnuts. 

The products of this section are shipped 
partly by rail, and partly over the Carpente- 
ria wharf, the property of the Smith Brothers, 
built in 18 — , since which time it has expe- 
rienced many mishaps, having been rebuilt 
after at least one severe storm. The wharf 
proper is 800 feet long, reaching water deep 
enough for any vessels navigating on this 
coast. Large and commodious warehouses, 
with a railway connection to the sea end, ren- 
der shipping over it safe and easy. Until the 
advent of the railway, great quantities of 
lumber were imported, mostly for building 
and fencing. 

A postoffice was established at Carpenteria 
in 1868, or about ten years after the original 
settlement here by Americans. The First 
Baptist Church was dedicated June 1, 1873. 
The town of Carpenteria is well laid out, the 
lots for residence purposes being of 50 feet 
frontage by 140 deep, and business lots 
30x140 deep. The railway traverses the 
settlement. The town itself is somewhat 
scattered, the buildings being rather widely 
interspersed among the fruitful orchards. 
Contiguous to the railway station there is a 
tract of twenty acres, subdivided into town 
lots, and one block from the line is an elegant 
hotel, combining the Eastlake and Queen 
Anne styles, which cost $10,000. There are 
in the valley congregations of the Baptist, 
Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and a 
branch of the Holiness Band, lodges of Knights 



90 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



of Pythias, and Good Templars. There is a 
capacious hall for public meetings or general 
atsemblages, and there are three school- 
houses, two general merchandise stores, two 
saloons, a butcher shop, two blacksmith shops, 
etc., besides two railway stations. Several new 
small towns have been projected in this valley. 

LA PATEKA. 

This term is the general designation of the 
district lying to the west of Santa Barbara, 
and comprising all that portion of the valley 
between the city and the Rancho Canada del 
Corral. Westward from Santa Barbara, the 
first grant is the Calera, or Las Positas, of 
3,281 acres, made to Narciso Fabregat in 
1843, and confirmed to Thomas M. Robbins 
and Manuela de Tines. Westward -of this 
lies the Rancho Goleta, of 4,440 acres, and 
beyond that the great Dos Pueblos grant of 
15,535 acres, while still farther westward is 
the Rancho Cailada del Corral. 

Since the influx of Americans these grants 
have been broken into smaller tracts, farmed 
in a progressive manner, and there is not in 
California a more productive region than the 
Patera. This name, by the way, means " the 
place of ducks," and was applied from the 
number of that species found upon the esteros 
or lagoons of this section. The greate"r por- 
tion of this region is mesa, that is to say, 
bench or table-land, of the greatest produc- 
tiveness. These mesas begin at the western 
extremity of La Patera in a series of low plains 
or plateaus, some fifty or sixty feet above sea 
level, and rise to a height of 600 to 800 feet 
as they approach Santa Barbara. To the west- 
ward, a line of low hills starts from the Santa 
Ynez mountains, and trends toward the coast, 
west and southwest, completing the inclosure 
of the valley. 

GOLETA. 

Goleta (a schooner) was the name given to 
a rancho of 4,440 acres, granted to Daniel 



Hill in 1846, by Governor Pio Pico. The 
soil of large portions of this and other 
ranchos is of the richest adobe, carrying an 
uncommon amount of subsoil moisture, 
probably from the existence of a subsoil 
pervious to water which allows the upward 
passage of the moisture from lower depths, 
whence it is constantly drawn by capillary 
attraction. This peculiarity insures this sec- 
tion against the failure of crops in dry 
years. 

The little town or village of Goleta was 
laid off in 1875. As recently as 1877 it 
contained only a church, a school-house, post- 
office, store, iumber-yard and blacksmith 
shop. At the last general election 116 votes 
were cast at Goleta, which is the polling 
place for the precinct, whose whole popula- 
tion probably is about 750. There are now 
two churches, Methodist and Baptist, and a 
number of shops, business places and dwell- 
ings. The school now requires two teachers, 
has a fine reputation, and about eighty pu- 
pils in daily attendance. The community is 
strongly temperance in principles, and for 
many years tolerated no saloon. There is 
one now running, but nearly a mile distant 
from the village. Goleta is seven and three- 
fourths miles west of the Santa Barbara 
postoffice. The town site consists of 250 
acres, situated in the southwestern part of 
the old grant. The shipping is chiefly done 
over the Goleta wharf, about one mile south 
of the village, a commodious structure, fully 
equal to the requirements. This valley orig- 
inally contained dense forests of live-oak, of 
which a good many still dot the region, as 
also do sycamores. There still remain large 
supplies of wood in the little canons and 
alongthe foot-hills. The varied Goleta soil 
presents a corresponding degree of eclectic- 
ism in its products. The main valley soil, 
with its peculiarity of moisture already 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



97 



noted, its remarkable depth and richness, 
produces, without irrigation, a surprising 
variety of farm and orchard products. Ap- 
ples, peaches, pears, prunes, lemons, tigs, 
loquats and English walnuts rarely fail to 
yield abundant crops. 

Almost every variety of garden vegetables 
grows luxuriantly. This district is especially 
famous for its enormous squashes, which are 
continually awarded the premiums at the 
county fairs. One prize squash weighed 
over 270 pounds. Another was so large 
that, when it was bisected, the eighteen-year- 
old daughter of the farmer who grew the 
mammcth was placed in the cavity, and the 
halves were closed about her! This incident 
having given rise to a fable to the effect that 
eighteen-year-old maidens are sometimes 
found in Goleta squashes, it is said that a 
lively demand grew up among bachelor 
farmers for seeds of this remarkable" and de- 
sirable variety of "garden truck!" The best 
lands hereabouts will produce ten or fifteen 
tons of squashes to the acre, twenty or thirty 
tons of beets, or one ton of beans. Until 
quite of late, farmers considered beans the 
most profitable of the crops, but now they 
find that other products yield better returns. 
A few have tried pampas grass culture with 
very satisfactory results, one crop amounting 
to 250,000 plumes, selling at $40 per 1,000, 
which realizes as high as $1,600 per acre. 
Dairying, too, appears to pay better than or- 
dinary fanning. But the most promising 
industry seems to be the culture of the En- 
glish walnut, of which the natural home 
6eem8 to be this valley. One six-year-old 
orchard brought its owner $30 per acre, 
while from orchards of fifteen to seventeen 
years old as much as $200 per acre is real- 
ized. 

At one time several years' experiments 
proved that tobacco could readily be pro- 



duced in the Goleta region, one farm yield- 
ing 60,000 pounds per annum, or 5,000 
pounds to the acre. The San Jose vineyard 
is one of Goleta's notable places, containing 
2,400 vines planted by the Mission Fathers 
nearly a century ago, and at least an equal 
number planted by Mr. James McCaffrey, 
the present owner, of late years. This vine- 
yard has produced an average product of 
8,000 gallons of excellent wine yearly. The 
Santa Barbara nursery, owned by Mr. Joseph 
Sexton, is perhaps the chief show-place of 
Goleta, from the character of its stock, 
which includes forty acres of useful and 
ornamental trees, hundreds of rose-bushes, 
some 200 species of pinks and carnations, 
and many beautiful floricultural specialties. 
The San Antonio Dairy Farm also is a con- 
spicuous feature of Goleta, and a source of 
good revenue. 

Goleta is on the former site of an Indian 
village, the residence of the aboriginal 
princess Ciacut. The antiquarian has found 
here grounds for delightful revels, and about 
ten tons of Indian relics found in this local- 
ity have been shipped to the Smithsonian at 
Washington. 

In the cliff rocks adjoining the wharf is 
found asphaltuin in vast quantities, and of 
the pnrest quality. The deposit is in fissures 
and pockets. During the past twenty years 
probably 30,000 tons of asphaltuin from this 
place have been shipped, going mainly to 
San Francisco, and bringing from $12 to $20 
per ton. 

The Dos Pueblos Kancho was granted to 
Nicholas A. Den, but he dying the property 
passed to his widow, who was a daughter of 
Daniel Hill, and to her family. Through 
recent subdivisions this rancho is now in the 
ownership of the Den heirs, the estate of 
John Edwards, G. C. Welch, S. Rutherford, 
L. G. Dreyfus, the Tecolote Land and Water 



SANTA BABBABA COUNTY. 



Company, the Hollister estate, El wood 
Cooper, C. A. Storke, J. W. Swett, Mrs. S. 
Tyler, W. W. Stow, and W. N. Roberts, the 
last two under title through Daniel Hill, of 
the Goleta, to whom N. A. Den sold during 
his lifetime. About two- thirds of the original 
rancho is arable land. -M r. G. C. Welch sold 
to Mr. J. H. Williams some 700 acres of the 
old Den place, inclnding the home rancho- 
house, where he has founded the seaside 
town of Naples. 

Six miles beyond Goleta is the famous 
Rancho Elwood, owned by Elwood Cooper. 
Ground was broken here in 1870, and by 
1878 Mr. Cooper had planted 200 vines, 400 
assorted fruit trees, including apple, peach, 
plum, cherry, etc., 200 fig, 3,500 olive, 4,000 
English walnut, 12,500 almond, and 25,000 
eucalyptus. This tree, it may be said, was 
introduced into Southern California by Mr. 
Cooper, whose rancho is bordered by splendid 
rows thereof, comprising about fifty varieties, 
whose growth is almost marvelous. It is 
estimated that they aggregate 1,000,000 
trees. Mr. Cooper's acreage was formerly 
2,000, now reduced to about 1,700. This 
place is a veritable botanical garden, contain- 
ing over 1,000 species of trees and plants 
from all over the world, from the various 
climates of the temperate and the tropical 
zones. For, although slight frosts fall here 
in winter, they are not sufficient to injure 
the most delicate plants. While this soil is 
excellently adapted for citrus-fruit growing, 
only enough for family use is raised of these 
varieties. An interest which has been pro- 
moted lately is the raising of Japanese per- 
simmons, a fruit which grows finely here, 
and which, as it contains more sugar than 
most fruits, is when properly cured a very 
palatable and wholesome article. The prin- 
cipal market for this product is Chicago, as 
also for nuts. Of the 12,500 almond trees 



already mentioned, only about one-half now 
remain, covering 200 or 300 acres; and while 
the yield per tree is not great, the aggregate 
is a good many tons of almonds per year, 
and as these nuts bring a high price, even a 
small crop pays better than grain-growing. 

Of walnut trees, which must be planted 
on the best soil, there are about 3,000, which 
are very prolific. Of walnuts and almonds 
together, some twelve or fourteen car-loads 
are raised annually. Of olive trees there are 
about 8,000 in various stages of bearing, 
which will yield, when all come into bearing 
fully, 50,000 bottles of oil. The yield from 
the crop now on the trees is estimated at 
25,000 bottles. This is a crop which pro- 
duces in alternate years, requiring rest for 
the trees between crops. Mr. Cooper's oil is 
considered among the best made in this State 
or in Europe, and it is sold all over the United 
States. To the perfecting of this branch Mr. 
Cooper has given most careful study of 
foreign methods, and the results of much 
exercise of inventive genius on his own part, 
many of his appliances being of his own de- 
vising. Mr. Cooper's profits are greater be- 
cause the location of his orchards and his 
careful methods of cultivation do away with 
the need for irrigation. The soil here is a 
sandy loam, adobe, clayey, and deep canon 
soil or alluvial detritus. It may be said 
further that here is perhaps the largest and 
most varied collection of flowers and orna- 
mental shrubs and plants to be found any- 
where on the Pacific coast, outside of public 
parks or ornamental grounds. As indicating 
the fecundity of yield, it may be said that 
from one Sicily lemon tree here no less than 
5, OOOlemons were picked in one season. 

THE FAMOUS HOLLISTEE PLACE 

includes about 3,200 acres of the old Dos 
Pueblos grant, lying about twelve miles west 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



99 



of Santa Barbara, about five-sixths of it being 
rich, arable land, adapted for most agricult- 
ural pursuits. The tract extends one and one- 
half miles along the highway, and has a depth 
of over three miles back to the mountains. 
Through it run three streams of living water, 
ample for irrigation. The soil is mostly 
made up of detritus from the mountain range, 
and it is of exceeding fertility. This prop- 
erty is approached by a broad highway from 
Santa Barbara. Colonel William Wells Hol- 
lister bought this property in 1869-'70 from 
the executors of the Den estate, and forth- 
with instituted notable improvements, upon 
which was expended a great sum of money, 
although probably very much less than the 
rumored sum of $400,000. The business 
center of the property was located at " the 
Lower House," where the laborers were lodged 
and boarded, and the dairy was situated. 
Two miles distant from this, through an ave- 
nue lined with lemon trees, was situated 
" Glen Annie," the family residence, so 
named in honor of Mrs. Hollister, being sit- 
uated at the head of a beautiful little canon, 
traversed by the Tecolotito (Little Owl) Creek. 
The native timber on this estate is princi- 
pally live-oak, with smaller quantities of syc- 
amore and willows, and the beautiful Cali- 
fornia laurel. The forage is burr- clover, 
red and white clover, and alfileria. The 
planted trees are eucalyptus, pepper, many 
varieties of acacia, palms, walnuts, etc. Fruit 
culture on this estate was carried to an ad- 
vanced degree. Irrigation was practiced only 
with the citrus fruit trees, the water being 
piped some eight miles through the adjacent 
mountain streams. Under Colonel Hollis- 
ter's wise administration, this estate was 
maintained in model condition, but since his 
death, his heirs have permitted it to run 
down, owing to continued litigation, which 
menaced its possession; and in effect, after 



fourteen years or more of litigation, a re- 
cent decision has adjudged the ownership 
of this property to the Den heirs, owing 
to an informality in the probate sale. 

THE WESTERN PORTION OF SANTA 
BARBARA. 

For convenience and for geographical and 
social reasons, this district will be regarded 
as comprising the following ranchos, wholly 
or in part: Lompoc and Mission Yieja de 
la Furisiina, Funta de la Concepcion, the 
west half of Nuestra Senora del Refugio, 
San Julian, Canada de Salsipuedes, Santa 
Rosa, Santa Rita, Mission de la Pur- 
isima, and the southern half of Jesus Maria. 
It has a coast of thirty-seven miles, extend- 
ing from La Gaviota Pass or Landing west- 
ward to Point Concepcion, and thence south- 
ward to Point Purisima. At Point Concep- 
cion, the Santa Barbara Mountains, which 
protect the Santa Barbara Valley against the 
cold winds from the north, terminate ab- 
ruptly in the Pacific; and the west coast 
valleys to the northward of this point are 
exposed to the full force of the trade winds, 
which, particularly at night, supply much 
moisture for the crops of summer. The 
climate here is accordingly cool and bracing 
stimulating the system to labor, and promot- 
ing healthful sleep. The interior valleys 
are less subject to winds and fog, and they 
are warmer in the day, and cooler at night. 

Until within the last twelve or fourteen 
years, the only use made of all this section 
was for the raising of live-stock, and the 
only population consisted of the few herd- 
ers and vaqueros necessary to look after 
the stock. The number of acres of arable 
land in this district is estimated at 35,000, 
in a total of 223,487.45. The chief pro- 
ducts are wheat, barley, beans, corn, pota- 



100 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



toes, mustard, flax, honey, butter, cheese, 
wool, hogs, cattle, horses, and sheep. In 
1881, this district supported 817 horses, 
3,253 cattle, and 95,703 sheep. The annual 
production of wool is about 650,000 pounds. 
The soil is rich and productive, but re- 
quires early seeding and deep and thorough 
cultivation. Fruit culture is successful in 
the valleys which are sheltered from the 
strong and continual trade-winds of the 
Pacific. 

LOMPOC. 

The Lompoc Colony Lands embrace all 
the territory of the Lompoc and Mission 
Vieja de la Purisima ranchos; the title is 
by United States patent. These lands bor- 
der for seven miles on the Pacific Ocean, 
and extend back from the coast about twelve 
miles. The original Lompoc rancho, con- 
taining 38,335.78 acres of land, was granted 
by the Mexican Government to Jose Anto- 
nio Carrillo, April 15, 1837, and the Mission 
Vieja to Joaquin and Jose Antonio Carrillo, 
November 26, 1845, this containing 4,440 
acres. Carrillo sold the Lompoc to the 
More Brothers, they to Hollisters, Dibblees 
and Cooper, who sold to a joint stock com- 
pany 46,499.04 acres, of which about 24,000 
acres are plain land Tha main valley con- 
tains 16,000 acres. The Santa Ynez River 
runs westerly through these ranchos, and 
for some twelve miles forms their northern 
boundary. 

The name Lompoc is from the Indian for 
lagoon or little lake, probably at first two 
words — Lum Poc. This was modified by the 
Spanish to Lompoco, whence the present 
name. The history of Lompoc colony 
proper begins only as far back as 1874, 
when a company of California farmers and 
business men organized a joint-stock com- 
pany, under the auspices of the California 
Immigrant Union of San Francisco, and 



bought from Hollister & Dibblee the Lom- 
poc and Mission Yieja ranchos, giving 
$500,000, payable in ten annual installments. 
The capital stock was divided into 100 shares 
of $5,000 each. In the deed was placed a 
clause of an iron-clad nature, providing 
against the manufacture or sale, upon the 
lands to be acquired in the colony, of any 
intoxicating beverages. The lands were now 
surveyed, and divided into tracts of five, ten, 
twenty, forty and eighty acres. For a town- 
site was reserved a tract one mile square, 
nine miles from the coast, and near the cen- 
ter of the valley. The water supply was 
sufficient for a population of 25,000. 

On November 9 were held the sales of lots, 
amounting to more than $700,000 for city 
and farm tracts, leaving unsold about 35,000 
acres, for which the company were offered 
$370,000 by the former owners. Building 
and farm operations were immediately begun, 
and within two months eighty families were 
occupying their new homes. A new county 
road was now built, connecting Lompoc with 
La Graciosa. Lompoc put forward a claim 
to be made the county-seat of a proposed new 
county, to be formed from a portion each of 
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. 

By 1875 the town was flourishing. It 
supported a newspaper — the Record, started 
April 10 — a physician, a justice of the peace, 
and a notary public. There was a Sunday 
school of 100 members. Communication 
with the outside world was had by means of 
a tri-weekly stage. About this time it tran- 
spired that one Green, a druggist, was retail- 
ing liquor contrary to the terms of the land 
sales, and some 200 of the most reputable 
men and women assembled, and, first search- 
ing but vainly, for liquor in the other business 
houses, they proceeded to Green's drug store, 
and prepared to destroy his stock of liquors. 
Green resisted, and threatened violence, but 



SANTA BAEBARA COUNTY. 



101 



submitted when it was intimated that the 
besieging party might proceed to a lynching 
settlement. The matrons then broke up the 
barrels, casks, etc., spilling the liquor, and 
then withdrew to their homes. This affair 
caused a great sensation, of more than local 
discussion. 

The first marriage in Lompoc was that of 
Jesse I. Hobson and Miss Lyndia Spencer, 
July 25, 1875. 

During this year Father McNally agitated 
the question of building a Roman Catholic 
Church at Lompoc; and so successful were 
his efforts that Protestants and Catholics 
alike gave liberally, especially the old ran- 
chos. Thus the church was soon built; it 
was christened -'La Pnrisima," and in its 
tower was placed one of the bells from the 
old neighboring mission of La Purisima. 

The first school in Lompoc was opened on 
May 3 by ttev. J. W. Webb, who was Grand 
Secretary of the order of Good Templars in 
Southern California. The census of this year 
found 225 children in Lompoc school dis- 
trict. On October 16 the town voted an ap- 
propriation of $3,000 to the school-house 
fund. On the first anniversary of its found- 
ing, the colony contained 200 families, and 
good church and school facilities, although 
the school-house, whose fund was raised by 
the sale of bonds, was not built until 1876. 

In June, 1876, Lompoc was visited by the 
severest storm ever known in that section. 
The Lompoc Record stated that the waves 
ran twenty feet above the wharf. At Point 
Sal a $20,000 vessel was driven ashore and 
totally wrecked. The Lompoc wharf at Point 
Purisima, thirteen miles up the coast from 
Lompoc, was completed this year. (In the 
summer of 1884 this wharf was extended 
sixty feet, the rest of it was repaired, and a 
new warehouse, 50 x 100 feet, was built.) 
Not one name of a property owner in this 



district was in the delinquent tax list this 
year. 

The events of 1878 were: the building of 
a $600 bridge across the Santa Ynez at Lom- 
poc, completed February 4; and a revival of 
the question of county division. Although 
nothing came of it, there was much discus- 
sion over this subject, as the section found it 
very detrimental to do business with so dis- 
tant a center as Santa Barbara. By this time 
certain unfavorable conditions had produced 
a state of depression in the affairs of this 
section. To assist in tiding over the juncture, 
the original owners volunteered to remit cer- 
tain portions of the moneys still due them 
from the purchasers; Colonel flollister, hold- 
ing five-twelfths, and Albert Dibblee and 
Thomas Dibblee each holding two-twelfths 
of the company's indebtedness, remitted all 
of the accrued interest for three years and 
two and one-half months, from the time of 
purchase, October 15, 1874, to date, January 
1, 1878; also Mrs. Sherman, P. Stow, and 
Mr. and Mrs. Jack, each holding one-half of 
the indebtedness, remitted one year's interest, 
the whole rebate amounting to $130,000, 
lifting a heavy burden from the colonists. 

In 1880 Lompoc contained 200 inhabitants. 
There were Methodist, Roman Catholic, 
Christian, Cumberland Presbyterian, and 
South Methodist church organizations, the 
three first named owning church structures. 
There was a good school-house, a public hall 
30 x 60 feet, a public library, three hotels, 
a Good Templars' library, a fifty-horse-power 
steam flou ring-mill, and about thirty business 
establishments. There were societies of Odd 
Fellows, Good Templars, Knights of Pythias, 
and Patrons of Husbandry, also a literary and 
musical society and a uniformed brass band; 
two justices of the peace, two constables, two 
doctors, one lawyer and one notary public, a 
daily mail, and express and telegraph offices. 



102 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



The population of the colony lands was 
now 1,400. The territory was divided into 
six school districts, each having an ample 
school building. Moreover, a public park of 
five acres had been set apart for the general 
use. 

. -Regarding the entire acreage this year 
planted as 100, the percentage of the various 
principal crops was as follows: wheat, .36; 
barley, .36; mustard, .10; beans, .7; corn, .6; 
hay, 4.; flax, .-J; potatoes, .^. 

In 1881 the liquor question once more 
came to the surface, producing the usual 
effect of strong waters — uneasiness and dis- 
order. In April there was an explosion in 
the Lompoc Hotel, caused by the loading with 
gun-powder of wood to be consumed in the 
store. This had once before happened while 
the hotel was under the management of a man 
who sold liquors, but who, after the explosion, 
closed out his business and left the town. 
Against the traffic the local paper inveighed 
most bitterly, like all the citizens, and public 
meetings were held, numerously attended 
and full of enthusiasm. At last, toward mid- 
night on May 20, a large bomb was thrown 
into George Walker's saloon, it being known 
that no one was in the building at the time. 
So large was the bomb, and so violent the 
concussion, that Mr. Walker discontinud the 
business in Lompoc; the sides were thrown 
out, the second floor and the roof crashed in, 
and in fact the building was quite demolished. 

Lompoc was very proud of two celebrations 
held this year. The first, on May 9, was the 
eighteenth anniversary of the Knights of 
Pythias of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara 
auk Lompoc, on which occasion there were 
processions, literary exerciees, picnics, a bar- 
becue and a grand ball. The Fourth of July 
was also celebrated in an attractive manner. 

Lompoc now has a daily mail, a bank, 
express and telegraph offices, six organized 



churches with fine congregations, and the 
usual number of business houses warranted 
by a population of 2,000. The schools of 
this colony are considered among the best in 
the State. They employ twelve teachers. 
The town school is especially well conducted, 
and will soon be raised to a high-school grade. 

The town is laid out in rectangular blocks 
300 x 500 feet, the streets being eighty and 
100 feet wide. The blocks are bisected by 
an alley twenty feet wide, and the lots are 
25x125 and 25x140 feet. The business 
houses are substantia], and the dwelling 
houses are mostly of the latest design. Plans 
have been submitted and bids advertised for 
a new public hall, 50 x 130 feet, which will 
cost some $6,000, and will be the finest hall 
in the county. An election has been called 
to vote bonds for a $10,000 school-house. 
The present year will witness building in the 
town and valley to the amount of $150,000. 

The town is incorporated, and it owns its 
own water supply. 

There is a project, too, of putting in an 
electric light plant. 

Lompoc now contains five general mer- 
chandise establishments, aggregating about 
$50,000; two hardware, of $10,000 and $20,- 
000; one shoe store, $1,000; one furniture, 
$5,000; two drug stores, $4,000 each; one 
jeweler, $7,000; two lumber-yards and plan- 
ing mills of $25,000 and $20,000; two hotels; 
two tailor shops ; two fruit stores ; two saloons ; 
two large livery stables; two harness-shops; 
two barber shops; four large blacksmith 
shops; two butcher-shops; two physicians; 
one dentist; two lawyers; and four real-es- 
tate dealers. 

The grazing lands are excellent, and there 
is a large business done in live-stock. At 
present this valley has no railroad facilities. 
To the shipment of the section's products, 
there have been built three wharves — one at 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



103 



Lorapoc Landing, Point Purisima, thirteen 
miles away, and at Point Arguello, fourteen 
miles distant, and one at Gaviota twenty- 
four miles distant. Passenger travel is by 
stage via Gaviota or Los Alamos. 

The census for 1885 showed Lompoc to 
have 195 boys, and 232 girls, or 427 chil- 
dren, of school age. 

The wheat crop of Lompoc and Santa 
Maria Valley for 1885 was about 100,000 
centals. The average yield was the best in 
the county — about five sacks per acre. 
Santa Maria Valley yielded about three sacks 
per acre. 

In 1886 Lompoc reported a grand aggre- 
gate of domestic exports from that region to 
the value of $337,000. This was produced 
by 400 families, thus giving each $815, be- 
sides the products consumed at home. Of 
the crops raised, English mustard yielded 
1,250 tons, of $75,000 gross value; beans 
40,000 sacks, worth $50,000; wheat, $40,000; 
barler, $78,000; cheese and butter, $25,000; 
eggs and poultry, $15,000; beef cattle, $20,- 
000; hogs, $15,000; horses sold, $12,000; 
100 tons honey, $7,000. 

An unusually industrious and intelligent 
class of people has been attracted to Lompoc 
by the fame of the colony's high moral char 
acter. This causes this district to be re- 
garded with particular favor for family 
settlement. 

Adjacent to this colony are many large 
ranchos which will be subdivided and placed 
on the market in homestead tracts at an early 
future date. 

Lands of the greatest fertility in this valley 
can be bought for $125 per acre. Grazing 
lands sell for $10 to $40 per acre. 

The land of Lompoc Valley is a rich allu- 
vial soil, and it is very productive. Artesian 
wells supply water for irrigation where 
necessary. Thus the country tributary to 



the town is adapted to agricultural and graz- 
ing purposes. Here 3,700 pounds of beans 
have been raised upon a single acre, and bar- 
ley has been known to yield 100 bushels to 
the acre, eighty bushels being not uncom- 
mon. The English yellow mustard is an im- 
portant product. It is sowed in May, and 
harvested in July, yielding 1,800 to 2,200 
pounds to the acre, worth 2-J to 3^ cents per 
pound. The wild mustard grows so large 
and in such profusion that men have earned 
$2.50 per day cutting it for market. Wheat, 
corn, rye, potatoes, flax, and fruits are also 
grown, and the output is simply enormous. 
Bee-keeping also yields a considerable revenue 
to augment the sum total. 

The apples from Lompoc were awarded at 
the New Orleans Exposition the first silver 
medal over all the other sections of the Pa- 
cific States and Territories. 



RANCHOS. 



The Santa Rita Rancho, granted to Ramon 
Malo by Governor Pio Pico, April 12, 1845, 
contained " three square leagues, a little more 
or less," the patent issued June 25, 1875, 
calling for 13,316.05 acres. The Santa Rita 
Valley, which opens northeasterly from the 
Santa Ynez, is in part a sohrante (remainder) 
from the Rancho de la Purisima. In early 
years it was used exclusively for grazing, 
and at that time supported a small settlement, 
which was the scene of many a bloody en- 
counter. It is ow r ned at present mainly by 
Jesse Hill, and is used mainly for grazing, 
although it is farmed somewhat, and has 
several smaller owners. 

East of Santa Rita lies the Rancho Santa 
Rosa, a magnificent estate, well watered by the 
Santa Ynez River, amply supplied with live- 
oak for fuel, and with a deep, rich soil, which, 
even to the hill-tops, affords the richest pas- 
turage. In 1881, there were grazing here 



104 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



17,000 sheep, seventy-eight cattle, and twenty 
horses, with feed for several thousands more. 
Upward of 5,000 acres of valley and foot- 
hill lands are arahle. From twenty acres of 
wheat have been harvested 1,100 bushels of 
grain, even with great loss in harvesting. 
About 100 acres are farmed to hay. The 
wool clip in 1880 amounted to 120,000 lbs., 
sold at 22-| cents per pound, from twelve to 
thirty-five men being employed in this in- 
terest, at different seasons of the year. This 
rancho is now owned by J. W. Cooper. 

The Rancho Canon de Sal si Pnedes is so 
named from a canon winding through it, so 
tortuous as to deserve the Spanish name, 
" Get-out-if-you-can." Prior to 1874 it passed 
into the possession of Hollister & Dibblee, 
who used it for sheep grazing. It is accred- 
ited by the United States patent with 6,656.- 
21 acres. It is now the exclusive property 
of the Hollister estate. 

The Rancho San Julian, of 48,221.68 acre- 
age, was granted to George Rock, April 7, 
1837, and the claim was purchased and its 
title perfected by Jose de la Guerra y Nor- 
iega. It is singularly diversified and attract- 
ive in its topography, being made up of rolling 
hills and dipping valleys, watered by running 
brooks and numerous living springs of pure 
water. Its largest and loveliest valley is the 
Canada San Julian, a branch of the old Pu- 
risirna Mission, where the padres used to 
make wine. The soil is deep, rich, strong, 
and productive to the tops of the hills, the 
grass being thick, deep and dense. The lead- 
ing trees are the live-oak, willow, sycamore, 
manzanita, and madrono. In 1881, there 
were estimated to be 70 horses, 575 cattle, 
and 64,703 sheep, upon the San Julian and 
the Sal si Puedes ranchos. The natural in- 
crease of flocks in this favored section is little 
short of marvelous. The San Julian Rancho 
now belongs to T. B. & A. Dibblee. 



About three miles east of Point Concepcion 
begins the coast line of the Rancho Punta 
de la Concepcion, comprising the ranchos La 
Espada and El Cojo, and including an area 
of 24,992.04 acres, belonging to P. W. 
Murphy. The coast line extends north- 
westerly about twenty miles, the interior 
boundary of the rancho lying nearly parallel 
to, and about three and a half miles distant 
from its coast line. In the northern part, 
this rancho partakes of the general character 
of the Lompoc lands, being chiefly mesa and 
low valley hill lands; in the southern portion, 
near Point Concepcion, it is composed of very 
ragged and picturesque outlines. The body 
of the land adjacent to the point is, in a fair 
year, good pasture, being a part of the 
Rancho el Cojo, famous for its rich grazing 
and fine beef. Some cereals are raised in the 
northern part of the rancho, but cattle-raising 
is the principal business. This rancho is 
characterized by that bold promontory, some 
220 feet high, situated where the coast trends 
suddenly from east and west below to a line 
almost at right angles north and south. 
This point, whose position is given by the 
Coast Survey as latitude 34° north, longitude 
120° west, has been termed the "Cape Horn" 
and the '• Cape Hatteras " of the Pacific, on 
account of the heavy northwesters here met 
on emerging from the channel, the climatic 
and meteorological conditions also changing 
with remarkably sudden and sharp definition, 
so that vessels coming from the eastward 
with all sails set, are at once reduced to short 
canvas on approaching the cape. This point 
was discovered by Cabrillo in 1542, and 
called C pe Galera, which name was after- 
ward changed to the present. The view from 
the headland is extended and magnificent. 
It bears a lighthouse, whose lantern, 250 feet 
above the water, can plainly be seen in clear 
weather from the Santa Barbara hills, forty 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



105 



miles away. The light shown is a white 
revolving half-minute flash, of the first order 
of the Fresnel system. This light was built 
on land supposed to belong to the Govern- 
ment, but which proved to be a part of the 
grant purchased by the Murphys. After 
much delay as to repairs, etc., because of the 
insecurity of title, the United States in 1881 
purchased from the owners for $10 000 a title 
to the lighthouse buildings, etc., and thirty 
acres of land adjoining. At Point Arguello, 
about twelve miles north of Point Concep- 
cion, the Sudden Wharf was built in 1881. 
About three miles from Point Arguello, on 
the Espada Rancho, there are hot sulphur 
springs. 

The Rancho Nuestra Senora del Refugio, 
containing 26,529 acres, was granted to 
Antonio Maria Ortega, August 1, 1834. It 
has a coast-line of about twenty miles, and 
from the coast an average depth of three 
miles. The rancho is divided into two nearly 
equal parts by the Gaviota Pass, about sixty 
feet wide, the only natural gateway into the 
Santa Barbara mountains between the San 
Buenaventura River and Point Concepcion. 
This pass is an important outlet for a wide 
scope of country behind the mountains, in- 
cluding most of the western portion of the 
country. Its landing at Gaviota is good and 
safe, having the substantial wharf, 1,000 feet 
long (built by Hollister & Dibhlee in 1875) 
to accommodate a large shipping business. 
And, in effect, a large business is done here, 
principally in live-stock, wool, general mer- 
chandise, sacked grain, miscellaneous farm 
and ranch produce, and lumber. This wharf 
is about thirty-eight miles from Santa Bar- 
bara, and twenty-eight miles from the 
Lompoc wharf A peculiarity of this locality 
is a strong off-shore wind, which somewhat 
interferes with the landing of sailing vessels, 
while, in consequence of the strong blast 

7 



always coming down the pass, no vessel is 
ever thrown against the shore. The scenery 
hereabouts is very picturesque. 

The topography of the Rancho de Nuestra 
Sefiora del Refugio is very similar to that of 
the San Julian. It is mainly utilized as a 
6heep rancho. 



LOS ALAMOS VALLEY. 



The next valley is Los Alamos. It is 
watered by an arroyo of the same name, which 
rises in the San Rafael Mountains, and, some- 
times sinking out of sight, empties into the 
sea between Point Purisima and Point Sal. 
This is a long valley, being in its broadest 
part scarcely more than two miles wide. It 
contains but one town, Los Alamos. 

Lying between the Santa Ynes and the 
Santa Maria Valley, stretches this valley, 
some twenty-five miles long by two miles 
wide. It is drained by an arroyo of the same 
name, which flows almost due west, some- 
times with sinks below the surface. This 
district comprises the ranchos of La Laguna, 
Los Alamos, Todos Santos, north half of 
Jesus Maria, Casmali, the hill lands of Point 
Sal, and adjoining Government lands. The 
total area of these ranchos, as shown by 
the United States patents, is 149,305.60 
acres. Until a comparatively recent date, 
cattle and sheep raising were the principal 
industries, but now immense quantities of 
wheat, barley, beans, hay, hogs, bricks and 
lime, as well as horse9, cattle and wool, are 
shipped annually. The grazing interests on 
May 1, 1881, were represented about as fol- 
lows: horses, 495; cattle, 1,400; sheep, 50,- 
000. There are in this district about 40,000 
acres adapted to tillage. The soil is mixed, 
the greater portion being heavy loam, partic- 
ularly in the valley proper. There is also 
adobe and sandy loam, with bits inclining to 
a shaly character. The rainfall is somewhat 



106 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



less than at Santa Barbara, varying from 
seven to fifteen inches. The temperature is 
very equable, averaging 65° the year around. 
The hottest weatber comes here in September, 
when the record occasionally reaches 95° to 
115°, though these extremes are very rare, 
and of brief duration. The sea-breeze tempers 
the climate notably. Save for trees in their 
first year, there is no necessity for irrigation, 
but an inexhaustible supply of surface water 
is obtained by digging ten to twenty feet. 
These wells afford the domestic supply. The 
perfection of the crops here is attributed to 
the great depth of soil, the nearness of water 
to the surface, and the protection from dry- 
ing winds afforded by the hills. The hill- 
sides afford good feed in all seasons. Wheat, 
barley, corn, beans, flax and hemp are the 
staple products of the soil; flax and hemp 
grow so luxuriantly as to promise an impor- 
tant revenue, not only from the fiber but 
also the seed. The yield of wheat in 1880 
was 115,000 centals, and the acreage is con- 
stantly increasing, the yield being twenty to 
forty bushels to the acre; barley averages 
twenty- five to sixty bushels to the acre; hay 
reaches three and a half tons to the acre in 
an ordinary year. Butter and cheese also 
are produced. 

The prosperity of this section is evinced 
by the excellent condition of all improve- 
ments, public and private. Roads kept in 
good order, fences, dwellings, barns, and out- 
buildings all of the best kind, are an index 
to the status of the community. 

Within this district are three sea-shipping 
points, distant as follows from the town of 
Los Alamos: Point Sal, twenty-five miles; 
Chute Landing, twenty-two miles; Lompoc 
Wharf at Point Purisima, twenty-five miles. 

La Laguna Rancho lies at the head of this 
valley. It was granted to Miguel Avila, No- 
vember 3, 1845, and confirmed to Octaviano 



Gutierrez, the United States patent calling 
for 48,703.91 acres. This rancho has suffered 
many decimations. It is traversed by the 
county road. 

The Rancho Los Alamos was granted to 
Jose Antonio Carrillo, March 9, 1839, con- 
sisting of 48.803.38 acres. The United 
States patent was issued September 12, 1872. 
It embraced about one-third of the entire 
valley. A heavy lawsuit has made this 
rancho conspicuous. On the original tract 
were pastured on March 1, 1881, 300 horses, 
500 cattle, and 25,000 sheep. 

Todo= Santos Rancho originally contained 
22,200. It was granted to Salvador Osio, 
November 3, 1844, and confirmed to William 
E. P. Hartwell; the patent calls for 10,722.17 
acres. The live-stock here on March 1, 1881, 
was 50 horses, 200 cattle, and 3,000 sheep. 

The Rancho Jesus Maria was granted to 
Lucas Olivera, April 8, 1837, containing 
42,184.93 acres, and the southern two-thirds 
portion was confirmed to Lewis T. Burton. 
Some 10,000 acres of this land is adapted to 
cereals. Its stock on March 1, 1881, consisted 
of 40 horses, 500 cattle, and 10,000 sheep. 

The Casmali Rancho was granted to An- 
tonio Olivera, September 12, 1840, it con- 
taining 8,841.21 acres. It has a two-mile 
coast line, and extends some six miles into 
the interior. It produces some cereals, but 
stock-raising is the main interest. On March 
1, 1881, there were here 25 horses, 150 cat- 
tle, and 6,000 sheep. The black sand of the 
shore is mined for gold, in a small way. In 
1875 was made an unsuccessful attempt to 
colonize this rancho. 

Point Sal is at the extremity of a promi- 
nent cape that projects into the Pacific from 
the Government lands lying between the 
Casmali and the Gaudalupe. It is about 
twenty-four miles from Los Alamos, and 
twenty-one miles from Lompoc. For some 



SANTA BABBABA COUNTY. 



107 



years freight was discharged here by lighter 
through the surf. Then, after the rejection 
of several petitions, a wharf was built in 
1874; it was carried away by a storm in 
1876; was rebuilt the next spring, and 
washed away again the following winter; 
then, being rebuilt, it still remains. 

The coast here is bold and rugged, rising 
twenty to 100 feet above the water. At the 
point is a laguna, some three miles long, cov- 
ering about 3,000 acres, which is a great re- 
sort for water-fowl, many of which are shot 
for their feathers. 

Owing to dissatisfaction with the admin- 
istration of the Point Sal wharf, a stock com- 
pany was formed, and a chute landing 
constructed near by, where there was a shel- 
tered and safe anchorage. The first grain 
was received for shipment in 1880, and 
13,000 tons of grain were handled here the 
first two years. In this time, it is said, the 
chute landing saved to the farmers its full 
first cost, in freight and wharfage. After 
some years this wharf was bought out by a 
steamship company, for the purpose of 
forcing the traffic over another landing 1 , 
already established by the company. 

Adjacent to the mouth of Los Alamos Ar- 
royo is Lompoc Wharf, built in 1876. 

The name Los Alamos means " The Cot- 
tonwoods," which trees were conspicuous by 
their absence, upon this rancho. In 1867 
John S. Bell bought from Jose Antonio de 
la Guerra y Carrillo that portion of the 
rancho whereon the town now is situated, 
which, for some ten years thereafter, he de- 
voted to the raising of sheep and cattle. In 
1873 the stage route which hitherto had 
passed through the Tiniquiac rancho was so 
changed as to run through Los Alamos, and 
then buildings were erected for a barn and 
eating-house for passengers. 

In 1876 John Purkiss built at Los Alamos 



the pioneer mill of Santa Barbara County, 
and during the same year, C. D. " Patterson " 
tested the farming capabilities of the region 
with such success that the future of the val- 
ley was assured from the agricultural stand- 
point. A store and a hotel were built, and 
in 1887 Mr. Bell, together with Dr. J. B. 
Shaw, who had now acquired a portion of 
the rancho, laid out the town of Los Alamos, 
and built a steam flouring-mill. In 1882 
Mr. Peter Conyer built a public assembly 
hall. Dr. Shaw donated a lot, and a fine 
school-house was built upon it. In October, 
1882, the Pacific Coast Railway reached the 
place, and built a fine depot and water tanks, 
and established a telegraph line. On Janu- 
ary 24, 1884, was issued the first number of 
a newspaper, the Los Alamos Herald. By 
this time the town had eight business houses, 
shops and stores, and 100 dwelling houses, 
all occupied. 

There are now in Los Alamos two large 
general merchandise houses, two good hotels, 
one drug store, two livery stables, two black- 
smith shops, one barber shop, several carpen- 
ters, one paint shop, one hardware store, one 
meat market, two laundries, one steam roller 
flouring-mill, one brewery, one stationer's 
shop, one lumber yard, one harness shop, one 
millinery shop, several saloons, a money-or- 
der postoftice, an express office, and one 
practicing physician. 

The public shool-house is a fine $5,000 
building, containing two departments. The 
Methodist congregation has a fine brick 
church, which is used also by the Presbyte- 
rians. Each of these denominations has a 
resident clergyman. 

Los Alamos has the usual number of 
justices, constables, notaries, insurance 
agents, etc. There is also a live weekly 
newspaper, the Progress. The population is 
about 500. 



108 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



Los Alamos is on the line of the Pacific 
Coast Railway, between San Luis Obispo and 
Los Olivos. 

There is here an abundant rainfall, insur- 
ing good crops every year, the quantity of 
water falling here exceeding that in most 
other localities. No irrigation is required 
for crops. This section abounds in living 
springs, and good water can be obtained 
almost anywhere at a depth of ten or fifteen 
feet. 

Not least anion cr the advantages is the fact 
that o-ood live-oak wood can be obtained here 
in any quantity for but little more than the 
price of cutting. There is also plenty of 
game in this vicinity. 

On July 28, 1886, the schooner Columbia, 
with a cargo of 100,000 feet of lumber and 
3,000 posts for the Lompoc Lumber Com- 
pany, went ashore in a fog, at the mouth of 
Los Alamos Creek, and was a total loss. 
Most of the cargo, being strewn along the 
beach, was saved. 

SANTA YNES VALLEY. 

The Santa Ynes is the largest of the five 
valleys, including an area of 120,000 acres of 
farming land and 280,000 of pasturage. 

The Santa Ynes Yalley is in the form of a 
horseshoe. The San Rafael Mountains on 
the north and the Santa Ynes range on the 
south meet at the eastern extremity of the 
valley, which they divide from the narrow 
strip of land in the vicinity of Santa Barbara. 
These mountains meeting form the toe of the 
horseshoe, where rises the Santa Ynes River, 
which runs westward through the whole val- 
ley, emptying into the Pacific a few miles 
north of Lompoc. The western end of this 
valley is open to the Pacific, which largely 
accounts for the delightful climate of this 
section, the western trade winds being felt all 
the length of the valley. This valley may be 



divided into two parts, the upper or Santa 
Ynes Yalley proper, and the lower or Lom- 
poc Valley. The former comprises the fol- 
lowing large ranchos: San Carlos de Jonata 
or Buell, Corral de Quati, De Zaca, Canada 
de los Pinos or College Ranch, San Marcos, 
Tequepis, Nojogui (often misspelled Nojo- 
qui), Los Prietos y Najalayegua, Las Lomas 
de la Purificacion, and part of Las Cruces; 
in all about 223,185 acres, of which at least 
50,000 acres are adapted to agriculture and 
horticulture. There are also Government 
lands obtained from Mision Santa Ynes, and 
comprising the Alamo Pintado, some 6,000 
acres in extent. Most of the. soil is a rich, 
gravelly loam, which is very easy to culti- 
vate, and which, when kept loose by cultiva- 
tion, retains sufficient moisture to keep fruit 
trees of all kinds, and vines, to grow entirely 
well without irrigation through the dryest 
season. Some of the rich bottom lands of 
this district will raise the finest of summer 
crops, of corn, beans, etc., without irrigation. 

The whole valley is magnificently watered 
by the river and by tributary creeks from the 
mountains on both sides. Good well water 
is had almost everywhere at ten to 100 feet 
below the surface, and there is no doubt that 
on a great portion of the land artesian water 
can be had at little depth. The entire valley 
is beautifully wooded with scattered oaks and 
sycamores. White, red, and green chestnut 
oaks (Quercus lobata, rubra, and demiflora) 
are found, the white oak supplying the 
farmers with fence posts at very small cost. 
Along the creeks are found the alder, the bay 
or sweet laurel, and the willow. A species 
of pine is found in the San Rafael moun- 
tains. 

The valley is reached from Santa Barbara 
by the San Marcos Pass over the mountains, 
this route being forty-five miles; or else 
through the Gaviota, a natural pass or defile 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



109 



through the Santa Ynez mountains, it being 
sixty miles by this way. 

This valley hitherto has been so difficult of 
access, and the removal of crops to market 
has been so expensive, that the farmers' 
profits have been small, and land has been 
heldvery low. 

Until recently, this valley was used exclu- 
sively for grain, great quantities, of a very 
fine quality, being raised annually. There is 
no rust or blight found here, and wheat has 
yielded thirty to fifty bushels to the acre. 
Barley also yields exceedingly well. 

Some years ago, Mr. A. Hayne, Jr., of 
Montecito, became satisfied that the Santa 
Ynes, particularly the Alamo Pintado, other- 
wise Ballard's Valley, was thoroughly adapted 
to the culture of the olive. This idea was 
based on the gravelly nature of the soil, and 
the extreme dryness of the climate, the 
absence of the fogs felt on the coast obviating 
the ravages of the olive's worst foe, the black 
scale. Accordingly, in 1884 he set out 
5,000 young trees just below the old Mis- 
sion . Two years later they bore fruit. Mr. 
Hayne, with the Messrs. Gould, of New York, 
has since planted another orchard of 5,000 
trees; Mr. Ben. Hayne planted 2,500, and 
now olive culture has become the leading 
industry of the valley. Next in importance 
comes vine-planting, the vineyard of Mr. 
Louis Janin having demonstrated that the 
raisin grape will do splendidly anywdiere in 
the valley and on the foot-hills. 

Apricots, nectarines, apples, pears, peaches, 
quinces, and the small fruits thrive well, and 
are remarkable for the fineness of their flavor. 
Prunes do excellently well in the valley, and 
no doubt their curing will shortly be added 
to the local industries. 

The sugar beet promises to do well, and a 
sugar factory is within the probabilities for 
the near future. 



There are four settlements in the valley; 
the town of Santa Ynes, lying in the middle 
of the College Rancho; Ballard's Station, and 
Childs' Station, on the San Carlos Jonata 
Rancho, and Los Olivos. 

The road on the southern slope of the 
Santa Ynez mountains was built by the late 
J. A. Brown at a cost of $18,000, or $3,000 
for each of the six miles of the road. 

The Atlantic & Pacific Railway is survey- 
ing the San Marcos Canon, through which 
this road passes, where it is designed to make 
a tunnel two miles long. 

Santa Ynez is the town founded in 1882, 
distant from San Luis Obispo eighty miles, of 
which seventy-five are traversed by the Pacific 
Coast Railway running to Los Olivos, whence 
the remaining five miles are by stage. 

The town supports two hotels, two or three 
stoi'es, two livery stables, six or seven saloons, 
and a blacksmith shop, and it has a number 
of sightly cottages and other dwellings. 

The Santa Ynez Land and Improvement 
Company has a fine office here. 

There is a band consisting of fifteen mem- 
bers, which discourses good music. 

Santa Ynez has one of the finest school- 
houses in the county. It is a two-story 
wooden structure, just completed at a cost of 
$6,000. It is eligibly situated on a com- 
manding site. 

Santa Ynez is the Spanish for " Saint 
Agnes." 

The Rancho Las Cruces is of divided 
ownership. It is a tract of about two leagues 
(8,888 acres), lying north of the summit, and 
on the main county road to Gaviota Landing. 
Stock-raising is its chief industry. The so- 
called town of Las Cruces is three and one- 
half miles from Gaviota Wharf, north of the 
pass, forty-two miles from Santa Barbara. It 
consists only of a postoffice, a store, and half 
a dozen surrounding dwellings. Less than a 



110 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



mile distant are the Las Cruces Hot Sulphur 
Springs, the principal one of which flows a 
volume of about ten inches, at a temperature 
of 90°. The Tulare Indians used to fight 
hereabouts with the coast tribes, their war- 
fare ranging down as late as American oc- 
cupation. On one occasion they raided the 
adobe rancho house of Las (Jruces, shooting 
the walls full of arrows, and carrying off the 
horses of sixteen Californians, besieged within 
the dwelling. They were pursued, the horses 
retaken, and all but one of the Indians slain. 

Within two miles of Ballard's, and five of 
Santa Ynes, stands the young town of Los 
Olivos, started in 1886-'87. It is supported 
by the surrounding farming country with its 
rich yield of wheat and barley, and the 
numerous young fruit and olive orchards. 
The population of this little town is about 
150. There is one hotel (another was burned 
recently), two general merchandise houses, 
one drug store, two bars, two blacksmith 
shops, one livery stable, one lumber yard, a 
railroad station-house (of the Pacific Coast 
Railway, south from San Luis Obispo), post- 
office with daily mail, express office, one 
church, one school-house with one teacher, 
and accommodations for four departments. 

About five miles from Los Olivos, and ad- 
joining Santa Ynes, is the Indian reservation 
called Zanja de Cota, where live nine Indian 
families, or thirty to forty souls, remnants of 
the Santa Ynes Mission Indians, who live by 
farm labor, fishing, etc. 



BALLARDS. 



This little town was laid out in 1881, by 
George W. Lewis. It is in the Santa Ynes 
Valley, three miles from the old mission of 
Santa Ynes, and four from the Santa Ynes 
College. A fine wheat-growing region sur- 
rounds the town, having yielded an average 
of twenty centals to the acre of as good 



wheat as is found on the coast. A large 
irrigating canal runs through the place, and 
its many advantages promise a flourishing 
future. 

KANCHOS. 

The Rancho San Carlos de Jonata, other- 
wise known as " the Buell Ranch," is a tract 
of land of almost square shape, comprising 
26,634.31 acres, lying on the north bank of 
the Santa Ynes. It is estimated to contain 
10,000 acres of fine, rich, sandy loam soil, 
well watered by the Shasta Ynes and numer- 
ous creeks. This rancho is owned by H. 
I. Willey and others. This is used for graz- 
ing, although the lowlands are good grain 
lands, suitable for corn, wheat, barley and 
beans. The northwest portion, known as 
Red Rock, contains large bodies of asphaltum 
as yet undeveloped. 

The Rancho Corral de Cuati was granted 
to Augustine Davila, and confirmed to Maria 
Antonio de la Guerra y Lataillade, 13,300.24 
acres — United States patent 13,322.29 acres. 
The main county road runs from north to 
south through its eastern portion, the dis- 
tance to Gaviota being twenty miles, and to 
Los Alamos eight miles. The surface is 
rolling hills, mostly tillable, but used chiefly 
for grazing. This rancho, together with 
La Zaca, carried in 1881 the following stock: 
horses, 20; cattle, 1,114; sheep, 3,400. 

The Rancho La Zaca was a grant of 4,480 
acres, made to Maria Antonio de la Guerra y 
Lataillade in 1838 — United States patent 
4,458.10 acres. Its chief industry is stock- 
raising. At the head of La Zaca Creek is 
Zaca Lake, a beautiful sheet of water of 
about 100 acres area, 2,000 to 3,000 feet 
above the sea. 

The College Rancho, otherwise Rancho 
Canada de Los Pinos, is owned by the 
Roman Catholic Church, being under the 
control of the bishops. It was a grant of 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



Ill 



35,499 acres. The rancho is a nearly square 
tract of land, on the north bank of the Santa 
Ynes. Two living streams, the Santa Agata 
and the Canada de Los Piuos, flow through 
it. The elevation above the sea is about 596 
feet. Its shipping points are Gaviota Pass 
and Los Alamos, each about sixteen miles 
distant. Some 15,000 acres are -rich, arable 
lauds, especially adapted for wheat-growing. 
This land has produced about 1,600 pounds 
of wheat to the acre. This rancho is the 
site of the old Santa Ynes Mission, now 
fallen into disuse. One mile from the mis- 
sion is the College of Our Lady of Guada- 
lupe, organized to educate missionaries for 
the conversion of the Indians. On this 
rancho is the town of Santa Ynes, already 
described. 

The Rancho San Marcos is a tract of nearly 
circular form, comprising 35,573.10 acres, 
granted to Nicholas A. Den, June 8, 1846. 
By the San Marcos toll-road the nearest 
point to Santa Barbara is twelve miles dis- 
tant. Its surface is very rugged, therefore 
stock-raising is about the only industry prac- 
ticable. Quail, pigeon, deer, bear, California 
lion, trout and other game is very abundant 
in its wild fastnesses. This rancho is owned 
by the Pierce Brothers. 

The San Marcos Sulphur Springs are 
found seven miles northwest of Santa Bar- 
bara. They have a temperature of 120° F., 
and are used locally for skin diseases, etc. 

The Rancho Jequepis was granted to Joa- 
quin Villa and confirmed to Antonio Maria 
Villa. It is a tract of 8,919 acres, divided 
into two nearly equal portions by the Santa 
Ynes River. The surface of this rancho is 
much broken, and is used almost entirely for 
grazing. 

The Rancho Los Prietos y Najalayegua 
was originally granted to Francisco Domin- 
guez by the Mexican government, with very 



indefinite boundaries. Owing to the rugged 
and mountainous character of the land em- 
braced within its confines, the rancho was 
considered of very little value and was not 
presented to the land commissioners for con- 
firmation. Finally falling under the control 
of Thomas Scott, he secured the passage of 
an act of Congress securing the title to said 
grant in 1866. Then followed several years 
of litigation, during which the grant owners 
tried to secure a location of the grant on the 
south side of the Santa Ynes mountains and 
adjacent to the pueblo lands of the city of 
Santa Barbara. Many settlers who had 
located on these lands, attempting the secur- 
ing of title to them as pre-emptors and 
homesteaders, contended that the grant 
should be located north of the Santa Ynes. 
In the midst of this contest the development 
of the quicksilver interests north of the 
mountains gave promise of great results; and, 
influenced by this consideration, the grant 
owners consented to a location of the grant 
to the northward of the mountains. This 
was consequently done, and patents were 
issued accordingly. 

The Raneho Las Lomas de la Purificacion, 
lying south of and across the river from the 
College Rancho, was granted to Agustin 
Janssens, December 27, 1844, and contains 
13,320 acres under United States patent. It 
is owned by the heirs of the T. W. Moore 
estate. This is chiefly grazing land. By 
San Marcos toll-road, which traverses the 
rancho, it is twenty-two miles from Santa 
Barbara. 

The Rancho Nojogni (in general wrongly 
written Nojoqui) adjoins the Rancho de 
Jonata, from which it is separated by the 
Santa Ynes River. It was granted to Ray- 
mundo Carrillo, April 27, 1843, containing 
13,522.04 acres — United States patent, 
13,284 acres. This rancho is finely situ- 



112 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



ated in and about a well-watered canon, and 
along the county road leading through the 
mountain to the Gaviota Pass and Las 
Cruces. It is well watered by the Santa 
Ynes and its tributaries. It is owned by the 
Pierce Brothers, and the heirs of Dr. de la 
Cuesta. It contains excellent farming and 
grazing lands. The principal crops are 
wheat, flax and barley. ISTajogui is about 
eleven miles from Gaviota, twelve from Los 
Alamos, and forty-six from Santa Barbara. 
On the Canada Najogui, about five miles 
northeast of Las Cruces, and about 1,009 
feet above the sea, are the beautiful falls of 
Najogui, leaping down 700 feet, which have 
been compared to the storied falls of Minne- 
haha. 

SANTA MAKIA VALLEY. 

The Santa Maria Valley occupies the 
northern part of Santa Barbara County, ex- 
tending from the Pacific ocean to the Sisquoc 
range of hills, thirty-five miles eastward ; 
and from the San Luis Obispo county-line on 
the north to the low range of hills separat- 
ing this valley from that of Los Alamos. 
From Guadalupe, the main valley extends 
easterly twenty miles, and its continuation, 
the Sisquoc Valley, stretches still farther 
southeastward, the extreme eastern end fork- 
ing into the Sisquoc hills on one side and the 
Foxen canon lands on the other. The valley 
here is bordered on the north by the Santa 
Maria hills, and on the south by the clay 
mesas. The county near the coast is skirted 
by a range of low, fertile hills, mostly in- 
cluded in the Casmalia, Laguna and Guada- 
lupe land grants. All the drainage of the 
Santa Maria and Sisquoc rivers falls into the 
Santa Maria Valley. These streams drain 
an enormous country — a region that has 
twice the average rainfall of the same char- 
acter of hilly land from Los Angeles to San 
Diego. Large and swift streams as they are 



in winter, they sink in summer. Besides 
this water-supply, and the possibilities of 
artesian irrigation, the abundant crops of this 
valley, particularly near the coast, are nurt- 
ured by the heavy mists and fogs prevalent 
during the summer months. 

This valley was named from an Indian 
called Santa Maria, and the title at first re- 
lated to but a small" part of it, but it was 
later extended to the whole valley and 
stream. The greatest dimensions of the 
valley proper are about twenty-five miles 
long by twelve wide at the upper, and nar- 
rowing until it averages about four miles. It 
includes the Guadalupe, Punta de la Laguna, 
Tepusquet, Sisquoc, and Tinaquiac ranchos, 
their total acreage, as per the United States 
patents, being 123,590.77, at least 65,000 
acres being tillable land. Ten years since, 
these ranchos carried some 13,950 head of 
sheep, 3,860 cattle and 879 horses, grazing 
then being the chief interest. 

The town of Santa Maria is about twelve 
miles from the coast, twenty-nine from San 
Luis Obispo, and eighty-four from Sauta 
Barbara. It was first settled in 1867, by 
Mr. B. Wiley, who, after investigation of the 
title, located a quarter-section each for him- 
self and three other gentlemen, who were 
followed during the next two years by some 
half-dozen others. The first well was due: 
by Mr. Wiley; it was twenty-four feet deep 
and curbless, but it lasted for some four 
years. The first house in the valley was 
built by Mr. Prell. The first birth was that 
of Thomas Miller, May 17, 1869. The first 
funeral was that of Mr. Bosenburg, who 
accidentally shot himself in the summer 
of 1869. 

The first settlers put in large fields of 
grain. There was much trouble and threat- 
ened violence over the actions of the specu- 
lators with school-land warrants, who lo- 



8ANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



113 



cated over the claims of actual settlers that 
had made valuable improvements. 

Tha winters of 1869-'70 and 1870-'71 
were very un prosperous, owing to drouths, 
to damage done by occasional heavy storms, 
and by grasshoppers. The year 1871 
marked the beginning of fruit-raising here. 
The settlement, notwithstanding all oppos- 
ing elements, waxed so strong and populous 
that the town of Central City (now Santa 
Maria) was laid out in 1875. The first hotel 
was built this year, and several shops, etc., 
opened. 

In 1877 was organized a Union Sunday- 
school, and in 1878 the Methodist Episcopal 
church was built. The first public school was 
opened in 1881, the church building being 
used for a time. In September the town 
issued bonds for a two-story school-house, 
worth $1,000, and within one year there 
were eighty pupils enrolled. In 1882 was 
started the Santa Maria Times, independent 
in politics and devoted to local matters. 

The present population of the town is 
about 1,000, while the surrounding country 
is thickly settled. The voting precinct con- 
tains some 1,500. The town is neatly laid out 
in squares, the principal streets, 100 feet wide, 
running east and west, crossed at right angles 
by subordinate ones, eigh ty and sixty feet wide. 
Some of these streets are planted with shade 
trees, and the approaches to the town are all 
beautiful drives. The streets are crowned 
and graveled, some having concrete, and some 
plank walks, and they are kept sprinkled. 
The chief business thoroughfare is Main 
street, 120 feet wide, in which are many sub- 
stantial business buildings. The town covers 
an area three-quarters of a mile square. The 
water is partly supplied from wells, and in 
part by two water companies, the water being 
forced by steam-power pumps to large reser- 
voirs, at about fifty feet altitude, whence it is 



piped for distribution. There are in the town 
three good assembly halls, a Presbyterian, a 
Christian and a Methodist Church, a free 
public library and a fine $12,000 brick school- 
house, with four teachers in as many depart- 
ments. Fraternal societies are represented 
by organizations of Masons, Odd Fellows, 
Good Templars, Knights of Pythias, Chosen 
Friends, Native Sons, Grand Army and 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 
There is a fine band, " The Fairlawn," of 
twelve pieces. 

In September, 1883, Santa Maria suffered 
from a severe fire, consuming several business 
houses, at a loss of $5,000, of which $2,000 
was covered by insurance. Again, in June, 
1884, another fire here destroyed $29,650 
worth of property. 

There are in Santa Maria two practicing 
physicians, two attorneys, one dentist, two 
drug stores, three general merchandise houses, 
one grocery, one hardware store, one jeweler 
one stationer, one saddle and harness shop, 
one shoe store, two bakeries, three confection- 
ery and fruit stores, five real-estate offices, 
one butcher shop, four blacksmith shops, two 
barbers, four painters, one fine patent- roller 
flour-mill, with a daily capacity of about fifty 
barrels, one lumber yard, two furniture stores, 
one bank, one newspaper, — the Santa Maria 
Times, — four millinery stores, two tinshops 
one photograph gallery, one merchant tailor, 
one toy and notion store, one steam barley- 
crushing mill, three large hotels, four restau- 
rants, one large lodging-house, five saloons 
and three livery stables. There are two large 
nurseries, that of T. A. Garey having some 
300,000 trees, while another nursery has sold 
40,000 to 50,000 trees this year. Still another 
has 50,000 trees. "Within half a mile of the 
center of the settlement, there is a half-mile 
race track, and a prettily planned park of ten 
acres. 



114 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



This town is the distributing point for an 
area reaching fifty miles to the eastward, 
twenty toward the south, ten to the north, 
and westward to the coast line; also for the 
mines, seventy-five miles distant. 

A through line of railway is greatly needed, 
and the people are anxiously looking forward 
to the completion of the Southern Pacific 
Coast Line. 

The main industries of this valley are: 
dairying and stock-raising in the hills and 
lands toward the coast and about the Gauda 
lupe region; wheat, barley, oats and corn in 
the central and upper parts of the valley and 
the mesas; beans and potatoes from the line 
of the railroad westward; eastward from the 
railway fruit-raising is rapidly becoming an 
important industry, apricots, prunes, and 
Bartlett pears being the varieties mostly cul- 
tivated. At the western end of the valley, 
the potato, bean, and summer crops are 
steadily encroaching on the dairy tracts. The 
upper valley and surrounding hills will be 
largely planted to fruit. Citrus fruits will 
grow well in the more sheltered valleys and 
canons. In 1880 the average yield of wheat 
on valley lands was twenty centals (33^ 
bushels) per acre; on mesa land, 17 centals or 
28^ bushels; the average yield of barley was, 
on valley land, -25 centals, or 41-| bushels; 
mesa land, 20 centals, or 33J bushels. The 
whole wheat and barley crops amounted to 
about 625,000 centals in this valley in 1880? 
this being rather above the average yearly 
yield. 

As special illustrations of the products, it 
may be mentioned that Mr. Isaac Miller has 
twenty -five acres of apricots, five years old 
and fifteen acres of French prunes, four years 
old, with 108 trees to the acre. In 1889 he 
sold thirteen tons of dried apricots, at $200 
per ton. This year the trees were loaded 
almost to breaking, and the crop of prunes 



brought $3,000, while the apricots, sold at 16 
cents per pound, produced $7,000. 

The prunes yield very largely, and, dried 
with their pits in, bring 5 cents per pound. 

The district of La Graciosa, otherwise 
known as Fruit Yale, eight miles south of 
Santa Maria, being composed of rolling hills 
and small valleys, has mostly been converted 
into orchards. Here are planted hundreds 
upon hundreds of acres of peach, plum, nec- 
tarine, walnut, and orange trees, — in short, 
almost all known fruits. Here may be seen 
walnut trees ten feet high, two years old. 

The Guadalupe Pancho of 30,408.03 acres, 
was granted by the Mexicau government to 
Diego Olivera and Teodoro Arellanes, March 
21, 1840. The claim was confirmed in 1857, 
and in 1870 a patent was issued for 43,680.85 
acres. It has a coast line of ten miles, and 
extends eight miles back from the coast. 
The first farming here was done in a small 
way in 1867, by John B. Ward, who married 
a daughter of Estudillo, then owner of the 
rancho. He built a road from Point Sal to 
the rancho, nine miles distant, in considera- 
tion of a tract of land at the former place, 
voted him by Congress, for the construction 
of a road from Point Sal to Fort Tejon. As 
there was already a natural route between 
Fort Tejon and Guadalupe, Ward claimed 
the land and secured a patent for it, at the 
time when the Point Sal landing was first 
built. In 1872 was founded the town of 
Guadalupe, situated in the extreme north- 
western corner of this county, about seven 
miles from the coast, ninety-five miles from 
Santa Barbara, and twelve miles from Los 
Alamos. The climate here is cool, bracing 
and healthy. This little town made consider- 
able growth up to 1882, when the building 
of the Pacific Coast Railway stimulated the 
development of Santa Maria, at the expense 
of Guadalupe, which thereafter lost ground 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



115 



markedly. The present population is about 
300. 

The soil around Guadalupe is mostly a deep 
black adobe, which yields large returns. 
Wheat succeeds only on the extreme upper 
end of the tract. Barley has produced 100 
bushels to the acre, and beans yield a more 
prolific crop even. Corn is an unreliable fac- 
tor. Vegetables, including pumpkins and 
potatoes, score a marked success, but melons 
are a failure. The air here is too bleak for 
fruit-raising, and orchards fail unless pro- 
tected by wind breaks, usually of cypress or 
eucalyptus. Stock-raising is a great indus- 
try, owing to the excellent watering and the 
freedom from noxious weeds or plants, en- 
joyed by the pasturage of this rancho. There- 
fore it is regarded as one of the best dairy 
ranges in California, and occupied largely by 
Swiss dairyman, who milk a vast number of 
cows, their products selling at an advance of 
one or two cents a pound on the prices of 
butter from the upper coast; several tons are 
shipped thence weekly. Good water is found 
here within two to sixteen feet of the surface, 
and artesian wells 110 feet deep yield as much 
as ten gallons per minute. 

The Rancho Punta de la Laguna lies im- 
diately eastward of the Guadalupe, further up 
the Santa Maria Valley, being an irregular 
strip of territory, ten miles by seven miles in 
extent. It was granted to Luis Arellanes 
and E. M. Ortega, December 24, 1844, when 
it contained 26,048.42 acres, extending a lit- 
tle way into San Luis Obispo County. Like 
the rest of the valley it was once a great 
grazing region. The soil is mostly a sandy 
loam, on which the cereals and all kinds of 
vegetables grow to perfection. The best of 
water is procured from wells twenty to sixty 
feet deep. 

The Rancho Tepusquet was carved out of 
Government land surrounding it on all sides 



but the southeast, where it joins the Sisquoc. 
It contains 8,900 acres under United States 
patent, lying in the upper part of the Santa 
Maria Valley. It consists of low, rolling 
hills, the approaches to the lofty Sierra de 
San Rafael lying to the eastward. While the 
cereals are cultivated to some extent, stock- 
raising is the principal industry. The sur- 
face is rugged, and there is a stream affording 
ample water-power for manufacturing enter- 
prises. Once the property of the Foxen 
Brothers this rancho now belongs to the 
Ontiveras family. 

The Rancho Sisquoc lies at the very head 
of the Santa Maria Valley, extending back 
into the hills eight or ten miles. It com- 
prises 35,485.90 acres of land, mostly rolling 
country. The cereals are produced, but stock- 
raising is the chief interest. This property 
belongs to the Stone estate. 

The Rancho Tinaquaic is nearly rectangu- 
lar in shape, measuring three by five miles, 
lying at the head of the Santa Maria Valley, 
it contains appropriately two leagues of land. 
It is traversed by the main county road. This 
rancho, which is now the property of the 
Foxen heirs, was originally granted to Victor 
Linares, May 6, 1837, and confirmed to Will- 
iam D. Foxen, the title calling for 8,874.60 
acres. Its surface is hilly, but large tracts 
are sown to grain yearly, although stock- 
raising is by no means superseded. 

The Rancho Cuyama, now belonging to 
Haggin & Perkins, and to Caspar Orefia, was 
granted to Jose Maria Rojo, April 24, 1843, 
and confirmed to Maria Antonio de la Guer- 
ra and Cesario Lataillade, whose heir is Mr. 
Orefia. Its acreage, as by the United States 
patent, was 71,620.75 acres. In the spring 
of 1881 it was estimated to support 3,000 
cattle. The Cuyama River, the northern 
boundary of the county, cuts this rancho into 
two nearly equal portions. Thus, lying in 



116 



SANTA BARBARA GOUNTY. 



the extreme northern portion of the county, 
aud separated from the rest thereof by the 
hio-h Sierra de San Rafael, this isolation is 
so complete that even the returns of the elec- 
tions are received from this district more tar- 
dily than from any other in the county. The 
only industry here is stock-raising. 



THE LOST WOMAN. 



The purpose of a historical sketch like the 
present would fall short without an account 
of " the Lost Woman of San Nicolas," apper- 
taining as it does to the history of both Santa 
Barbara and Ventura counties. 

This story has often been told, too fre- 
quently with embellishments and exaggera- 
tions which only serve to diminish the force 
of the simple facts, which certainly are suffi- 
ciently romantic, dramatic, and even tragic. 
The Alaskan Indians were in the habit of 
making to the channel islands periodical 
visits, to secure otter and other pelts, making 
iierce war upon other hunters who should 
seek to follow the same field. Supplied as 
they were with fire-arms, they were savage 
and powerful, dangerous even to the whites, 
and far more so to the natives, armed only 
with stone weapons. 

Of the island of San Nicolas a party of 
these Indians took possession, and slew every 
male of the thick population upon it, keeping 
possession of the women. When the otter- 
hunting season was over, the Alaskans de- 
parted, leaving these women to what fate 
might befall them. About the middle of the 
year 1835 the padres made arrangements for 
the succor and removal of the surviving 
women, by Isaac J. Sparks and Lewis T. Bur- 
ton, American otter hunters, settled at Santa 
Barbara, who had chartered the schooner 
Peor es Nada ("Worse is Nothing") for the 
purposes of their calling. With a crew com- 
posed mainly of Kanakas, they sailed to San 



Nicolas, and assembled the Indians upon the 
beach, ready for embarking. One of the 
women then signified by signs that her child 
had been left behind, and she was allowed to 
go to fetch it. She delayed some time, and 
meanwhile a strong wind sprang up. The 
water about the island is quite shoal, and be- 
comes very rough in a storm, and there is no 
sheltering harbor, so that the schooner dared 
not tarry, but ran before the wind, leaving 
the woman behind. The vessel arrived safely 
at San Pedro, where the Indians were landed, 
some being taken to Los Angeles and some 
to the Mission of San Gabriel. The captain 
of the vessel designed to return to the island 
as soon as possible to fetch away the woman. 
But, being ordered to San Francisco, she cap- 
sized there, and, there being now no craft 
large enough to attempt the passage of the 
channel, no attempt was made to rescue the 
woman, and after some years it was generally 
believed that she must have perished. 

In 1851 John Nidever, with a man named 
Tom Jeffries and a crew of Indians, had oc- 
casion to visit San Nicolas. Landing on the 
lower end of the island they shortly found 
on the bank near the beach the footprints of 
a human being, probably made during the 
preceding rainy season, as they were deeply 
impressed in the ground, now very hard and 
dry. The size of the tracks indicated they 
were made by a woman. After walking some 
distance, the men discovered on rising ground 
about 200 yards back from the beach three 
structures of human creation. Standing about 
a mile apart, these enclosures were circular in 
shape, six or seven feet in diameter, with 
brush-built walls, five or six feet from the 
ground, on stakes of driftwood stuck into the 
earth, pieces of dried blubber, apparently 
placed there a month or two before, and in 
good condition. Other than the meat there 
was no sign of recent occupation of the 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



117 



enclosures. A wind came on, which in 
creased to a gale shortly after the men had 
regained their vessel, and as soon as practi- 
cable, which was not for eight days, they 
left the vicinity of the island. 

In the winter of 1852, ISTidever, accom- 
panied by Charles Brown and a crew of 
Indians, made a second visit to the island, 
in quest of otter, of which he had seen 
great numbers on his former visit. Land- 
ing at the old place, they walked toward 
the head of the island, where the woman, 
if still alive, was likely to be found, as fish 
and seal are more plentiful, and water better 
and more abundant in that quarter. The 
huts were seen as before, the old blubber 
seeming to have been replaced by fresher. 
About half a mile from the head of the island 
and extending across it, was a flat, low and 
sandy ; and here, thought the men, the woman 
must be living, as the ground to the north 
and eastward was high and windswept. 
After searching for some time, without finding 
a trace of the woman, the men decided that 
she must have been devoured by wild dogs' 
of which they had seen a number, resem- 
bling the coyotes, but black and white in 
color. When just about to return, Nidever 
noticed in the crotch of a small tree a bas- 
ket, covered over with sealskin, which, on 
being examined, proved to contain a care- 
fully-folded dress made of the skins of shags, 
cut in square pieces and sewn together; a 
rope made of sinews, and divers small ar- 
ticles such as needles made of bone, abelone, 
fish-hooks, etc. Brown compassionately pro- 
posed to replace the basket where they had 
found it, but Nidever shrewdly preferred 
to scatter the articles about the spot, as 
their replacement on a future visit would 
prove the woman's existence and presence 
there. Accordingly this was done, and the 
men returned to their schooner. For some 



days they were busy hunting, and then a 
gale forced them to make off without re- 
newing the search. 

In July, 1853, Nidever once more re- 
turned to San Nicolas with Brown and four 
Mission Indians, this time with the inten- 
tion of making a thorough search for the 
missing woman. After selecting a camp, 
they followed the shore to the head of the 
island, which Brown rounded; and some dis- 
tance down the other side he found fresh 
tracks of the woman, which he followed up 
from the beach and over the bank, losing 
them on the lidge where the ground was 
covered with moss. The following day, 
going to the sandy fiat before mentioned, 
they organized a regular search, for some 
time without results. Brown followed the 
track he had found the previous evening, un- 
til he found a piece of driftwood, apparently 
dropped by the woman; and farther along the 
ridge he discovered three huts, made of brush, 
disposed over the ribs of a whale, set in the 
earth. These tenements were, however, open 
on all sides, and tall grass grew within them, 
proving the long time that had elapsed since 
their occupation. Ascending to one of the 
highest parts of the ridge he gazed about on 
all sides. Most of the searchers were in sight, 
and far away he could see moving a small 
black object which he at first took to be a 
crow. On walking toward it, he discovered 
that this was the Indian woman, whose head 
and shoulders just appeared above the rim of 
an enclosure like those already described. 
Close to her were two or three dogs 
like those the men had seen already. They 
growled at Brown's approach, whereupon 
the woman uttered a sort of yell, and 
they slunk out of sight. The woman was 
sitting cross-legged on some grass within the 
enclosure, which doubtless served her for a 
bed. She wore a sort of gown, made of shag- 



118 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



skins cut in squares and sewed together, with 
the feathers pointing downward. The gar- 
ment left her neck and shoulders bare, reach - 
ing'to her ankles. Her hair was thickly matted 
upon her head, being yellowish-brown in color, 
probably from exposure to the weather The 
ends seemed to have rotted off. She was en- 
gaged in stripping the blubber from a piece 
of sealskin held across her knee, using a knife 
rudely fashioned from a piece of iron hoop. 
A fire was smouldering within the enclosure, 
and close by was a large heap of bones, which 
would denote that for a long time this had 
been her domicile. 

The woman appeared much interested in 
the movements of the men who were scour- 
ing the flat below; every now and then she 
would shade her eyes with her hand and 
direct a loi..g and steady gaze upon them. 
And all the while, from the time Brown first 
came within hearing distance, she kept up a 
continual talking to herself. 

As the men drew near, Brown motioned 
to them to spread out in such shape as to 
surronnd her and intercept her, should she 
attempt to escape; then, just before the 
others reached her little camp, Brown, whom 
she had not yet seen, stepped around in front 
and in sight of her. To his great surprise, 
instead of exhibiting signs of fear or distrust, 
she received him with an air of welcome, 
bowing and smiling with mingled cordial 
politeness and dignity. Her self-possession 
and ease was considered by her discoverers 
remarkable. As each man came up he was 
greeted in the same manner, and she con- 
tinued to talk unceasingly. But althongh 
the Indians of the schooner's crew could 
muster several native dialects, not a word of 
her speech understood they. 

When the men were all seated upon the 
ground around her, she took from a grass- 
woven bao; some of the bulbous roots called 



by the Californians cacomites, and another 
species of root, and having first roasted them 
upon the fire, she offered them to the men, 
who found them very palatable. 

Wishing to convey her on board the 
schooner, the men tried to inform her by 
signs of their intentions; but while she 
seemed pleased with their company, and 
gave no reason to apprehend that she would 
try to escape, she seemed to not comprehend 
their intentions until they signified that she 
must gather up all her food stores. Then, 
indeed, she obeyed with the greatest alacrity, 
and seemed anxious to preserve everything 
capable of sustaining life, thus pathetically 
demonstrating the sharp experiences she had 
undoubtedly undergone during her eighteen 
years of solitude. Carefully she collected 
and placed in a large cora, or basket, such 
as was generally used by the Indians of this 
coast, the considerable quantity she possessed 
of the dried blubber of the seal and sea ele- 
phant. She even insisted upon carrying away 
a seal's head so decayed that the brains were 
oozing from it; and when all else was ready 
she took a burning stick from the camp-fire. 
The men distributed her effects for carriage, 
and all set forth toward the vessel. She 
trotted along at a good pace, and presently 
led them to a spring of good water which 
issued from beneath a shelving rock near the 
beach. Here were more pieces of dried 
blubber, hung on stakes beyond reach of the 
dogs and foxes; and here, too, further pathetic 
evidence of the privations she had suffered, 
in the shape of bones stored away in the 
crevices of the rocks. It was clear that when 
food was scarce, her resource was to come 
hither and suck the scanty nutriment remain- 
ing in these bones! All these matters were 
respected and preserved by the men, who 
thus gained the poor, deserted creature's con- 
fidence. Near the landing was another spring 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



119 



which the woman would seem to have used 
for bathing, as she stopped to wasli her face 
and hands in it 

She readily obeyed the signaled instruction 
to step into the boat, in whose bow she 
kneeled, holding to the sides; and on reach- 
ing the vessel she hovered in the vicinity of 
the stove, another indication of the hardships 
she had suffered on the island. From the 
first she preferred to her own the food given 
her by her rescuers. 

Brown immediately contrived for her a 
petticoat of bed- ticking, which, with a man's 
shirt and necktie, composed a new wardrobe, 
of which she was very proud, continually 
calling to it the attention of her companions. 
While Brown was engaged upon her skirt 
she made signs that she wished to sew also; 
and being given a needle and thread, she 
could not understand, until she was taught, 
how the needle was threaded; but she used 
the needle deftly, mending with infinite 
patience the many rents in an old cape, very 
torn and tattered, which one of the men be- 
stowed upon her, and which she repaired into 
a garment quite serviceable in cold, rough 
weather. In sewing, she thrust the needle 
into the cloth with her right band, pulling 
it through, and drawing the thread tight 
with her left hand. 

The men on the next day moved ashore, 
where they remained for about a month, 
otter-hunting. They constructed for the wo- 
man, at a short distance from their camp, a 
shelter similar to their own; and here she 
remained very well contented, evincing no 
disposition to leave them, but assisting in 
the work of the camp, bringing wood and 
water at need, and wandering about the 
island, talking and singing. 

When the woman was found, she had in 
construction several vessels for carrying water, 
they being really unique. They were woven 



of grass, in shape somewhat like a demijohn, 
although wider in the mouth, and lined with 
a thin coating of asphaltum, which she ap- 
plied with some ingenuity. Putting into the 
basket several pieces of the asphaltum, which 
was found along the beach in great quanti- 
ties, she threw upon them some heated peb- 
bles, and when these had melted the asphalt- 
um, she would distribute it evenly over the 
inside by giving the basket a rotary motion, 
throwing out the surplus and the pebbles. 
These baskets were water-tight, and very en- 
during. She worked upon them fitfully, a 
few minutes at a time, putting one aside to 
take up another. 

One rather touching trait of her character 
is illustrated by the following occurrence. 
The men one day killed a large female otter 
which was with young, and when they were 
about to throw it into the sea, as they usually 
did the bodies after skinning, the woman, in 
her mute way, protested. She took out the 
young otter, which was nearly to be born and 
covered with fur, and when it had been 
stuffed it looked quite natural. Of this little 
creature the woman made a sort of doll, sus- 
pending it from the roof of her shelter, where 
for hours she would swing it, all the while 
talking to it in a kind of sing-song. 

After about a month's successful hunt, 
Nidever's party embarked for Santa Barbara. 
Not long after they sailed there arose a 
furious gale, which threatened to engulf the 
little vessel. Then the woman made sijrns 
that she could calm the wind, and, kneelino- 

o 

down with her face toward the quarter whence 
it blew, she commenced to make prayers or 
incantations, which continued a long time, 
and were renewed at intervals during the 
storm When the wind abated and patches 
of clear sky appeared, she pointed in triumph 
to these tokens of good weather, as who 
should say, "See what I accomplished!" 



120 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



The shore was neared early one morning, 
and it was evident that the woman had never 
seen this nor any of the ordinary appearances 
and sights of a settlement. It was hard to 
tell whether pleasure or wonder predominated 
in her when there passed on the sands a 
Spanish cart, drawn by an ox team. Every 
feature of it was delightful to her, and she 
imitated with curious gestures the rotary 
motion of the clumsy wheels, talking, laugh- 
ing and gesticulating, all at the same time. 
When landing had been made, she was much 
taken up with a horseman who came to the 
beach, and her courage was shown by her 
readiness to touch this great unknown, and 
to her doubtless fearful, creature. After 
touching both horse and man, she turned to 
her captors, and proved that she grasped the 
situation by straddling over her left thumb 
the first two fingers of her right hand, while 
she moved her hand to imitate the galloping 
of a horse, shouting the while with delight. 

The woman was taken to Nidever's house, 
where his wife cared for her; and soon the 
news spread that the lost woman of San 
Nicolas Island was found. Her case had ex- 
cited great interest among the warm-hearted 
people of the region, who had discussed in 
the safety of their homes for many a year the 
possibilities of her still surviving on that 
desert sea-girt isle, with wild beasts for her 
only companions. And as the years went 
by, it was generally believed that she must 
surely be dead, devoured, in all likelihood, 
by the wild dogs. The padres of the mission 
had interested themselves for her, and had 
offered a reward of $200 for information that 
should lead to her recovery. 

And now the lost was found, and was here 
within the limits of civilization. Hundreds 
nocked to Nidever's house to see her. Among 
others came the Fathers, Sanchez, Jimeno 
and Gonzalez, the latter of whom in particular 



had earnestly insisted upon the probabilities of 
her survival. But none could communicate 
with her, save by the imperfect sign language, 
although the padres knew all the dialects of 
the coast. From Santa Ynes, from Los 
Angeles, and from other places Indians were 
brought to see her, but they too found not 
one word in common with her. Every one 
showed her the greatest kindness. Nearly 
every one would give her a present of money, 
of clothing, or of trinkets, all of which she 
would at once give to her friends, or to the 
children who visited her. The Panama 
steamers were touching at Santa Barbara in 
those days, and the passengers were always 
eager to see this poor savage heroine. She 
would often put on her best dross of feathers, 
and for their gratification perform move- 
ments which might be called dancing. She 
soon became very expert in conversing by 
signs, and thus related the history of her 
adventures, relating that when she went back 
after the child, she wandered a long time 
without finding it; that when she concluded 
that the dogs had eaten the child, she lay 
down and cried for so long a time that she 
sickened, could not eat, and became too weak 
to walk; then, recovering somewhat, she 
began to walk about and to eat. Often she 
had seen vessels upon the sea, but none ever 
came near to take her away, so that in time 
she became reconciled to her fate, and her 
monotonous life of hunger, cold and the fear 
of wild animals. She was supposed to have 
been about fifty years old at the time of her 
rescue. Her face was smooth, although the 
skin on her body and limbs was badly 
wrinkled. It was gathered from her signs 
that at the time when she was left on the 
island she had two children, one a nursing 
babe, the other some years older. 

The woman was much attached to the 
family of Mr. Nidever, who in turn were 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



121 



fond of her. Mr. ISTidever repeatedly refused 
large sums which were offered him as an 
inducement to her public exhibition in San 
Francisco. It was only a short time before 
her death that her protectors succeeded in 
making her understand their wish to learn 
some words of her language, and the follow- 
ing comprise about all the terms they 
gathered from her: a hide, '"tocah;" man, 
"nache;" the sky, " toy gwah;" the body, 
" puoo-chay." 

With regard to practical matters, she was 
like a child, and childish was her want of 
control over her appetite. Being excessively 
fond of fruit, she would eat it at all hazards, 
and this self in diligence produced a dysentery 
which terminated fatally, in spite of careful 
attendance and nursing. During her illness, 
it was thought that she might be relieved by 
a diet of seal's flesh, to which she had been 
so long accustomed; and accordingly some 
was procured and roasted for her. But she 
laughed and shook her head over it, passing 
her finger over her worn-out teeth, to indicate 
that they were too old and spent for such 
use. It was about four months after her 
rescue that she died. She was buried by the 
padres. Most of her trinkets, including the 
finer of her feather dresses, were sent to Rome. 

It may be wondered that the woman should 
have been left so long for want of a boat to 
fetch her from the island; but it must be 
remembered that when the Boston ship 
Monsoon visited Santa Barbara in 1839, the 
captain of the port had no boat in which to 
make his official visit. Chagrined by the 
situation, he petitioned for a boat, which the 
government accordingly provided for him. 

RESOURCES. 
The resources of Santa Barbara county 
have been pretty thoroughly indicated in 
connection with the respective sections, save 



in the directions set forth hereafter, as fol- 
lows: 

HOGS. 

With reference to hog-raising in this 
county, an estimate of the possibilities may 
be formed from the following extract from a 
paper by Mr. L. Babcock: "Hogs can be 
raised here with little trouble after you are 
prepared, as we do not have any or but few 
storms duriug each year, and no fatal diseases 
such as cholera. Neither have we any tri- 
chinae in the bacons on this coast. On 
May 19, 1881, I purchased 120 acres of land 
in the Lompoc Valley, all fenced and im- 
proved ready to go into the business of rais- 
ing and preparing hogs for the market. I 
also bought 600 head of hogs, big and little, 
and the growing crop, at a cost of $13,066. 
I raised grain on 100 acres of the ranch. 
On the last of August, 1881, sold to Sherman 
& Ealand, of Santa Barbara, 302 head of 
hogs. They received them on the ranch and 
paid me $1,962.50. In September, 1882, I 
shipped to San Francisco 323 head of hogs 
off the same ranch, and sold them for $3,- 
801.26, and after deducting all expenses of 
driving, shipping, commission, etc., I got a 
net return of $3,282.63. And I have 100 or 
more still on the ranch." 

BEE-FAKMING. 

In 1860 or '61, a party named Miner — he 
who built the first frame house in Santa Bar- 
bara — imported eight or ten swarms of bees, 
which sold readily for $50 per swarm. In 
December, 1873, Mr. Jefferson Archer 
brought hither some forty-five stands of bees, 
and went into apiculture exclusively. The 
industry increased to such an extent that at 
the close of the season of 1880 there were in 
the county about 3,300 stands of bees, yield- 
ing a product of over 128 tons or 256,000 
pounds of extracted honey. 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



While that portion of this county adapted 
to profitable honey-raising is small, com- 
pared with the territory devoted to this in- 
dustry in some other counties, the quality of 
honey produced is unexcelled. The honey- 
producing plants are abundant; the mountain 
redwood, sumac, grease-wood, coffee berry 
and the various sages, all in their respective 
seasons, supply the raw material to the hum- 
ming, busy workers. This is an enterprise 
yielding large returns from limited capital; 
it is by no means uncommon to derive a 
profit of over 400 per cent, from single 
swarms, and almost as high a figure has been 
realized from an entire apiary. With a fair 
season, a good swarm will yield 150 to 250 
pounds of extracted honey in a season, besides 
its increase of one or two swarms in a season, 
the increase not seldom reaching to five and 
even ten swarms in one season. One apiary 
of 400 stands in the county produced during 
the season of 1884 no less than 730,000 
pounds of pure strained honey and 2,000 
pounds of beeswax. Apiculture suffers oc- 
casional drawbacks; an insufficient rainfall 
lessens or cuts off altogether the honey yield, 
and a general drouth affects bees as it does 
cattle and other stock. 



FISHERY. 



Santa Barbara Channel and its adjacent 
waters are especially rich in good fishes. The 
ocean temperature here is particularly mild 
and equable, never falling below 60° nor rising 
above 66° F., thus resembling the Mediter- 
ranean, which produces many of the finest 
market fish in the world. 

This temperature, the calmness of the 
waters, and the quantity of marine vegetation 
nourished therein, make these parts the 
natural home of the finest tribes. 

In 1881 David S. Jordan and Charles H. 
Gilbert were sent by the United States Gov- 



ernment to the Pacific coast to investigate 
the fish interests of this section. They found 
Santa Barbara Channel one of the richest 
points on the coast, and the results of their 
investigation surprised even those best ac- 
quainted with the wealth of these waters. 
In their report the following fishes are men- 
tioned as abundant in this locality: 

Herring: chupea mirablis. Runs during 
the winter. Is like the Atlantic herring in 
size and general character. Is marketed, 
dried and salted. 

Sardine: Clupea sagax. Two species — the 
larger u American " sardine, sometimes reach- 
ing a length of nine inches, and a smaller 
species, exactly the same as that of the 
Mediterranean. 

Barracuda: Sphyrsena argentae. The fa- 
vorite fish of this part of the coast. Runs 
four or five months during the summer. 
Averages under ten pounds' weight. When 
dried, is an excellent substitute for codfish. 

Albacore : Orcynus alalonga. Average 
weight, twelve to fifteen pounds. Very good 
food fish. 

Spanish mackerel: Sarda chilensis. Aver- 
age weight eight to ten pounds. Used for 
the most part dried and salted. 

Pompano: Stromaticus simillimus. Aver- 
ages one-half pound weight; length eight 
inches. Scarce in winter 

Yellow-tail or white salmon: Seriola la- 
landi. Weight forty to fifty pounds. Length 
four to five feet. 

Smelt: Atherinops affinis. About one'foot 
in length. 

Flying fish: Exocoetus californicus. Length 
about fifteen inches; weight about one and 
one-half pounds. Excellent food, Appear 
toward .the middle of summer. 

Mullet: Mugil albula. Fifteen inches long. 
Flesh coarse, but good food when taken in 
clear water. 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



123 



Rook cod: Sen-anus maculofasciatus. Fif- 
teen inches long; weighs two to three pounds. 

Kelp salmon: Serranus clathratns. Eight- 
een inches long; weight five pounds. 

White sea bass : Alroctoscium nubile. 
Length about four feet; weight under fifty 
pounds. 

White-fish: Dekaya princeps. Length two 
feet; weight ten to fourteen pounds. When 
6alted is excellent. 

Conger eel: Mursena inordax. Length 
about five feet; weight fifteen to twenty 
pounds. Flesh very fat. Excellent food. 

The local market for fish is not large, and 
a very few fishermen supply the local needs 
and such small exportations as have been 
made. But the fish interest could be made a 
source of important revenue by the develop- 
ment of some practical plan for exportation, 
for which purpose a number of the species 
named above are eminently suitable. The 
white-fish, the barracuda, and the herring are 
particularly adapted for preparation and ship- 
ment, and it must be noted, too, that the 
herring is here brought into natural contact 
with his regular post-mortem element, olive 
oil. Thus a sardine cannery hereabouts 
would seem to be an inevitable outgrowth of 
these natural provisions. 

MINERALS. 

(From the State Mineralogical Report,) 

Ou the San Marcos Rancho there is said to be a lode 
that assays well in both gold and silver. Gold-bear- 
ing rock has also been found on the Buel Rancho, 
near Los Alamos. Placer claims have been worked 
at Pine Mountain, also at the headwaters of Zaca 
Creek, and at several places in the San Rafael Moun- 
tains. A very few colors of gold are occasionally 
found in the creeks running from the Santa Ynes 
Range. Gold-washing has also been carried on upon 
the seashore; the most successful operations were at 
Point Sal, in the northwestern corner of ihe county. 
Point Sal is situated upon the southern bank of the 
Santa Maria River. Gold-washing has been intermit- 
tently carried on here by the Point Sal Mining Com- 



pany. The gold is found in streaks of black sand 
from three to four feet below the surface of the beach. 
They run from one inch to two feet in thickness, 
usually being about one foot, and from thirty to forty 
feet in length. The bank of the beach runs north and 
south, the streaks of sand east and west toward the 
ocean. Beneath the black sand is blue clay in some 
places, and sandstone in others. The richest deposits 
are found on the sandstone where it is worn into 
ridges, being favorable to the concentration of the 
gold. The sand is run into a hopper, where a stream 
of water carries it over amalgamated plates. About 
twenty-five tons of this sand yielded $137. 

On the Jonita Rancho, near Los Alamos, rock con- 
taining gold and silver has been found. This at last 
induced William Buel to explore the formation of his 
rancho by running a tunnel over 400 feet. This tun- 
nel, which is situated a little over 1,000 feet above the 
level of the sea, is run in a southwesterly direction 
through a sedimentary formation, which dips to the 
sea at an angle of about 45° * * * Here and 
there throughout the tunnel are a few seams and 
pockets of clayey matter, which are said to show a 
few colors of gold. * * * The tunnel does not ap- 
pear to be following any vein. 

Copper is said to exist in paying quantities on the 
southern bank of the Santa Cruz River, where it was 
worked by the old padres; also at several places in 
the San Rafael Mountains. 

Quicksilver is said to exist at Los Prietos, nine 
miles north of Santa Barbara, on the upper waters of 
the Santa Ynes River, in considerable quantities. It 
is claimed that ? great deal of the ore will average 
from two to three per cent. The Eagle Quicksilver 
mine was also worked in 1867, by Captain Samuel 
Stanton, on the Cuchama River, in the San Rafael 
Mountains. 

Float rock containing galena is said to be found at 
the mouth of Dry Creek Canon, on the Buel Rancho, 
near Los Alamos; also on the Spinnocia Rancho, 
about twelve miles east of Santa Ynes, in the San 
Rafael Mountains. 

Manganese occurs in the San Rafael Mountains, 
about seven miles north of the town of Santa Ynes. 

Coal has been found at several places in Santa Bar- 
bara County, notably in the Loma Paloma, head of 
Santa Ynes Creek, Montecito Hot Springs and at the 
Mission. 

Limestone is widely distributed in the county, but 
as yet has been burned only for local use. It is found 
upon Moore's Rancho, a few miles west of Santa Bar- 
bara. Immediately north of Mr. Moore's house, dis- 
tant about two miles from the seashore, are the foot- 
hills of the Santa Ynes Range, spurs of which run 
down nearly to the water's edge; these are composed 



124 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



of sandstone, varying from coarse to fine. At one 
point they are traversed by a vein of calcite about 
four feet wide, running nearly east and west. 

The gypsum deposits of Santa Barbara occur upon 
the southern side of Point Sal, and can be reached by 
road either from Guadalupe or Santa Maria. Point 
Sal gypsum mines lie back in the mountains about 
one and one-half miles from Point Sal Landing. They 
occur as a vein having a head.. wall and foot-wall of 
clay slate. There are six openings on this property 
from which gypsum are taken. * * * The finest 
quality of the material is said to be obtained in the 
upper workings. The other openings are of less im- 
portance, and no gypsum at present is taken from 
them. The lower vein can be traced for about two 
miles. This mineral can be mined and placed on 
board the vessels at Point Sal for about $2 per ton. 

There are several mineral springs in this county, 
but few of them have as yet become places of resort. 
At Montecito the water from the springs reaches 117° 
Fahrenheit. On the Santa Ynes Mountains, near 
Santa Barbara, there is another hot spring; also in 
the Santa Marcos Canon, where the water is said to 
reach a temperature of 120° Fahrenheit. In the canon 
and the Cuyama Valley are also springs'. 

There are, so far as known at the present time, 
no oil wells producing anything in Santa Barbara 
County, though several have been sunk there. But 
there are great deposits of asphaltum and other 
bituminous matters at several localities in the county. 
" El Rincon " Creek, some three or four miles east of 
Carpenteria, is, for some little distance near the coast, 
the boundary line between Ventura and Santa Bar- 
bara counties. At Rincon Point, on the shore just 
west of El Rincon Creek, the railway company has 
recently done some heavy grading in the construction 
of their road. Amongst other unalteted rocks here, 
which dip toward the north, they have cut through a 
heavy body of bituminous shales, which contain a 
sufficient quantity of bituminous matter, so that, when 
once ignited they continue to burn for a long time 
like the waste heaps from a coal mine. 

The Rancho of Mr. P. Clark Higgins, mentioned 
as the "Carpenteria bed,'' is only about one mile east 
of the new Carpenteria railway station. The bluffs 
here fronting the sea-beach are fifty to seventy-five 
feet high. The lower portion of them consists of 
tertiary rocks, out of which the petroleum oozes. * 
* * Anywhere within one quarter of a mile or more 
back from the edge of the bluffs it is no uncommon 
occurrence for the plow to turn up bituminous 
matter. * * * 

The outcrop of asphaltum and other bituminous 
matters in the bluffs extends for a distance of three- 
quarters of a mile along the shore and to within halt 



a mile or less of the new railway station at Carpen- 
teria. * * * This bitumen is very dirty, but might 
possibly be used for street pavements. 

On Ortega Hill, about six miles east of Santa Bar- 
bara, and near half way between there and Carpen- 
teria, Mr. H. L. Williams has drilled a well. The 
locality is within 500 or 600 feet of the seashore, and 
250 feet above high tide. Mr. Williams here went 
down 455 feet. * * * The shale is very close, and 
contains neither water nor oil. The sand above was 
free from water. But the oil which it contains makes 
it act like a quicksand, and it rose 100 feet in the 
pipe. * * * In attempting to draw the casing, in 
order to substitute drive pipe for it, the casing parted 
in the upper sand and they could not get the lower 
part of it out, and were therefore obliged to abandon 
the hole. Then they swung the derrick around about 
ten feet, and started another one. 

Just northwest of Ortega Hill, in the Montecito 
Valley, two little creeks join, and just below their 
junction there is a small outcrop of asphaltum in the 
bank. * * * 

At the foot of the hills, on the shore, a quarter of a 
mile east of the well, the rocks are exposed at low 
water, and it looks as if there were an anticlinal fold 
here. There is also some seepage of oil from these 
rocks, and Mr. Williams states that after a slight 
earthquake shock one night, in 1888, a jet of oil "as 
large as a man's arm" spurted out here for a little 
while, but did not last long. Considerable gas also 
escapes from these rocks. Their strike is about east 
and west. Mr. Williams' wells are just about on the 
line of the anticlinal axis in these rocks, while the 
old well at the foot of the hill is on the north 
side of it. 

A little over one mile east of here a low bluff makes 
out a short distance into the sea, and there is also some 
seepage of oil. There are also said to be extensive 
seepages in "Oil Canon " and one other canou in the 
Santa Ynes range of mountains, some three miles in 
an airline northeast from Ortega Hill. 

In 1885 the "Santa Barbara Oil Company" sunk 
two wells some 500 or 600 feet deep in " Oil Canon," 
at a point 1,400 or 1,500 feet above tide. There was 
much gas here. But at last, either by accident or 
malice, the tools were lost in one of the wells, and 
the work was abandoned. * * * 

Moore's Lauding is near the village of Goleta, about 
seven miles west of the city of Santa Barbara. East- 
erly from the landing, for a distance of a mile of so 
along the shore, the bluffs are forty to seventy-five 
feet high, of light gray sandstone, * * in which there 
are enormous quantities of asphaltum, which occur 
in all imaginable forms. There are occasional well- 
defined veins of it, from the thickness of a sheet of 



SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. 



125 



paper up to two or three feet thick, which extend for 
short distances through the heavy-hedded sandstone, 
and then run out completely. Again it occurs in 
heavy masses twenty or thirty feet and more in diam- 
eter. In some places very heavy beds of it run 
nearly parallel with the stratification of the sandstone, 
while on the other hand many of the small veins of it 
cut straight through and across the bedding at all 
angles. Most of it is largely mixed with sand and 
pebbles; but there are large quantities of it which 
look very pure. No liquid oil is visible here, nor any 
soft pitch either, except what is washed up in small 
flakes by the surf on the beach from beneath the 
waters of the sea. 

Something like a mile to the west of the landing 
there is a place in a creek in the salt marsh where a 
good deal of gas bubbles up ; and two or three miles 
farther southwest is Salinas Point, which projects 



some distance into the sea, and about half a mile out- 
side of which is one of the large and famous petro- 
leum springs beneath the ocean. The depth of the 
water where this spring issues was asserted by one 
man to be only about fifty feet, but by another to be 
fifty fathoms. The latter is more probable. About 
eighteen miles off shore here in the channel, and 
some two miles north of the island of Santa Cruz 
there is also said to be another very large oil spring 
under the water. 

Mr. H. C. Hobson, of San Luis Obispo, states that 
there are very large quantities of asphaltum on the 
Sisquoc Rancho, in the northern part of Santa Bar- 
bara County, on one of the upper branches of the 
Santa Maria River. Sisquoc Creek joins the Santa 
Maria River at Fugler's Point, some fifty miles south 
of San Luis Obispo. 



— ss^is 




123 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, 








IN GENERAL. 

OKTGINAL AND DESCRIPTIVE. 

San Luis Obispo was one of the original 
twenty-seven counties created by act of Leg- 
islature, approved February 18, 1850. The 
boundaries of this county, as described by 
section 5 of this act, were as follows: "Be- 
ginning three English miles west of the 
coast at a point due west of the source of the 
Nacimiento River, and running due east to 
the source of said river; thence down the 
middle of said river to its confluence with 
Monterey River; thence up or down, as the 
case may be, the middle of Monterey River 
to the parallel of thirty- six degrees north lat- 
itude; thence due east following said parallel 
to the summit of the Coast Range; thence 
following the summit of said range in a 
southeasterly direction to the northeast corner 
of Santa Barbara County; thence following 
the northern boundary of Santa Barbara 
County to the ocean, and three English miles 
therein; and thence in a northwesterly di- 
rection, parallel with the coast, to the place 
of beginning. The seat of justice shall be at 
San Luis Obispo." 

The area of the county, as originally de- 
fined, contained about 3,250 square miles. 
This territory was but sparsely populated; 



the census for 1850 gave a total population 
of 336. The only occupied sections were 
the large ranchos, where were found but the 
dwellings of the proprietors and their em- 
ployes. The only focus of population was 
at the Mission of San Luis Obispo; this was 
the central point of the district, before the 
creation of the county; here was the seat of 
justice for the surrounding region, and here 
were held elections. But even here there 
was no assemblage of houses beyond the 
mission buildings and a few neighboring 
adobe structures. 

This county has about ninety miles of 
coast, extending along the Pacific Ocean, 
northerly and northwesterly, from opposite 
the mouth of the Santa Maria River to where 
the Sixth Standard South, Monte Diablo Base, 
enters the ocean, or to a point about ten 
miles northwest of the Piedras Blancas. 

Soon after California became a possession 
of the United States, this coast was surveyed 
under the supre vision of Prof. A. L. Bache, 
of the United States Coast Survey, the first 
report on the survey being published in 1852. 
The surveys have been continued under the 
charge of Prof. George Davidson, whose vol- 
ume, published in 1869, entitled " Coast Pi- 
lot of California, Oregon, and Washington,' 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



127 



is the authority for many of the present state- 
ments. 

The coast of this county has a natural di- 
vision into two distinct sections, one of which 
extends from Point Sal, in Santa Barbara 
County on the south, to Point San Luis on 
the north. This division is an indentation 
called San Luis Obispo Bay; north of Point 
Sal the mountains fall back, and the shore is 
formed of sand-hills. The general trend is 
north, until the coast commences sweeping 
westward to form the bay of San Luis Obispo, 
and the shores become high and abrupt. 
From Point Sal to Point San Luis the dis- 
tance is about seventeen miles in a north- 
westerly direction, the beach running 
somewhat east of north for about fifteen 
miles, when it curves to the northwest, west, 
south, and southeast, in a line of ten miles, 
forming San Luis Obispo Bay. 

A few miles north of Point Sal the Santa 
Maria River, emptying into the ocean, forms 
the division line between this and Santa 
Barbara County. A few miles north of this 
is the Oso Flaco, and midway of the beach 
the Arroyo Grande empties, having received 
near its mouth the Pizmo and Arroyo Verde 
creeks. The San Luis Creek enters the 
northern side of the bay. 

The first or lower division of this coast is 
called Pizmo Beach. Landing was formerly 
effected here in fair weather by means of 
small boats, and lines through the surf. As 
increasing agricultural interests demanded 
better facilities, the Pizmo wharf was here 
constructed in 1881, extending through the 
surf to deep water, opposite the Pizmo 
Bancho. 

On San Luis Obispo Bay the Coast Sur- 
vey made the following report, published in 
1852, and republished in 1867: "This bay 
is an open roadstead, exposed to the south- 
ward, and even during heavy northwest 



weather a bad lateral swell rolls in, render- 
ing it an uncomfortable anchorage. The 
landing is frequently very bad, and often im- 
practicable, but the best place is the mouth 
of the creek, keeping the rocks at its month 
on the starboard hand. Fresh water may be 
obtained at a small stream opening on the 
beach half a mile west of the creek. In the 
coarse sandstone bluff between these two 
places are found gigantic fossil remains. 

" Off Point San Luis, which forms the 
southwest part of the bay, are some rocks, 
and in making the anchorage vessels should 
give this point a berth of half a mile. * * * 
The distance from this rock to the mouth of 
the creek is a mile and a half. * * * Four 
fathoms can be got about a fourth of a mile 
from the beach. In winter, anchor far enough 
out to clear Point San Luis if a southeaster 
should come up. During southerly weather 
landing is frequently effected at the watering 
place when impracticable at the creek." 

In the ante-wharf days, landing was ef- 
fected here as elsewhere by means of boats 
and lighters, and the disembarking was often, 
when the swell was heavy, very dangerous, 
as only those places were selected which were 
accessible to teams or pack trains on the shore. 
In 1860, a small wharf was built at a spot 
called Cave Landing, and here passengers 
and goods were landed. In 1869 a larger 
structure, calied the People's Wharf, was 
built at the Avila Beach. Here vessels and 
steamers could make fast to discharge and 
receive cargo. This wharf was exposed to 
the violence of the ocean during southwest 
storms, preventing landing, and more than 
once breaking away the structure. 

It was observed that vessels remained more 
securely farther to the westward, where the 
waves broke less heavily; but here the beach 
was very difficult of access, high, rocky bluffs 
coming to the edge of the water. Here Mr. 



128 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



John Harford and others resolved to con- 
struct a landing, and accordingly in 1872 
work was begun, to quarry a way for a rail- 
road, and build a wharf to deep water. By 
1873 the enterprise was so far advanced that 
shipping was received and goods transported 
over the railway, then operated by animal 
traction, to a point accessible to teams, a dis- 
tance of some two miles. Such was the ori- 
gin of Fort Harford, which now has a wharf 
1,800 feet long, with warehouse and offices 
upon it, and a large hotel at the land end. 
Vessels of up to 3,000 tons' burthen touch at 
this wharf regularly, and it is constantly 
crowded with business. Passengers and 
freight are conveyed to San Luis Obispo 
and other towns by the Pacific Coast Railway, 
whose trains run out upon the wharf twice 
a day. 

The second division of this county's coast 
is an irregular shore line, extending north- 
ward from Point San Luis to where the 
Santa Lucia Range abuts upon the coast, at 
the northern extreme of the county. Con- 
cerning this section, the Coast Survey's report 
says : — 

" To the northwest of the bay of San Luis 
Obispo rises to a great height the Monte de 
Bnchon, which is readily distinguished in 
coming from the northward or the southward. 
* * * From Point San Luis the 
coast trends in a straight line west-northweet 
for eight miles., and close along the shore of 
this stretch are several large rocks. Thence 
the coast trends abruptly to the north, to the 
high, conical rock called El Morro, distant 
eight miles — these two shores forming the 
seaward base of Mount Buchon. From El 
Morro the shore line gradually trends to the 
westward, thus forming a deep indentation 
or bay, designated as Estero Bay on the 
Coast Survey chart. Behind El Morro are 
several lagoons or streams, where a harbor 



for light-draft vessels could be made at com- 
paratively small expense, and the high land 
etreats for some distance, leaving the shore 
low and sandy, while the north shore is rug- 
ged and guarded by rocks. The northwest 
point of the bay is called Pnnta de los Este- 
ros, on the old Spanish charts, distant thir- 
teen miles. A line joining these points 
shows that the bay is about five miles deep. 

" In this bay is the landing of Cayucos 
where Captain James Cass, in 1873, built 
a substantial wharf, with tramway, ware- 
houses, etc. 

" From Point Los Esteros to the western 
point of anchorage of San Simeon, the coast 
runs nearly straight northwest by west for a 
distance of fifteen miles. The shores are not 
so bold as to the southward or northward, 
and the mountains fall back, leaving a fine, 
rolling country of no great elevation, and 
well suited to agriculture. We have seen 
wild oats growing here over six feet in 
height — not one or two stalks, but in acres. 

San Simeon Bay. — " This is a small, ex- 
posed roadstead, but affords tolerably good 
anchorage during northwest winds. * * * 
The indentation of the shore line forming 1 
the bay trends between northwest and north 
for half a mile, and then sweeps away to the 
westward about a mile and a half, gradually 
taking a southeast direction. The land be- 
hind the bay is comparatively low and gently 
rolling, the high hills retiring well inland. 
The high hills behind this shore are 
marked by redwood trees along their crest 
line, and upon some of their flanks. * * * 
It was in this bay that the steamship Pioneer, 
in 18 — , put in leaking badly, was driven or 
dragged upon the beach, and after being 
abandoned by the underwriters was got off 
and carried to San Francisco. 

" In making this harbor from the north- 
ward vessels must sight the Piedras Blancas 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



129 



(White Rocks) four miles west, three-quar- 
ters north, of the southwest point of San 
Simeon. They are two large, white, sharp- 
topped rocks, and nothing else like them is 
found on this part of the coast. When the 
outer rock bears north-northwest about two 
miles distant, it bears a very striking resem- 
blance to a lion couchant. The geographical 
position of the outer and larger rock is, ap- 
proximately, latitude 35° 39' north; longi- 
tude, 121° 15' west. * * * From 
Piedras Blancas the coast trends northwest 
half west for a distance of fifty-seven miles, 
in an almost perfectly straight line." 

ORGANIZATION. 

In the division of the State into Assem- 
bly and Senatorial districts, San Luis Obispo 
was allowed to elect one Assemblyman, 
and San Luis Obispo and Santa Bar- 
bara counties were united in a Sena- 
torial district to elect one Senator. Don 
Pablo de la Guerra of Santa Barbara was 
sent out as Senator, although it was claimed 
that more votes were cast for Captain Will- 
iam G. Dana, of San Luis Obispo. Henry 
A. Tefft was the first Assemblyman from this 
county. Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo 
composed the Second Judicial district, in 
which court was ordered to be held in the 
more northern county-seat, beginning on the 
first Monday of March, of July, and of Octo- 
ber, in each year. At the election held April 
14, 1850, J. Mariano Bonilla was elected 
County Judge; Henry J. Dally, Sheriff; 
Charles James Freeman, County Clerk; Joa- 
quin Estrada, County Recorder; John Wil- 
son, County Treasurer and Collector; Joseph 
Warren and Jesus Luna, Justices of the 
Peace. The statute creating the courts au- 
thorized the Court of Sessions to order elec- 
tions to fill vacancies, and also to fill vacancies 



pro tern. Here as elsewhere the court con- 
sisted of the County Judge and two Justices 
of the Peace. The first session, held in July, 
1850, appointed Francis Z. Branch, Assessor; 
William Hutton, County Surveyor, and Will- 
iam Stenner, Harbor Master; also Stephen 
Purdie to fill the office of County Recorder, 
resigned by Joaquin Estrada; and in August, 
when Purdie in his turn resigned, his suc- 
ceisor, S. A. Pollard, was appointed. There 
were in this county several incumbents of 
the office of Juez de Campo (Judge of the 
Fields or Country), a feature adapted from 
the old Spanish regime. This officer had 
supervision over the ownership, branding, 
driving, and killing of cattle, and other ques- 
tions relating to this subject, and in those 
counties containing the great stock ranges 
his functions were very important. 

The first mention of any other township 
than that of San Luis Obispo is in the rec- 
ords of the Court of Sessions which appointed 
these judges of the fields and prescribed 
their duties. Here reference is made to the 
township of Ni porno, and to that of the Third 
Precinct. 

At the election held in 1853 there were 
cast 137 votes in San Luis. 

After a meeting of the board of supervi- 
sors, August 3, 1859, which added three 
more precincts to those already existing, the 
county contained election precincts as fol- 
lows: — San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Ar- 
royo Grande, San Miguel, Costa, and Es- 
trella. 

For a number of } T ears all the proceedings 
of the Court of Sessions of San Louis Obispo 
were conducted in Spanish, and all the ac- 
counts, and such records as were kept, were 
entered in that language, which alone was 
spoken by the great majority of the people, 
and by those who composed the official corps 
and the juries. 



130 



SAJSf LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



ANNALS OF THE COUNTY 1851-1890. 

In the early days an act of (he Legisla- 
ture provided for public advertising in this 
county, requiring that all public notices 
should be posted at the houses of three speci- 
fied citizens of the county. 

The total vote here at the first election 
under American rule was tweuty-nine. The 
first after the constitution was adopted was 
forty-five. At the election of 1851 for gov- 
ernor, San Luis Obispo gave eight votes for 
the Democratic, and fifty-eight for the Whig^ 
candidate, this being the lowest vote polled 
in any county in the State, whose whole vote 
was 46,009. This county continued Whig 
for some years. 

During the '60s the inequitable assess- 
ments on lands caused great dissatisfaction 
in San Luis Obispo as elsewhere, and, a test 
case having been carried through various 
courts, it was declared that the action of the 
Board of Equalization, in increasing the as- 
sessments, was unjustifiable in law. The 
taxes were therefore paid according to the 
original asesssment. The assessed valuations 
this year were : real estate, $177,711.60; 
personal property, $311,121.25; total, $488,- 
832.85. The tax rate was $3.85; total tax, 
$18,598.90. There was in the county 
treasury a total of $4,881.50. 

During the decade of 1850-'60 San Luis 
Obispo County was indeed " a dark and bloody 
ground," where the peaceable and law-abiding 
citizen was far enough from finding security 
and protection. In 1853a gang ofeightorten 
men committed murders and robberies here- 
abouts, and then left for Los Angeles, where 
they were captured, five paying the supreme 
penalty for their crimes, and the rest escaping. 
For the next five years, hardly a month 
passed without the disappearance of some 
traveler, or the finding of one or more bodies 
of men slain for plunder. 



The murder of George Fearless in 1856, 
presumably by Jesus Luna, unpunished; the 
murder of the two Frenchmen, Obiesa and 
Graciano, on the Nacimiento, in December, 
1857, by Jack Powers, Pio Linares, and the 
Huero Rafael, who all escaped justice; the 
cold-blooded murder at San Juan Capistrano 
of the French rancheros, Baratie and Borel, 
and the abduction of Mme. Baratie by eight 
men who had enjoyed their hospitality, are 
among the most flagrant cases of those days. 
Of these criminals six paid the forfeit of their 
lives, either by hanging at the hands of the 
law^ or by shooting by their pursuers. 

These crimes were of unspeakable detri- 
ment to San Luis Obispo County. A deputy 
United States surveyor was at the time en- 
gaged in surveying the public lands, and 
dividing them from those comprised in the 
Spanish grants, many choice locations thus 
being found available for settlement. Fur- 
ther, many of the old ranchos were changing 
hands. The San Simeon rancho had been 
sold to a Spanish gentleman named Pujol, a 
part of the San Geronimo to one Senor Castro, 
the Blackburns of Santa Cruz had gathered 
about them on the Paso Robles quite a colony 
of Americans, and the Frenchmen Borel and 
Baratie were cultivating the San Juan Capis- 
trano rancho when they met their untimely 
end. Naturally enough, the evil fame of these 
atrocities spread far and wide, and deterred 
from immigration many worthy people whose 
advent would have contributed greatly to the 
development of the section. 

Opposite the priests' house, in Monterey 
street, the padres had erected a whipping- 
post, whereon to punish refractory Indians. 
After the coming of the Americans, they still 
used it as a means of punishment, up to 1854 
or 1855. It was made of stone, with a base 
two and one-half feet square, and four feet 
high, from which arose a cylindrical column, 



SAW LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



131 



some eighteen inches in diameter, and six 
feet high, all well cemented and smooth. 
On the top was a stone sun-dial, which marked 
the time for the padres, who were very scan- 
tily supplied with clocks and watches. 

It is stated that one sheriff here whipped 
a Mexican, for a heinous crime, so severely 
that the creature died in consequence. 

As late as 1862 there was in San Luis no 
watchmaker, and all time-pieces to be repaired 
had to be taken to San Francisco. 

In 1864 the Steele Brothers made a cheese 
eighteen inches thick, and over twenty feet 
in circumference, with a weight of 3,580 
pounds. They presented it to the Sanitary 
Commission, who placed it on exhibition at 
the Mechanics' Institute Fair in San Fran- 
cisco, and then sold it for the benefit of sick 
and wounded soldiers, it bringing over $3,000. 
In September, 1883, a fire at Corral de 
Piedra destroyed 260 tons of hay, and build- 
ings, harness, etc., to the amount of about 
$5,000, uninsured. 

In October, 1883, was organized a local 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to 
Animals. 

A fire at San Luis during this month 
burned portions of several buildings, includ- 
ing part of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, causing 
losses to the amount of $8,000. 

In December, 1883, the town had a popu 
lation of over 3,500. 

The unusually rainy season of 1883-'84 
caused great damage here as elsewhere in 
Southern California; landslides, destruction 
of roads and bridges, and some loss of life en- 
sued from the excess of waters, with delayed 
mails and traffic incidental. 

In January, 1884, the community was 
much exercised over the murder of Francisco 
Correa, shot in a lonely spot. It was gen- 
erally supposed, and all the circumstantial 
evidence tended to prove, that he was killed 



by his step-son, Jose Correa; but, although 
the young man was taken into custody several 
times, it was found impossible to convict him. 
In March, 1884, the sheriff, with a posse, 
captured a gang of counterfeiters and their 
mint, on San Bernardo Creek, they having 
been on the books of the authorities for some 
time. 

In the closing days of March, 1884, a severe 
hail-storm caused such deposits of frozen 
drops that a regular siege of snow-balling 
followed — a thing unprecedented in the ex- 
perience of many native born here. 

In the spring of 1884 work was begun on 
the " Andrews " Hotel, the contract being for 
$62,497. The site was valued at $20,000, 
and other costs brought the value of the com- 
pleted building up to $100,000. The An- 
drews was in its day the largest California 
hotel outside of San Francisco, excepting the 
Del Monte. This large, fine, elegantly fur- 
nished structure stood near the court-house. 
It was the property of an incorporated com- 
pany, being named for Mr. J. P. Andrews, 
one of the syndicate, who was at that time 
president of the San Luis Obispo Bank. It 
contained 112 rooms. It was open to guests 
in June, 1885. 

In July, 1884, was organized the Gentle- 
men's Social Club of San Luis Obispo, with 
forty members. The officers were: C. H. 
Phillips, president; Win. L. Beebe, vice-presi- 
dent,; J. A. Goodrich, secretary; J. P. An- 
drews, treasurer; J. M. Fdlmore and K. E. 
Jack, directors. 

In August, 1884, died on board the steamer 
Los Angeles, Judge W. J. Graves, of conges- 
tion of the brain, superinduced by over ex- 
ertion in reaching the steamer. Judo-e 
Graves, the recognized head of the bar of San 
Luis Obispo, was a pioneer, having arrived 
in California in 184U, and in 1852 in San 
Luis, where he had, with an interval of a few 



132 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



years, resided ever since. He was an ex- 
Assemblyman and ex-State Senator. Appro- 
priate resolutions of respect and regret were 
adopted by the local bar. 

On September 27, 1884, Jeff Drake, who 
kept a saloon about four miles from the town, 
shot and mortally wounded in his bar-room 
one man, and wounded another so as to cause 
loss of one arm. 

The flouring-mill was converted into a 
roller mill in September, 1884. 

During 1884 about $8,000 worth (or from 
30,000 to 40,000) of fruit trees were planted 
in the Estrella region. 

Early in November, 1884, the Mission Dis- 
trict school-house was burned, a loss of 
$6,000, with $3,000 insurance. This was the 
second attempt by incendiaries within a few 
weeks to destroy the building, in which 
burned many valuable books, records, etc. 

Of the Southern California counties of 
San Diego, Sau Bernardino, Los Angeles, 
Yentura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis 
Obispo, this county in 1884 stood first in the 
yield of wheat and oats, the average yield 
there being twenty-four and sixty bushels 
respectively to the acre; and in the yield of 
barley second, with an average product of 
thirty-six bushels to the acre. 

In 1884 San Luis County contained twelve 
road districts, six judicial townships, and five 
supervisional districts. 

In the spring of 1885 the fine new steamer 
Santa Rosa was put on the service of the 
Pacific Coast Steamship Company. 

On the night of Tuesday, January 13, 1885, 
a fire destroyed the costly and elegantly fur- 
nished residence of Mr. Ed. Smith, in the Los 
Tablas Y alley , the net loss being about $15,000. 

In the early part of July, 1885, two men 
were killed and four wounded on the Estrella 
plains, in a shooting affray growing out of 
an old feud. 



On August 16, 1885, Dr. J. P. Mooklar 
shot and killed Robert C. Lowrie at San 
Miguel, in a quarrel while under the influ- 
ence of liquor. This was one of the causes 
celebres of the county. 

In November, 1885, occurred the phenom- 
enal storm wherein eleven inches of rain 
fell, of which nine inches came within 
twelve hours. Through the washing away 
of roads and bridges, the railroad, breaking 
of telegraph lines, and stoppage of travel, 
traffic and the mails, damages were done 
amounting, in the city alone, to some $20,- 
000. About 200 feet of Pizmo wharf 
was washed away by the breakers. 

In December, 1885, the population of San 
Luis County was estimated at 17,500; of the 
city, 3,000; and of the school district of San 
Luis, 3,500. The rate of taxation for State and 
county was $1.50. and for city purposes $0 50. 

During 1885 260 passengers came from 
Los Angeles to Port Harford by steamer. 

San Luis County in 1885 stood twenty- 
second in school rank among the fifty- two 
counties of the State, and received from the 
State School Fund $4,807.84. 

In 1885 there were collected and paid to 
the county treasurer of San Luis Obispo, 
$147,536.50. 

In 1885 an ice factory was constructed at 
San Luis Obispo. 

In 1885 the Methodist congregation made 
various additions and improvements to their 
church edifice, at a cost of about $1,000. 

The Young Men's Home Association was 
organized in 1885. 

The postmaster's annual report for 1885 
showed a total of 2,959 registered pieces 
handled, the gross receipts of the office being 
$2,746.61. 

In January, 1886, the new mission school- 
house was completed, to replace the structure 
burned in October, 1883. 



SAN LVIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



133 



On March 19, 1886, died Charlotte L., 
wife of Myron Angel, the well-known jour- 
nalist and author of San Luis Obispo. Her 
funeral was most largely attended. 

On March 31, 1886, Peter Hemnie, a resi- 
dent of the county since 1851, and his 
eighteen-year-old son, shot and killed, in 
their garden at Arroyo Grande, Eugene 
Walker and his wife. The cause was a sense 
of injury over the deprivation of a small 
piece of land which Hemnie had fenced in as 
part of his pre-emption claims, but which 
had been patented by Walker. The citizens 
of the outraged community that night 
formed a party, took the murderers from 
custody and hanged them from the timbers 
of the railroad bridge. 

On Sunday, April 18, 1886, the Andrews 
Hotel caught fire from a defective joint in a 
terra cotta chimney, and in less than three 
hours it was but a mass of embers. The 
loss in the hotel alone was $75,000, and in 
its furniture $20,000; no insurance. The 
flames were communicated to neighboring 
buildings, with the result of losses as follows: 
San Luis Obispo Bank building, value $35,- 
000, insured for $10,000; brick building ad- 
joining, belonging to the bank, $10,000, in- 
sured for $5,000; postoffice, belonging to the 
bank, $1,000; Payne & McLeod's livery 
stable, $1,200. Other losses to individuals, 
guests, employes, etc,, brought the aggre- 
gate up to at least $1,600,00, with $19,000 
insurance. The court-house, over 100 yards 
distant, caught fire, and was saved only by 
prompt and great exertions, as was also the 
case with the flouring-mill of Steele & 
Wheelan. The buoyant citizens, within 
twenty-four hours of the burning, had raised 
$31,050 toward the building of a $200,000 
successor. 

On July 5, 1886, another large fire, caused 
by the celebration pyrotechnics, consumed 



$10,550 worth of property, which breakages, 
thefts, etc., increased to a grand total of 
$15,150; insurance, $3,700. 

In August, 1886, a Kindergarten was 
opened in San Luis Obispo. 

Tn 1886 there were collected and paid to 
San Luis Obispo's county treasurer $150,- 
125.28 of taxes. 

A board of trade, organized in February, 
1887, expired after about two years' dura- 
tion. 

In February, 1887, an insane man named 
Dougherty, who had been at large some time, 
being well known in the county, set out run- 
ning amuck with the avowed intention to 
kill his wife and other persons, and he was 
shot down by armed citizens as a protective 
measure. 

In 1887 " the boom " struck San Luis 
Obispo, and in the week from March 11 to 
17 the prices of real estate advanced fifty 
per cent., in many cases 100 per cent. Build- 
ing received an impetus. 

In the spring of 1888 the steamer Queen 
of the Pacific sunk at Port Harford, owing 
to the entrance of water through an open 
deadlight in a side compartment of the hold. 
She was raised within a few days, and re- 
stored to service. 

The year 1888 witnessed the construction 
of a handsome hall of records, built in an 
elegant, modern style of architecture, at a 
cost of $14,000. 

It was also during this "'boom" period 
that arrangements were made with the noted 
engineer, Colonel George Waring, to make 
plans for a system of sewage. To this pur- 
pose he visited the town ajid made the plans, 
at a cost of $800 to the municipality. The 
city was surveyed, but no further movement 
was taken in the matter. The fulfillment of 
the plans would have required an expendi- 
ture of $150,000, for which it was purposed 



134 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



to vote bonds of the city. The question has 
not yet been submitted to the people. 

The report of the county school superin- 
tendent, rendered in June, 1888, showed the 
county to contain 4,149 census children; 
total number enrolled in pnblie schools, 
3,249; average daily attendance, 1,797; aver- 
age number belonging, 1,958. There were 
eighty-six school districts, and 100 teachers, 
who received an average salary of $73 for the 
men, and $62.50 for the women. There 
were received from all sources for school 
purposes $94,476.74. 

Owing to the lowered rates on imported 
ice, the iceworks was sold, and the plant re- 
moved, December, 1889. 

The school census report of June 30, 1889, 
showed a total of 4,402 census children in 
the county; a total enrollment of 3,510; an 
average of 2,284 belonging; and an average 
daily attendance of 2,097. There were now 
105 teachers, supplying eighty-nine districts. 
The average salary for men was $75, and for 
women $62.50. The total receipts for school 
purposes was $79,869.84. 

The assessment roll for 1889 was made up 
as follows: Real estate, $9,068,636; im- 
provements on same, $725,564; city lots, 
$1,316,108; improvements on same, $677,- 
566; improvements on land of others, $84,- 
891- mining claims and improvements, 
$1,825 ; money and credits, $97,215 ; telegraph 
and phone lines, $9,922; personal property, 
$2,358,429; total, $14,340,256. 

This increase of about $600,000 over the 
roll of the preceding year was not due to the 
increase of values, but to the addition to the 
roll of about 60,000 of pre-empted lands, etc. 

The acreage of wheat this year was 96,385; 
oats, 4,246; barley, 48,360; corn, 765; hay, 
25,780; acres table grapes, 432; wine grapes, 
426; number vines, 514,835; number fruit 
trees, 38,325. 



The tax levy for 1889-'90 for State and 
county purposes is $1.42 on the $100. 

In January, 1890, natural gas was discov- 
ered on the Tar Spring Rancho. As yet, it 
has not been developed. 

The total rainfall from October 8, 1889, to 
May 11, 1890, was 38.71 inches, a very un- 
usual quantity. 

The auditor's report, at the close of the 
last fiscal year, June 30, 1890, showed the 
county's money to stand as follows: 

Gold $28,274.00 

Silver 3,594.84 

Currency 5,658.37 

County Warrants paid during the month 108.75 

Certificates of Deposit 25,000.00 

Total $62,635.96 

LAND GRANTS. 

The land grants in San Luis Obispo 
County, according to geographical position, 
ranging from north to south, are as follows: 

Piedra Jllanca, eleven leagues; grantee and 
confirmee, Jose de Jesus Pico; surveyed and 
finally confirmed by natural boundaries; pat- 
ented October 9, 1876, for 48,805.59 acres. 
Subsequent owners, Juan Castro, heirs of 
Mariano Pacheco, Peter Gillis, George Hearst, 
and others. 

San Simeon. One league. Grantee, Jose 
Ramon Estrada; confirmee, Jose Miguel 
Gomez. Patented April 1, 1865. Contains 
4,468.81 acres. 

Santa Rosa. Three leagues. Grantee ai-d 
confirmee, Julian Estrada. Survey includes 
13,183.62 acres. Patented March 18, 1865. 

San Geronimo. Two leagues. Grantee 
and confirmee, Rafael Villavicencio. Patented 
July 10, 1876, and then surveyed; 8,893.35 
acres. 

Morro y Cayacos. Grantees, Martin Oli- 
vera and Vicente Feliz. Confirmee, James 
McKinley. Patented January 19, 1878, and 



SAJSf LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



135 



surveyed; 8,845.49 acres. Subdivided and 
sold in farms and dairy ranchos. 

San Bernardo. One league. Grantee 
and confirmee, Yicente Canet. Surveyed 
and patented April 1, 1865; 4,379.42 acres. 

San Luisito. One league. Grantee and 
confirmee, Guadalupe Cantua. Patented 
March 18, 1860, and surveyed; 4,389.13 
acres. 

Canada del Chorro. One league. Grantees, 
James Scott and John Wilson. Confirmed to 
John Wilson. Surveyed and patented March 
29, 1861; 3,166.99 acres. 

Huerta de Romualdo or El Chorro. 
Grantee, Romualdo, an Indian; confirmee, 
John Wilson. Confirmed by District Court 
of the United States, February 9, 1857; one- 
tenth of one square league, or 117.13 acres. 
Patented April 13, 1871. 

Canada de los Osos, y Pecho, e Yslay. 
Grantees, Victor Linares, Francisco Badillo, 
James Scott, and John Wilson. Finally con- 
firmed, surveyed, and patented to John 
Wilson, September 23, 1869; 32,430.70 
acres. 

Potrero de San Luis Obispo. Grantee 
and confirmee, Maria Concepcion Boronda. 
Finally confirmed, surveyed and patented, 
July 1, 1870; 3,506.33 acres. 

Santa Fe. Grantee, Victor Linares. Con- 
firmed and surveyed. Patented August 19, 
1866; 1,000 varas square; 156.76 acres. 

La Laguna. One league Mission land. 
Confirmed to Archbishop Joseph Sador Ale- 
many and patented ; 4,157.02 acres. 

San Miguelito. Three leagues. Grantee 
and confirmee, Miguel Avila. Patented Au- 
gust 8, 1867, and surveyed; 22,135.89 acres. 

Corral de Piedra. Seven leagues. Grantee 
and confirmee, Jose Maria Villavicencio. 
Surveyed and patented October 29, 1867; 
30,911.20 acres. 

Pismo. Two leagues. Grantee and con- 



firmee, Isaac J. Sparks. Surveyed and pat- 
ented, November 16, 1866; 8,838.89 acres. 

Arroyo Grande or San Ramon. One 
league. Grantee Zeferi no Carlon; Confirmee, 
Francis Z. Branch. Patented and surveyed 
April 10, 1867; 4,437.58 acres. 

Santa Manuela. Grantee and confirmee, 
Francis Z. Branch. Patented August 22, 
1868, and surveyed; 16,954.83 acres. 

Bolsa de Chemisal. Grantee, Francisco 
Qnijada; confirmee, Lewis T. Burton. Sur- 
veyed and patented August 27, 1867; 14,- 
335.22 acres. 

Nipomo. — Eleven leagues. Grantee and 
confirmee, William G. Dana. Patented De- 
cember 14, 1868, and surveyed. 37,887.91 
acres. 

Suey. Five leagues. Grantee and con- 
firmee, Ramona Carrillo de Wilson. Pat- 
ented August 10, 1865, and surveyed; 24,- 
497 acres of this rancho are in San Luis 
Obispo County, and it also contains 23,737.77 
acres in Santa Barbara County. 

LLuasna. Five leagues. Grantee and con- 
firmee, Isaac T. Sparks. Patented January 
23, 1879, and surveyed; 22,152,99 acres. 

Santa Maria, or Tepusquet. Two leagues, 
partly in Santa Barbara County. Grantee, 
Tomas Olivera. Confirmed to Antonio Maria 
de Cota and others. Patented February 23, 
1871, and surveyed. 8,900.75 acres, of which 
2,950 are in San Luis Obispo. 

The land grants lying on the east side of 
the Santa Lucia Range are as follows: 

Santa Margarita. Four leagues. Grantee 
and confirmee, Joaquin Estrada. Surveyed 
and patented April 9, 1861; 17,734 acres. 

Atascadero. One league. Grantee, Triton 
Garcia; confirmee, Henry Ilaight. Surveyed 
and patented June 18, 1860; 4,348.23 acres. 
Lies west of Salinas River, between the 
ranchos Santa Margarita and Asuncion. 

Asujicion. Ten leagues. Grantee and con- 



136 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



firmee, Pedro Estrada. Patented March 22, 
1866, and surveyed; 39,224.81 acres. 

Paso de Robles. Six leagues. Grantee, 
Pedro Narvaez; confirmee, Petronilo Rios. 
Patented July 12, 1866, and surveyed; 25,- 
993.18 acres. North of the Asuncion, and 
west of the Salinas River. This rancho has 
the Paso de Robles Hot Springs in its north- 
ern part. 

Santa Y sab el. Four leagues, 17,774.12 
acres. Grantee and confirmee, Francisco Arce. 
Surveyed and patented May 21, 1866. Lies 
east of Paso de Robles and the Salinas River. 

Cholamie. Six leagues, lying partly in 
San Luis Obispo, and partly in Monterey 
County. Grantee, Mauricio Gonzalez; con- 
firmee, Ellen E. White. Patented April 1, 
1865, and surveyed; 26,627.10 acres. 

IIuer-Huero. Three leagues; 15,684.95 
acres, to which Flint, Bixby & Co. added 
31,150 acres of Government land. Grantee, 
Jose Mariano Bonilla; confirmee, Francis Z. 
Branch. Patented August 9, 1866, and sur- 
veyed. Lies between the Salinas and Estrella 
rivers. 

Mission San Luis Obispo/ 52.72 acres, 
comprising the present church buildings, and 
land covered by the city of San Luis Obispo. 
Property of the Roman Catholic Church, 
confirmed to Archbishop Joseph Sadoi Ale- 
many. Patented September 2, 1859. 

Lot in Mission San Luis Obispo, contain- 
ing one acre, confirmed to John Wilson. 

1 Guyama. Grantee, Jose Maria Rojo; 
confirmee, Maria Antonio de la Guerra and 
Pesario Lataillade. Patented July 20, 1877, 
for 22,193.21 acres. 

2 Guyama. Grantee, Jose Maria Rojo; 
confirmed to the heirs of Cesario Lataillade. 
Patented January 10, 1879. 

Guadalupe. Grantees and confirmees, 
Diego Olivera and Teodoro Orrellanes. Pat- 
ented June 30, 1866; 30,408.03 acres. 



Punta de la Laguna, containing 26,- 
648.42 acres. Grantees and confirmees, Luis 
Arrellanes and E. M. Ortega. Patented Oc- 
tober 2, 1873. 

The Cuyamas, two-thirds of the Guadalupe, 
and the Punta de la Laguna / excepting about 
700 acres of the last mentioned, lie within 
Santa Barbara County, but the United States 
maps place them in San Luis Obispo County, 
with which they are often reckoned. 

Besides the large granted tracts, individual 
purchases have been made of Government 
land, whose extent in the aggregate exceeds 
the grants made under the Mexican system. 
Among these are the following: 

Las Ghimeneas, containing 20,000 acres, 
situated near the head of the San Juan River, 
in the southern part of the county. 

La Panza, extending twenty-two miles 
along the San Juan River valley; 31,000 acres. 

El Sauoito, in the western part of the 
Carriso Plains; contains 2,560 acres. 

La Gometa, lying northwest of La Panza, 
containing 36,139 acres. 

San Juan, comprising 39,780 acres, on 
the San Juan River, north of La Panza. 

California, comprising 18,155 acres, lying 
west of the San Juan. 

Estrella, containing 25,140 acres, on the 
Estrella River, near the junction with the San 
Juan. 

Sacramento, of 15,900 acres. 

Whim Ranclio, in the southwestern part 
of Carriso Plain; 30,000 acres. 

McDonald Tract, comprising 57,386 acres, 
lying in Carriso Plain and Carriso Valley. 

Scliultz and Von Bergen Tract, 21,000 
acres, in the Carriso Plain. 

Morrow Tract, 33,000 acres, in the upper 
portion of the San Juau Valley. 

St. Remy, consisting of the Arroyo Grande 
Rancho of 4,437.29 acres, and 1,500 acres 
lying at the head of the Arroyo Grande. 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



137 



Among the great land-owners before the 
beginning of American rule, were William 
G. Dana, John Wilson, John M. Price, Fran- 
cis Z. Branch and Isaac J. Sparks, of the 
foreign element, besides many native Cali- 
fornians. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

San Luis Obispo, classed as one of the 
southern coast counties of California, has 
as its western boundary the Pacific Ocean, 
and for its eastern the Monte Diablo Range, 
which separates the county from the Tulare 
Valley, this boundary f ">llowing the summit 
of the mountains in a trend northwest and 
southeast; the northern boundary is a direct 
east and west line; the southern follows the 
Santa Maria or Cnyama River. Thus the 
general shape of the county is a parallelo- 
gram, averaging sixty-five miles long by fifty 
wide, with a total area of 3,250 square miles. 
The county lies between the thirty-fifth and 
thirty-sixth degrees of latitude, and the 
longitude runs from about 119° 20' to 121° 
20' west from Greenwich. The territory is 
rolling, and traversed by several ranges. The 
chief physical feature is the Santa Lucia 
Range, running almost parallel with the 
coast, and dividing the county into unequal 
parts, of distinctive characteristics. West of 
the Santa Lucia lies about one-fourth of the 
county, the mountains toward the south 
trending eastward, continuing to a junction 
with the Monte Diablo Range, and dividing 
the Cnyama from the headwaters of the Sali- 
nas and San Juan rivers. From Estero Bay 
the Mount Buchon Range extends about 
twenty miles southeastward, 1,200 to 2,000 
feet high; it is cut through by the San Luis 
and Arroyo Verde creeks. Between these 
ranges is a succession of detached buttes, as 
the Mission and Bishop's Peaks, having an 
elevation of 1,500 and 1,800 feet. This 



butte range on the southeast gradually runs 
into low, scattered hills, while on the north- 
east it terminates in Morro Rock, in Estero 
Bay. Westward to the ocean from the Santa 
Lucia flow very many small streams, such as 
the Sau Corcopero, Santa Rosa, Toro, Old 
Creek, San Luis, Arroyo Verde, Arroyo 
Grande, and others, beside the numerous 
branches. These streams are marked by 
many canons, with valleys of considerable 
extent, which, as well as much of the hill 
lands, are very fertile. The Salinas River 
flows from south to north through nearly the 
whole extent of that portion of the county 
east of the Santa Lucia. Its tributaries are: 
from the west, the Santa Margarita, Atasca- 
dero, Paso Robles and San Marcos creeks; 
from the east, the Estrella and its branches, 
the Huer-Huero, San Juan, and others; the 
San Juan in its turn receiving the Carriso, 
La Panza, Montezuma, French, and other 
6mall streams. These smaller streams gen- 
erally are so nearly dry as to fail to reach 
the main water courses. This region gener- 
ally has very fertile soil; it is mostly hilly, 
and in the southern portion mountainous, 
and is well wooded in oaks and pines. The 
extremes of heat and cold here are greater 
than in the district west of the Santa Lucia. 
East of the San Juan Creek is a high, tree- 
less basin, called the Carriso Plain. It is 
forty-five miles long by eight to ten wide. 
It ranges from 1,000 feet elevation iu the 
center to 1.300 at the extremes. The drain- 
age goes to the central depression, which 
during the dry season is a great bed of salt, 
one to two miles wide and five miles long. 
This becomes a lake in "wet" years. The 
stock-raisers for miles around have long re- 
sorted hither to salt their flocks and herds. 
Very densely salt water is obtained by sink- 
ing some four feet. For a few miles north 
of this lake the soil contains some little 



138 



SAN LUIS OBISPO OOUNIT. 



alkali, but most of the plain is of fine agri- 
cultural possibilities. 

This land was mostly bought up some 
years a:zo by capitalists of San Francisco, 
with a view to speculation, J. M. and R. H. 
McDonald, 1. Glasier, Schultz & Von Bergen 
owning about 50,000 acres, 47,000 acres, and 
21,800 acres respectively, while large tracts 
were held also by Haggin & Carr and others. 

The following description of the geographi- 
cal divisions of the county is from a report of 
the State mineralogist: " The Santa Lucia 
Mountains, wdiich are the westerly-lying 
ridge of the coast range, strike northwest and 
southeast across the entire length of this 
county, the other branch of the coast range, 
though more broken, occupying its easterly 
portion. Between these mountain ranges, 
and flanking them on the east and west, occur 
many valleys and much low hill land, con- 
stituting the principal agricultural districts 
of the county "Wild oats and the native 
grasses grow abundantly all over this county, 
making it one of the best grazing regions in 
the State. As a consequence, large numbers 
of cattle and sheep, the most of them im- 
proved breeds, are pastured here. 

" The cereal crops and fruits of most kinds 
are also largely produced, both the soil and 
the climate being highly favorable to their 
growth. 

''The county is watered by the upper tribu- 
taries of the Salinas River, flowing north; 
San Simi Creek, running . southwest and 
emptying into San Luis Bay; and by the 
Cuyama River, flowing across its southern 
border, and forming in part the dividing line 
between this and Santa Barbara County, 
The timber here consists chiefly of oak, 
madrono and manzanita, with a little scrubby 
pine on the mountains. 

'•The trend of this range is north 46° west 
The general altitude is 2,500 to 3,000 feet, 



but in the south there are peaks rising as 
high as 7,000 feet. The strip of land be- 
tween the western base of the foot-hills and 
the sea is five to fifteen miles wide. 

"The aspect of this range, as seen from the 
west, is of precipitous and forbidding moun- 
tains; in reality, the mountain-wall is broken 
by many inlets, which follow little streams, 
such as the Arroyo Grande, Lopez Creek, 
Corral de Piedra, San Luis Chorro, Morro, 
Van Ness, Santa Rosa, Old Creek and others, 
opening into delightfully fertile valleys. 
Those valleys on the northeastern side of the 
range are much higher than that of San Luis 
Obispo, which is 190 feet above sea level, 
while Santa Margarita Valley is nearly 800 
feet higher, and the Cuesta is 1,350 feet 
above the sea. 

"These mountains viewed from the east 
appear more accessible, being made up of 



many detached buttes and lateral spurs, 
interspersed with deep, romantic canons, 
broad valleys and verdant pastures. This 
region is well covered with noble white oaks 
of wide spread, together with a smaller 
variety scattered among nut pines on the 
ridges; laurel, balm of Gilead, cottonwood 
and sycamore in the canons, and live oak and 
chemisal on the mountain sides. 

" On this slope the Salinas River and its 
branches take their rise, the principal tribu- 
taries being the Santa Margarita, Atascadero, 
Paso Robles and Nacimiento." 

THE SOIL. 

The county, owing to the direction and 
character of the Santa Lucia Range of moun- 
tains, is naturally divided into two sections, 
the western and eastern — the coast and inte- 
rior. Conforming to this division are the 
two distinctions of soil, elsewhere noted, 
which make the general character of the east- 
ern and western portions of the county diver. 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



139 



gent. Lying open to the sea, that portion 
between the Santa Lucia Range and the 
Pacific enjoys the refreshing coolness of the 
ocean, has a greater rainfall, and enjoys many 
advantages peculiar to itself as compared with 
the eastern portion of the county, while on 
the other hand the latter enjoys a climate 
and warmth that must give it some pre- 
eminent advantages over its western counter- 
part. Another more obvious and practical 
distinction is that of the rancho and public 
lands. San Luis Obispo County has a total 
area of 2,290,000 acres. Of this 561,073 
acres are included in the Spanish grants, 
leaving 1,728.926 acres of public lands. The 
grants lie along the coast or on the Salinas 
River, with the greater number on the coast, 
thus leaving the interior portion of the county 
mostly public lands. The grants include 
much of the rich bottom along the streams, 
but by no means all of the good land of the 
county. The thousands of acres of Govern- 
ment land are among the most fertile of the 
State. There are in all thirty-five grants in 
the county, thirteen of the largest of which, 
aggregating 200,000 acres, have been sub- 
divided and sold off in smaller lots or are 
now on the market. So rapid have been the 
6ales of these lands, that of the three or four 
great ranches placed upon the market in the 
year 1887, but a comparatively small portion 
remained unsold. As the market calls for it, 
as the increase of taxes and of value render 
it advantageous, the owners of others of the 
very best and largest grants will be forced to 
place them on the market, thus affording 
opportunity for others to secure homes under 
San Luis Obispo's genial skies. The Govern- 
ment land, as already stated, embraces by far 
the greater portion of the county. Of late, 
settlers have been flocking in, and the land is 
being rapidly settled up; still there are thou- 
sands of acres of the finest kind of rolling 



land, adapted to mixed farming, stock raising, 
and more especially fruit-raising; the latter 
kind of land being the most valuable when 
lying along the hills or at the foot of the 
mountains. All of the public land that is 
open to settlement can be acquired under the 
pre-emption laws of the United States at 
$1.25 per acre, and San Luis Obispo County 
can heartily say to the intending settler, 
"Come, settle in our midst and enjoy the 
luxuries, pleasures and beauties of our Cali- 
fornia home." To the man of means who 
does not care to undergo the hardships inci- 
dent to taking up land fresh from the hand 
of nature, and by his own sturdy labor sur- 
round himself with all the comforts and 
luxuries of a home, there are thousands of 
opportunities to purchase improved farms at 
almost any price to suit his fancy or funds. 
If he desires to follow simple farming, as 
already noted, there are numberless oppor- 
tunities to secure the fertile ranch lands that 
are on the market, at from $10 to $50 per 
acre. For grazing purposes the hills offer 
ample room for all, at a cost but little in 
advance of Government prices. Along the 
coast some of the finest dairying land in the 
world may yet be had, at from $10 to $14 
per acre. Elsewhere, along the hills or in 
the valleys, can be obtained for fruit-raising, 
the finest farms in the State, at prices which 
of course are high, bnt considering the return 
on the investment made far exceed the profits 
of grain or stock raising. Along the creeks 
or on the alluvial bottoms, is to be found a 
great deal of improved gardening lands, vary- 
ing in price from $100 to $500, and the 
famous bean lands of the county, which, 
cleared and ready for cultivation, sell so 
readily for $300 per acre, but the returns 
from which make it one of the best invest- 
ments in the county. The lands now offered 
for sale are in every particular as good as 



140 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



many of the famous orchards and vineyards of 
Los Angeles, San Jose and other famous por- 
tions of the State, where land sells at from 
$300 to $1,000 per acre. But this county, 
heretofore shut off from outside communica- 
tion, except by a tedious stage journey of 
200 miles or an equally disagreeable sea trip, 
now offers opportunities at one-tenth of the 
cost of these sections. Here, as there, may 
be found every variation of quality and 
adaptability. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate varies slightly with the local- 
ity, as the sea breeze blows direct from the 
ocean or deflected by the hills. The meteoro- 
logical record that has given us the rainfall, 
shows the mean temperature of the four 
warmest months of summer to be 64 degrees, 
and of the four coldest months of winter 51 
degrees, taken at 7 a. m., 12 m. and 9 p. m., 
constituting a climate as equable and salubri- 
ous as man can desire. The thermometer 
seldom measures over 90 degrees, and frosts 
are rarely seen, even in the low, damp valleys. 
The prevailing wind is from the west, often 
causing foggy or hazy mornings. 

There are no extremes of wind, or heat, or 
cold. The desiccating northers experienced 
at intervals in almost every section of Cali- 
fornia are never known in this coast region. 
The heaviest winds are those that bring the 
winter rain; and the highest wind known, 
forty-four miles an hour, is regarded as a 
gale of extreme and rare occurrence. The 
heaviest summer wind rarely reaches twenty 
miles an hour, usually ranging from one to 
eight miles. These are from records kept 
through a series of years. 

The physical features of this county re- 
semble the State in miniature, with its sea- 
coast, the bordering mountains and valleys, 
the Sierra (Sania Lucia) and the interior 
large valleys and river and mountain ranges, 



giving a variety of climatic conditions. The 
coast climate is modified by the neighbor- 
hood of the sea and the winds therefrom. 
The usual temperature of the water of the 
ocean is about 53 degrees, varying but one or 
two degrees summer or winter. There is 
little change during the year in the tempera- 
ture of the coast sections, the summers of 
which are cooler, and the winters warmer, 
than in the region east of the Santa Lucia 
range. While the summer winds are some- 
times unpleasantly strong, as they come from 
across the wide expanse of the Pacific waters, 
they blow pure, fresh and healthful, instead 
of bearing malaria from decaying vegetation, 
or germs of disease taken up from agglomera- 
tions of human abodes. Snow sometimes falls 
on the mountains, and on the highCarriso plain. 
The meteorological record for 1874 and 
1875 shows that there was a difference of 
only 2.08 degrees in the mean annual tem- 
perature during those two years. Taking the 
record of the four coldest months, it shows a 
difference of only 2.31 degrees in mean tem- 
perature between the two winters; and a 
similar comparison gives but .84 of a degree 
in difference between the mean heat of the 
two summers. The same records note the 
greatest difference for the two years to be but 
13.78 degrees. As between the extreme hot- 
test and coldest months of this period, the 
difference was 19.37 degrees. 

COMPARATIVE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF SIX COLD- 
EST MONTHS. 

Temperature of six coldest months at San 
Luis Obispo, as compared with the most 
noted places in the world, regarding climate: 



DEG. 
PAH. 



San Luis Obispo. . 
Santa Barbara. . . . 
City of Mexico.. . . 

City of liisbon 

City of San Remo. 
City of Mentone . 
City of Nice 



California. 
California. 
Mexico. .. 
Portugal. . 

Italy 

France 

Italy 



56.15 
56 55 
56.03 
54.70 
53.89 
53.21 
48 45 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



141 



WEATHEK KEPOKT. 

The United States Signal Service estab- 
lished a station at San Luis Obispo, in July, 
1885, and a fire occasioned its removal after 
March, 1886. The following table gives the 
observations for the eight months of its ex- 
istence. The remaining four months are 
always uniformly fair and pleasant: 



*-. O x 

cT^ b 

CO p 

Id & 2 

~ , , C- 

efcra — 

O C V! 

O S 

co co 



p 5 

•a 2. 

•a a 

a era 

-« O 4 

o o 

D g 

— -J 

<<; Ol 

V o 

CD B 

C CD 

c c 

c-- B 

B - CO 

CD <D 



5 B 

w 2. 

p CO* 



CD 

5 
O 



a 
&3 



D cT 

B <i 

T3 CD 
2 O 

p 2. 



a> o 



- - 0- 

S" 



^cT 

h-. CD 
D P 



CD O ^ 

era o 



o P 



p o 

- o. 



-•a 



00 <o co 

iodt-iOOOOOO 



CO CO CO 
©Wh-'OOOOOO 



O 4_ h-l h- * ^ 

'^i^COOSKOOO-i 



O? 

C7I CO J— l 
IjOSCO-lOlOCCOSl 



CC(XM |-L »_L 

'^^KCCUOOOCO 



J* tO l-i l-i 

^OS-JOKOOOCO 



9*. i- 1 -! 

I^CSOI-^OIOOOO 



OI . ,_! 

^ • C5 >£». CO A- 

oc • -<(>>#>■ CO CO © -i 



The reports of the temperature, wind, and 
rain, published in the Daily Republic, which 
kept the only complete record in the county, 
showed the rainfall for the wet season of 
1886-'87 to be as follows: October, .25; 
November, 1.25; December, 1.06; January, 
1.10; February, 9.62; March, .75; April, 



1.69; May, .40; thus making for the season 
a total of 16.12 inches, and the average 
for the eighteen years past 20.79^ inches, as 
against 21.07 at which, the preceding year, 
stood the average for seventeen years pre- 
vious. As compared with other agricultural 
counties of the State, this was a very favor- 
able showing. The reports for the same 
year showed the following record of rainfall 
from the respective localities: San Francisco, 
18.97 inches; Templeton, 9.51; Paso Robles, 
8.02; San Miguel, 7.05; San Ardo, 6.85; 
Kings City, 6.45; Soledad, 5.88; Salinas, 
8.27; Monterey, 7.95; Hollister, 6.09; Gil- 
roy, 9.06; San Luis Obispo, 13.96; Creston, 
12.74; San Jose", 9.98; Menlo Park, 8.26; 
Fresno, 4.95; San Diego, 5.60; Stockton, 
5.61; Sacramento, 11.40; Woodland, 8.52s 
Pajaro, 11.12. 

COMPARATIVE ANNUAL RAINFALL. 

Rainfall at San Luis Obispo as compared 
with other points in California and the United 
States: 

PLACE. 



San Francisco, 

*San Luis Obispo. 

Sacramento 

Sanla Barbara.... 

Los Angeles 

Monterey 

Salinas 

Stockton 

San Jose" 

Chualar 

San Diego 

Soledad 

Riverside 

Bismarck 

Dodge City 

North Platte 

St. Vincent , 

Lewiston 

Salt Lake City 

Helena 

Denver 

Prescott 

Boise City 

El Paso 

Cheyenne, 

Phoenix 



STATE. 


IN. 


California,. . 


21.46 


" 


21.07 


" 


17.25 


" 


15.31 


" 


14.92 


" 


13.01 


u 


12.03 


" 


11.37 


" 


10.62 


If 


10.18 


" 


9.44 


" 


7.75 


" 


7.66 




21.27 




20.09 


Nebraska... 


19.97 


Minnesota. . 


18.62 


Idaho 


17.14 


Utah 


16.91 


Montana 


15.13 


Colorado . . . 


14.98 


Arizona .... 


14.51 




13.30 




12.11 


Wyoming . . 


10.85 


Arizona 


7.53 



♦Average as taken at San Luis Obispo City for the 
last seventeen years. 



142 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 





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THE THERMAL BELT. 



This is a pleasant term for that ill defined 
region which is supposed to border every 
valley, and to extend at a certain elevation 
along the coast of Southern California. Al- 
most every section of California has its 
"thermal belt," each differing from the 
other according to locality and the latitude, 
for it is certain there are climatic changes 
with the latitude, though slight. Thus the 
foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, and the 
slightly elevated regions of Vacaville, and 
Madison, and winters in the Coast Range are 



in the thermal belt surrounding the Sacra- 
mento Valley, and these are the favorite fruit 
sections of the north. But in those localities 
frosts are quite heavy in winter, which is fa- 
vorable for deciduous fruits, but not quite 
sufficiently severe to be damaging to citrus 
fruits. In such comparison we might say 
that all the coast region of San Luis Obispo 
was in the thermal belt, but it is not so 
estimated. The thermal belt is that region 
where frosts are unknown, where the winds 
do not sweep too severely, where the air is 
unburdened by fogs, and the genial sun of 
summer fructifies and enriches the fruits of 
the earth. Along the coast, throughout this 
county, frost is rarely seen, in many places 
never; and still near the ocean grapes do not 
ripen, nor do citrus fruits grow successfully. 
There is here a distinctive thermal belt, such 
as we have mentioned, lying between the 
altitudes of 100] and 600 feet of elevation, 
where not a damp and level valley. Al 
the little ridges of this region lift themselves 
above the frosts of night, and everywhere all 
delicate plants grow without danger. The 
distinctive belt is that lying east and north 
of San Luis Obispo city, skirting the base 
of the hills and extending along the mountain 
side. There, frosts are unknown, and toma- 
toes and other delicate plants furnish their 
flowers and fruits, regardless of the months 
or the seasons. There are the oldest orange 
trees of the country, growing from the seed 
planted as an experiment, and coming into 
bearing when eight years old, producing an 
excellent fruit. With this proof of success, 
others made the trial, and the most delicious 
oranges known now grow in the belt. Wher- 
ever it may be followed, north or south, to 
the elevation of 600 feet, this band of genial 
temperature will be found, the most certain 
in its products of any portion of our favored 
region. 



SAJST LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



143 



THE COAST EEGION. 

The coast slope of the range is usually re- 
garded as comprising one-third of the county, 
but this is reckoning from the summit to the 
ocean. 

Between the foot of the range and the 
ocean are a succession of valleys of various 
areas, aggregating about 300,000 acres. This 
is the oldest settled portion of the county, 
was nearly all included in the old Mexican 
grants — now mostly subdivided and sold in 
farms — and until recently was regarded as 
comprising all that was valuable. 

Of these fair valleys are the San Simeon, 
Santa Rosa, the coast borders of Cayucos and 
Morro, the larger mountain valleys of Las 
Tablas, Nacimiento, Old Creek and of other 
streams, the Chorro and Los Osos, Laguna 
and San Luis, Corral de Piedra, Verdi, Ar- 
royo Grande, Ranchita, Los Berros, Nipomo 
and Oso Flaco, winding in and winding out 
among the hills, of greater or less dimensions 
and all lovely and fertile. The scenery is 
varied and picturesque; a few level plains ex- 
tending one or two miles in width, exist, but 
the country is undulating and broken, with 
precipitous peaks and rocky projections. This 
unique formation adds attractiveness and 
character to the scenery, and appears to gov- 
ern the climate, so influencing the winds as 
to modify the effects of the cool sea breeze 
of summer, and to cause a greater precipita- 
tion in winter, the rainfall being greater than 
in other southern coast counties, or in the 
agricultural counties of the interior, the aver- 
age for the past nineteen years being 20.79£ 
inches. 

COAST TOWNS. 

The most northern of the coast towns is 
San Simeon. The bay of San Simeon has, in 
past years, attracted much attention as a prob- 
able commercial port for the productions of 
the neighboring country. Mr. George Hearst, 



proprietor of the Piedras Blancas Rancho, 
which surrounds the landing, in 1878 in- 
vested a considerable sum in the improve- 
ment of the port. This year also a new 
wharf was built, to replace the old, which for 
some time previous had been inadequate to the 
needs of commerce. The new wharf began 

o 

on the northeastern side of the bay, termi- 
nating at a distance of 1,000 feet, where at 
low tide there is twenty feet of water — a 
depth sufficient for the largest merchant 
steamer. The wharf is excellently built, with 
commodious warehouses for the reception of 
goods. It cost $20,000. The building of 
this structure gave a new impetus to busi- 
ness at San Simeon. This name is applied 
also to the township, which embraces the 
northwestern part of the county, extending 
to the Monterey County line. The township 
embraces the whole of the Rancho Piedras 
Blancas, consisting of eleven Spanish leagues 
(48,000 acres), of which a very large propor- 
tion is cultivable land. While the climate 
is somewhat raw and damp, with fogs and 
winds, it is excellent for dairying purposes, 
the gra^s being always green, wherefore the 
milk production is of the the highest. Thus 
far, the chief products of • this rancho are 
butter and cheese, although the lands are ex- 
cellently adapted for the cultivation of corn, 
oats, barley, peas, and beans. 

To the north of this rancho lies the old 
property of Juan Castro, a large tract of 
grazing lands, besides 900 acres of arable 
land of very high order. On this land stands 
the Piedras Blancas Light-house, which is 
100 feet high, built of brick and iron, and 
cost $100,000. It contains a Fresnel light 
of great power, and is one of the marked 
features of the coast. 

On this coast there are a number of whal- 
ing stations — at Monterey, San Simeon, 
Point San Luis, and Point Concepcion. The 



114 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



whaling business was begun here as early as 
1864, and it has proved quite profitable. The 
least catch during the season was three whale, 
the greatest twenty-three. The whale hunts, 
conducted in open boats off these rugged 
coasts, is exciting but dangerous sport. 

CAMBKIA. 

The town of Cambria had its beginning 
about 1866. Its site was claimed as a por- 
tion of one of the large grazing ranchos, part 
of whose territory later became known as Gov- 
ernment land. The greater part of the tract 
whereon Cambria is situated is composed of 
undulating ground, rising into low, smooth 
hills, or sinking into valleys fertile though 
small, through which flow numerous stream- 
lets. Inl867theland nowoccupiedby the town 
was covered by a virgin forest of pines; and 
the lumber from these woods has created an 
industry which has done much to support 
and build up the section. As long ago as 
1869, two saw- mills worked here steadily, 
and the houses of the vicinity have been 
built from lumber of home production. 
Early in the '60's, a copper mining excite- 
ment broke out in this section, leading to 
the establishment, a year or two later, of the 
town of Cambria. In 1867, there was no 
means of communication between the village 
and the county- seat, save by private convey- 
ance. In 1868 a weekly mail service, by 
means of a spring-wagon, was instituted. 
Travel was slight, and passengers few. Within 
a year, a tri-weekly service, with a covered 
stage, replaced this, and now the patronage 
greatly increased, as the comforts of this line 
exceeded those of travel by mustang. 

Although born of the mining interests, 
Cambria survived these, basing its growth 
and prosperity upon agricultural industries. 
School-houses were built, mills were erected, 
stores were opened, and evidences of sub- 



stantial prosperity multiplied. The first 
building in Cambria proper was a store built 
by George E. Long and S. A. Pollard. 

The name of the new town was a subject of 
dispute for some time. Some of the settlers 
favored the name of Rosaville; others inclined 
to the Spanish term of Santa Rosa; and others 
insisted upon San Simeon, notwithstanding 
there was already a port of that name in the 
county. At last a compromise was effected 
upon the present name. A steady growth 
now ensued in this section, and the port of 
San Simeon became frequented by vessels 
which conveyed to market the products of the 
region. In 1871 was built near Cambria a 
cheese factory, which consumed daily 9,000 
pounds of milk, manufacturing therefrom 
1,200 pounds of cheese. One feature of the 
early history of Cambria was the co-operative 
movements of the agriculturists for mutual 
benefits, social and commercial. One of the 
phases of this development was the establish- 
ment in 1872, of the " Farmers' and Stock- 
Raisers' Co-operative Store," for the purpose 
of lessening the retail price of articles for- 
merly purchased through middlemen. This 
enterprise had a stock of $40,000, divided into 
2,000 shares at $20 each. In April, 1881, 
the weekly output of butter in the vicinity of 
Cambria was 21,900 pounds. 

The present population of Cambria is about 
300. The town contains three general mer- 
chandise stores, all carrying heavy stocks, 
'■' everything from a needle to an anchor," 
two drug stores, one variety store, one stove 
and tin shop, one blacksmith shop, five sa- 
loons, one shoe shop, two carpenter and 
undertaker shops, one butcher shop, one saw- 
mill, one hotel, and one boarding-house. 
There is a public school with two departments, a 
Presbyterian and a Catholic church, telegraph, 
express and postofHce with daily mail. The 
only brick building in the town is the Odd Fel- 



SAJi LUIS OBISPO GIUNTT. 



145 



lows' Hall, a handsome two-story structure. 
The town is picturesquely situated amidst 
pine-covered hills, and surrounded by a wide 
expanse of very fertile country. The principal 
industry continues to be dairying, and the 
section is exceedingly prosperous. 

Santa Rosa Valley is six miles long, by half 
a mile to one mile wide, and through it flows 
the Santa Rosa Creek, a living stream of pure 
water. This valley is quite thickly settled, 
and few farming localities show greater signs 
of prosperity. The rich alluvial soil appears 
adapted to the growth of almost every kind 
of grain, fruit or vegetable. At the head of 
this valley stands Mammoth Rock, a rocky 
promonotory 200 feet high, with perpendicu- 
lar sides, separated from the hills on the north 
by a narrow pass through which the Santa 
Rosa Creek runs into the valley below. It 
seems as if some tremendous force has riven 
the rocky wall, to give passage to the little 
stream skirting the mountain's rocky base. 

Passing down the coast from San Simeon 
Bay, about six miles south, was formerly 
found Leffingwell's "Wharf, a good landing 
place for small vessels, which supplied the 
neighborhood with lumber and sent out a 
portion of the native products. This wharf 
was washed away in 1881-'82. 

The next landing place is Cayucos, thirteen 
miles south of Cambria, an entrepot of con- 
siderable commercial importance, with certain 
advantages as a harbor. In the early days, 
when boats made of skins were used in plying 
between the shore and visiting vessels, those 
light canoes were called cayucos, whence the 
name of the rancho and the town. Captain 
James Cass, who came to this point in 1867, 
and engaged in the business of lightering, 
saw the necessity of a wharf, and accord- 
ingly built one; this proving inadequate, 
it was extended, making a structure 940 
feet long, extending to twenty-one feet of 



water, with a warehouse, store, steamship and 
telegraph companies' offices. Cayucos is 
now quite a thriving trade center, being sur- 
rounded by a rich dairy and farming country. 
The population is 600 to 700, of whom many 
are Swiss. The town was laid out in 1875, 
with streets 100, aud eighty feet wide. The 
beautiful belt of land between the beach and 
the hills, reaching to Morro, was surveyed 
into lots of five to ten acres each, to be occu- 
pied as homesteads, and made accessible by a 
beautiful beach road. The region about here, 
known as the Rancho Morro y Cayucos, is 
very fertile and productive. Greatly in its 
favor are its ease of access and its natural 
advantages of climate and water. There are 
hereabouts over 8,000 acres of the best dairies 
on the coast. 

The Rancho Morro y Cayucos was ac- 
quired in clear title by Don Domingo Pijol, 
by a decision of the Supreme Court of Cali- 
fornia. It was subdivided into small farms 
about 1877. Eight miles south of Cayucos is 

MORRO. 

This is a small village on the southern part 
of Estero Bay, where a lagoon extends some 
five miles inland from the sea, having a nar- 
row entrance, and forming an excellent har- 
bor for light-draught vessels. At the entrance 
of the lagoon is a wharf, receiving lumber 
from the north and produce from the interior. 
From the ocean in front of the village rises 
the Morro Rock, belonging to the National 
Government, a grand feature of natural scen- 
ery. It is a great cone, rising precipi- 
tously from the water to a height of 580 feet, 
upon a base of about forty acres. It is com- 
posed of trachyte, a valuable building mate- 
rial, which may be quarried here in large 
quantities, and loaded upon vessels with great 
convenience. The ambition of Morro is to 
have its promising harbor for light vessels 



146 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



perfected, and to become a traveling center 
by means of a road leading directly east to 
the Salinas Yalley. 

The Rancho San Miguelito, of 22,136 acres, 
borders on San Luis Obispo Bay, and includes 
the most feasible landing place. It was 
granted by the Mexican Government to Don 
Miguel Avila. In 1867, when Mr. John 
Harford built "The People's Wharf," the 
town of Avila was laid out by the Avila 
Brothers, and the prospect was fair for the 
growth of a lively village. Busy times pre- 
vailed here for a time, when two lines of 
steamers were contesting for the trade, but 
the construction of the railroad wharf in 
1873, and the transfer to it in 1875 of the 
railroad terminus deprived Avila of its busi- 
ness and its hopes of commercial importance. 

Port Harford is treated elsewhere, and the 
town of San Luis Obispo also is described 
separately. 

THE TOWN OF SAN LUIS OBISPO. 

When the county was organized, San Luis 
Obispo, the only town within its limits, con- 
sisted of a few adobe houses irregularly gath- 
ered about the Mission buildings. There was 
one main road, running southwest and north- 
east, crossing the San Luis Creek about half 
a mile below the Mission, and following up 
the right bank thereof. Except the cultivated 
grounds surrounding the Mission, all was 
open country. That main road became Mon- 
terey street, and the trail north of the Mis- 
sion became Chorro street. The first frame 
building in the county was one built by Cap- 
tain Dana in 1850, of material brought from 
Chili. Lt fronted on Monterey street, and 
stood near an ancient, large palm tree. 

Shortly after this, Captain John Wilson 
erected another frame house, a little southwest 
of the Mission, the material for it having 
been brought around Cape Horn. 



The rest of the buildings, in 1850, con- 
sisted of a two-story adobe, quite a pretentious 
building, at the corner of Monterey and 
Chorro streets, used for a restaurant and 
dance hall ; an adobe store built by Beebe & 
Pollard ; another adobe store where afterwards 
was the Tribune office; and another where the 
French Hotel stood. 

In 1851, on the site afterwards occupied by 
the Bank of San Luis Obispo, Captain Dana 
erected a large building. Its walls were of 
adobe, its roof of sheet iron; its timbers were 
hauled by oxen from the Santa Rosa Creek, 
and the flooring and doors were brought from 
the Atlantic coast. So grand an edifice was 
this then considered, that it was called " Casa 
Grande." This was the first hotel in San 
Luis Obispo, and it was the scene of festivi- 
ties on all gala days, whether of church or 
state, while on the grounds adjoining were 
held the bull-fights, bear-baiting, and other 
characteristic sports of the times and place. 
The Casa Grande was subsequently used as a 
court-house, serving in that capacity up to 
1870. 

In August, 1850, William R. Hutton was 
authorized by the court of sessions to survey 
and lay out the town of San Luis Obispo. 
He was directed to make the main street 
twenty yards wide, and all the other streets 
fifteen yards wide, while the town should 
extend to the limit of the lots. 

The question of the existence of a pueblo 
and the right to pueblo lands was a very im- 
portant one in the early history of the town. 
In 1853 the pueblo claim was presented to 
the Land Commission, and in September, 
1854, it was rejected; San Luis Obispo had 
been a recognized pueblo, and as such was 
entitled to the four leagues of land assigned 
to such entities. But the Land Commission 
rejected the claim, because they alleged there 
was not adduced sufficient proof in behalf of 



SAJV LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



147 



it. In consequence of this decision, ana the 
failure to take possession, the lands reverted 
to the public domain, and were surveyed by 
the United States government in 1867. The 
town acquired a title to only 640 acres, in 
conformity with the act of Congress of Aug- 
ust, 1867. The remainder of the pueblo 
lands were acquired by individuals under the 
United States and State land laws. 

In 1862, William C. Parker, civil engineer, 
made a map of the town after Button's sur- 
vey, which included the land northwest of the 
creek, and the streets, nearly, as at present; 
southeast of the creek, there was some culti- 
vated land, and the territory was variously 
marked as " Priests' Garden," " Marsh Land," 
" Corral," etc. 

The streets were not named, and it was not 
until some years later that any except the 
main ones were opened. 

In February, 1871, the town authorities 
received from the United States Land Office a 
certificate of purchase for the town site of the 
town of San Luis Obispo, covering the fol- 
lowing tracts of the United States land sur- 
vey: being parts of sections 26, 27, 34 and 
35 in township 30 south; range 12 east of 
Mount Diablo, base and meridian containing 
552.65 acres. This afforded a sense of great 
relief to the people of the town, who had felt 
much uneasiness on account of the uncer- 
tainty of title, whereas the United States 
patent would thenceforward give a basis of 
title, either to those in possession, receiving 
title from the town authorities, or to future 
purchasers. 

The town of San Luis Obispo was organ- 
ized under the laws of California in May, 
1859. Charles H. Johnson was president of 
the board of trustees, and Thomas 11. Ponton 
was clerk. Ordinances were passed to pro- 
vide for naming streets, keeping them in 
repair and clean, licensing business, main- 



taining order, etc. Put little attention was 
paid to the incorporation, which very nearly 
expired; but when, in 1867, the public lands 
were surveyed, the town authorities found it 
necessary to display greater energy. 

In 1874, under the provisions of an act of 
the Legislature, passed the preceding session, 
town bonds were issued to the amount of 
$10,000, bearing interest at eight per cent, 
per annum, and payable in fifteen years. 
These bonds were sold for ninety per cent, of 
their par value, and the proceeds were applied 
to the construction of bridges, street-grading, 
and other improvements of valuable and per- 
manent importance to the town. 

Py an act of the Legislature passed March 
20, 1876, the city of San Luis Obispo was 
incorporated, succeeding to all the rights, 
interests, possessions and liabilities of the 
former town. The limits of the city were 
extended; and provision was made for the 
election of city officers, legislative power 
being vested in a common council, consisting 
of five members, the mayor acting as presi- 
dent of the body. 

MODERN INSTITUTIONS. 

The city blocks are not regular in size or 
shape, and the streets, as has been seen al- 
ready, foll-jw in various instances the desul- 
tory lines of old-time roads and trails. Mon- 
terey street, so called from being a part of 
the old road from Santa Parbara to Monterey, 
winds past the old mission into the valley of 
the creek, and onward northeastward by well 
graded roads over the summit of the Santa 
Lucia mountains. This street, for the most 
part sixty feet wide, has recently been widened 
to seventy-five feet in some quarters. Var- 
ious other streets are of uneven width, ranging 
from fifty-five to sixty feet in different por- 
tions of their length, as the widening was 
left to the option of property owners. An 



148 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



ordinance passed in 1888 ordering sidewalks 
of cement, bituminous rock in some streets, 
and of gravel in others, has been largely but 
not fully carried out. 

The central addition is a very eligible por- 
tion of the town, lying on a gentle rise at the 
side of San Luis. It consists of some fifty 
acres, divided into nineteen blocks, 450 x 170 
feet, one of which is occupied by the hotel, 
the rest being divided into building lots. 
Edwin Goodall of San Francisco was the pro- 
moter of this enterprise, and the projector of 
the Ramona, but the property was purchased 
in April, 1890, by the West Coast Land 
Company, who are not putting it upon the 
market, but rather holding it back until there 
shall ensue a season of greater growth and 
prosperity. This is the only portion of San 
Luis having a satisfactory sewer system. 
The Ramona Hotel, owned by the California 
Southern Hotel Company, was opened Sep- 
tember, 1888; it cost, exclusive of thegrounds 
(that is, for the building and furniture), some 
$150,000, and it is a well-equipped and well- 
conducted hostelry. 

There are in San Luis Obispo two school- 
houses, containing twelve school-rooms, ad- 
ministered by eleven teachers. There are 
primary and grammar school courses. The 
city schools have an attendance of about 500. 

The Court school-house, in the northern 
part of the town, is an eight room frame 
building, erected at an expense of about 
$14,000. 

The Mission school, in the southern part 
of the town, is a four-roomed brick structure, 
which cost $10,000, to which may be added 
$3,000 for furnishings, etc. 

The San Luis Obispo Thomson -Houston 
Electric Light Company was incorporated 
July 29, 1889, and the circuit was opened 
in October of the same year. 

The city system comprises seven 1,200- 



candle-power masts of about fifty feet height; 
the county pays for one similar mast, and the 
Hotel Ramona for another. There are, more- 
over, between forty and fifty arc-lights and 
some 300 iucandescent lights supplied to 
stores, hotels, etc. 

The city system costs the municipality 
$70 per month. 

The value of the plant is estimated at 
$1,500. The arc-dynamo is of 1,000- volt 
current, and the incandescent of 1 ,200 volts, 
alternating currents. 

The company has four employes in San 
Luis. 

San Luis Obispo has a street railway, 
running between the railway station and the 
Ramona Hotel, with two and one-half miles 
of track, and a plant worth $20,500, employ- 
ing ten animals and four people. The com- 
pany is not incorporated; it opened opera- 
tions October 18, 1887. 

The San Luis fire department was organ- 
ized under new ordinances in 1889, and it is 
now in good working order, comprising about 
100 members, divided as follows: San Luis 
Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1; Goodwill 
Hose Company, No. 2; Vigilance Hose Com- 
pany, No. 3; and San Luis Fire Engine Com- 
pany, No. 4. The last named company owns 
a steam engine of the Silsby rotary patent, 
purchased in 1889 at a cost of $5,000. 

The sewerage of the town is performed by 
San Luis Creek, which runs through the cor- 
poration and washes away the sewage, the 
water being stored by means of dams for pur- 
poses of flushing. There are sewage conduits 
from that portion of the town about the 
Ramona Hotel, and from a few other blocks, 
leading to the creek. 

In 1886 an arrangement which cost the 
city $800, was made with George Waring, 
the celebrated engineer, to furnish plans 
for a sewage system, and he visited San 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



149 



Luis accordingly. The city was surveyed, 
but no further measures were taken. The 
execution of the plans would reqiiire an ex- 
penditure of $150,000, for which it was pur- 
posed to vote bonds of the city. The matter 
has not yet been submitted to a vote of the 
people. 

The hospital system here was organized by 
Dr. W. W. Hays, and by him so conducted 
for some years in an admirable manner. The 
present hospital was built in 1878. The 
site is some thirteen acres upon a foot-hill 
bench about a mile southeast of the town, in 
what is locally known as " the thermal belt," a 
region free from frost, where the most delicate 
semi-tropical plants can be grown successfully. 
Water from the adjacent hills is brought 
down to a reservoir, 20 x 20 x 6 feet, from 
which the house and irrigation needs are sup- 
plied. The main building is two stories 
high and fifty feet square. The lower story 
contains the reception room, physician's office 
and dispensary, the steward's room, dining 
room, kitchen, and commissary store-rooms. 
Above these are rooms designed for use by 
non-indigent patients. 

There is in the rear a ward with eight beds 
which can be augmented if needful, and in 
an adjoining building is a one-story ward 
47 x 25 x 16 feet, with the necessary closets 
sitting room, etc. 

There has been constructed lately a new 
ward of seven rooms, 75 x 26 x 16 feet, with 
porch and ten-foot lean-to, which cost $2,900. 

With this addition, the institution can 
accommodate thirty-five to forty patients. The 
present number is fourteen, all male. The 
percentage of female patients is never large. 

The establishment is well sewered, and 
supplied with hot and cold water. 

Driveways curve around the building in 
such fashion as to render the approach a 
pleasant feature. A system of drainage has 



been constructed whereby all the surface 
water running from the earth and the water 
pipes is conveyed away to irrigate the trees 
of the small orange grove. 

The gardens are well kept, being cared for 
by the stronger of the patients; the whole 
place is exquisitely neat and orderly, and the 
inmates show conscientious treatment. The 
system of purchasing supplies, etc., by whole- 
sale, is very economical; and, while the pati- 
ents are furnished abundant, wholesome and 
satisfactory food, their cost to the county is 
said to be cheaper than at any similar estab- 
lishment in the State, amounting to but 
seventeen ceDts per patient per diem. 

The hospital is under the management of 
Dr. W. W. Hays, county physician, and Mr. J. 
M. Lewis, steward, both most efficient officials. 

San Luis Obispo has two large well 
arranged and ornamented cemeteries, namely, 
the Catholic and the Odd Fellows', the last 
being the Protestant burial-place, under con- 
trol of the Odd Fellows, but having plats 
devoted to the Masons, the Jewish people, 
and the Chinese. A cemetery formerly 
existed near what is now the central part of 
the city; but as the town grew, the two 
present pantheons were laid out, and the 
bodies from old ground removed thither, 
about 1870. The Catholic cemetery occupies 
about six acres, and the Protestant twelve. 
Each contains many fine monuments, and the 
inscriptions constitute quite a history of the 
prominent pioneers, of both the Spanish and 
the American races. 

The banks of San Luis Obispo are: The 
First National Bank, founded in 1884, with 
$75,000 capital, as a private enterprise of 
Jack, Goldtree & Co. On March 1, 1888, 
it was changed to the National system, with 
a capital of $100,000, increased March, 1889, 
to $150,000. Its statement for July, 1890, 
showed a surplus of $35,000. The officers 



150 



SAM LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



are J. P. Andrews, president; Wm. L. Beebe, 
vice-president; R. E. Jack, cashier; R. W. 
Martinoff, assistant cashier. This house does 
a general banking business. 

The Commercial Bank was opened May 14, 
1888. Its paid up capital is $100,000. Its 
statement December 31, 1889, is as follows: 
Assets — cash on hand, $12,104.12; cash on 
call in other banks, $17,457.42; loans and dis- 
counts, $273,427.26; real estate, vault and 
fixtures, $8,852.21; total assets, $321,841.01; 
surplus, October, 1890, $7,500. 

Liabilities — Capital paid up, $100,000; 
surplus and profits undivided, $4,877.76; 
due banks and bankers, $5,330.21; due de- 
positors, $210,883.04; interest on certificates, 
$750. Total liabilities, $321,841.01. 

The officers are: McD. R. Yenable, presid- 
ent; L. M. Kaiser, vice-president; H. Brun- 
ner, cashier. 

In connection with this house was instituted 
in October, 1890, the California Mortgage 
and Savings Bank, capital $250,000. McD. 
Yenable, president; L. M. Kaiser, cashier; 
H. Brunner, manager. 

The Bank of San Luis Obispo has a capital 
stock of $100,000; surplus, $246,392.49. Its 
president is James L. Crittenden, its cashier, 
W. E. Stewart. 

ARROYO GRANDE. 

The township of Arroyo Grande was estab- 
lished in 1862 by the board of supervisors of 
San Luis Obispo County. It consists of a 
strip entirely across the southern end of the 
county, comprehending an area of about 300 
square miles, embracing all of that territory 
situated between the Corral de Piedra Creek 
on the north, Santa Barbara County on the 
south, the Santa Lucia Range on the east, 
and the Pacific Ocean on the west. This 
includes the valleys of the Arroyo Grande, 
Santa Maria, Cuyama, Huasna, Alamo, Dry 



Creek, Verde, Villa, and other streams. 
In this area are the old Spanish grants 
of Corral de Piedra, Pizmo, Bolsa de Che- 
misal, Santa Manuela, Arroyo Grande, 
Huasna, Nipomo, Punte de la Laguna, 
Guadalupe, Suey, and Cuyama (or parts of 
the four last), aggregating 189,668 acres, be- 
ing the chief area and nearly all the agricult- 
ural land of the township. On the upper 
waters of the Arroyo Grande and east of the 
Huasna grant, and in various nooks and 
corners, were considerable tracts of public 
lands, most of which are now occupied by 
prosperous farmers. 

The first settlement here was when the 
priests of San Luis Obispo Mission estab- 
lished, about 1780, on that portion of the 
Arroyo Grande bottom, afterward farmed by 
W. S. Jones, a garden and plantation, where 
were raised large quantities of corn, beans, 
potatoes, etc., etc., to supply the mission. 

The next settlement was the Rancho Bolsa 
de Chemisal, containing 14,335 acres,. gran ted 
to Francisco Quijada, May 11, 1837. Quijada 
and his heirs transferred the grant to Lewis 
T. Burton, he to F. Z. Branch, and Branch 
to Steele Brothers, who subdivided it in Sep- 
tember, 1873. 

The Nipomo Rancho was granted to Cap- 
tain William G. Dana, about 1838. It con- 
tained over 33,000 acres; it is now owned 
and occupied by his heirs at law. 

The Santa Manuela Rancho was granted to 
Francis Z. Branch, April 6, 1837, and Au- 
gust 22, 1842. It contained 16,954 acres, 
and passed to the hands of Branch's heirs, and 
others. 

The Pizmo Rancho, containing 8,838 acres, 
was granted to Jose Ortega, November 18, 
1840. Ortega sold to Isaac J. Sparks, he to 
John M. Price and David P. Mallagh, each 
one-half. Mallagh sold his portion to F. Z. 
Branch, and he to Steele Brothers and others. 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



151 



The Corral de Piedra Rancho was granted 
May 14, 1841, to Jose Maria Villavicencia, 
as containing 8,876 acres, which on May 28, 
1846, was extended by Governor Pio Pico to 
include " all lands included in map," which 
brought it up to about 34,000 acres. This 
sweeping grant thus absorbed the Mission 
farm on the Arroyo Grande, and the lime- 
works, which were some four miles southeast 
of the Mission church. This grant passed 
into the hands of Ramon J. Branch, W. S. 
Jones, John Corbit, Steele Brothers, and 
others. 

The Arroyo Grande Rancho, containing 
4,438 acres, granted April 25, 1842, to Zefe- 
rino Carlon, was by him transferred to F. Z 
Branch, afterwards passing into the hands of 
Steele Brothers and Wittenberg Brothers, 
who used it for dairying purposes. 

The Huasna Rancho, containing 22,190 
acres, was granted to Isaac J. Sparks, De- 
cember 8, 1843, reverting upon his death to 
his daughters, Mrs. Mark Harloe, Mrs. Amy 
Porter, and Mrs. Harkness. 

Of the Suey Rancho, of eleven leagues, 
granted to Don Mariano Pacheco, father of 
ex-Governor Pacheco, about one-third is in 
this township, arid the rest in Santa Barbara 
County. 

These vast tracts of land covered almost 
every desirable homestead in the township. 

The dry season of 1864, the trespass act, 
the United States surveys, and the proceed- 
ings of the State Board of Equalization, have 
all proved instrumental in subdividing these 
wide domains and opening them up to im- 
migration, so that, instead of the original 
eight patriarchal holdings, hundreds of 
smaller fertile farms, carefully cultivated, 
now smile and bloom for the maintenance of 
a numerous, thrifty population. 

The Arroyo Grande Valley was first 
opened for settlement in 1867-'68, when a 



blacksmith shop and a school-house were 
built on the north bank of the creek, on the 
stage road between San Luis and Santa 
Barbara. 

The growth of the settlement was neces- 
sarily slow, as the valley was then a tangled 
mass of woods and brush, almost impenetra- 
ble, save by the bear trails running through 
it, — a sort of semi-wilderness called by the 
Spanish term " monte." 

But the fertility of the soil soon demon- 
strated its merits, and what had been a dense 
and useless thicket became a famous garden- 
spot. The lands were rather high-priced for 
that time, for, while they sold at $15 to $60 
per acre, the cost of clearing averaged $100 
per acre. 

In 1876 Arroyo Grande had a school-house 
two hotels, two well supplied stores, a post- 
office, a livery and feed stable, a wheelwrio-ht 
and blacksmith shop, butcher shop, laundry, 
two saloons and many dwellings. Manufact- 
ures were well represented in the district. 
Ramon J. Branch managed for the Branch 
heirs the Arroyo Grande Hour-mills, with a 
capacity of thirty barrels per diem; and the 
water-power of this mill was used at times to 
run a small circular saw for sawing shino-les 
and small timbers; a steam grist-mill was in 
operation, as also Newsom's tannery, the 
Nipomo lime works, McDougall's asphaltum 
works, and Marsh's smithy and carriage shop. 

A decided impulse was given to the pros- 
perity of this section by the building of the 
Pacific Coast Railway and the People's Wharf 
at Pizmo, in 1881, these media of transpor- 
tation giving the producers of the valley 
competitive advantages in conveying then- 
wares to market. 

In 1882 the Arroyo Grande Irrigating 
Company was organized, and the two ditches 
thereupon constructed are capable of irrigat- 
ing 5,000 acres of land. 



152 



SAX LUIS OBISPO COUNTY 



The climate here is excellent, but diversi- 
fied. The larger valleys are subject to late 
frosts in the spring, but in the fall they are 
exempt to a remarkable degree. The smaller 
valleys are almost free from frost, and from 
extreme heat in summer. 

The soil also has great variety, and there- 
fore is quite eclectic in its products. Wheat, 
barley, oats, corn, beans, peas, peanuts, 
tobacco, garden ^vegetables of all kinds, ap- 
ples, peaches, plums, apricots, almonds, figs, 
olives, grapes, etc., are grown to perfection. 
In fruits, apricots are a never-failing staple, 
yielding 200 to 250 pounds to the tree at 
five years old; apples, 300 to 400 pounds to 
the four-year-old tree; strawberries, 16,000 
quarts per acre; peaches, plums, prunes, cher- 
ries, grapes, raspberries, blackberries, olives, 
walnuts, oranges, lemons and limes, all do 
well here. Garden vegetables do exceedingly 
well; on one acre of monte land any one of 
the following items may safely be counted 
upon as a fair yield; 4,000 pounds beans; 
25,000 pounds potatoes; 80 tons beets; 65 
tons carrots; 45 to 50 tons cabbages; 500 
hundred-weight onions; 50 tons squashes; 
12 to 14 tons alfalfa. Squashes weighing 
from 200 to 250 pounds, cabbages weighing 
60 to 95, carrots of 75 pounds' weight, are 
not uncommon prodnctions. 

On September 21, 1886, the people of this 
section met and organized a Fair Association, 
the first in the county. It held its first an- 
nual fair in October, 1886, and the second on 
October 6, 7 and 8, 1887. Among the ex- 
hibits were: — a pear weighing 1 pound 14 
ounces; a cabbage of 94 pounds, and several 
others from 50 to 80 pounds weight; pota- 
toes of 3 to 9 pounds each; carrots three 
feet long; a squash of 217 pounds weight; 
five others aggregating 822^ pounds; a 
muskmelon weighing 20^ pounds; an onion 
of 5 pounds 2| ounces; corn 15 feet high, 



ears 2 inches in diameter, 13 inches long, 
solidly filled; five quinces weighing 6 pounds 
15 ounces; 5 pears weighing 9 pounds 3 
ounces; 5 fall pippins weighing 5 pounds 10 
ounces, and many other remarkable products. 

Arroyo Grande furnished all the exhibit 
from this county at the Mechanics' Institute 
Industrial Exhibition of 1887, receiving 
special silver medal for display, diploma for 
best potatoes, and silver medal for best ap- 
ples; and also the first premium at the Six- 
teenth District Agricultural Exhibition for 
best general display of fruits and vegetables. 

As a general rule, no irrigation is required 
here, but occasionally the application of 
water saves a crop or economizes time in 
working the land. The water supply is de- 
rived from the Santa Maria River, Alamo, 
Huasna, Berros, Arroyo Grande, Pizmo, and 
Carrol de Piedra creeks, and numberless 
springs and brooks. Several of these streams 
are well stocked with trout, and salmon are 
caught often. There is never fear of a " dry 
year " here, and one of the most favorable 
features of this valley is its facility of 
irrigation. 

The village of Arroyo Grande is pleasantly 
situated on the bank of the creek under a 
range of hills. It is but three miles from 
the famous Pizmo Beach, and almost every 
house in town commands a view of the val- 
ley and the ocean. The present population 
is about 600 in the village, 1,000 in the dis- 
trict, and 1,500 in the voting precinct. 
There are three churches, Catholic, Method- 
ist and Cumberland Presbyterian, each sup- 
plied with a minister, and the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South holds monthly ser- 
vice in a hall. 

The school is the second largest in the 
county, having a fine large school -house with 
three teachers. 

There are lodges of Masons, I. O. O. F., 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



153 



G. A. K., W. R. 0., and a Good Samaritan 
Temperance order. 

There are general merchandise stores, 
mechanics' shops and professional offices to 
the usual number to be found in settlements 
of this rank. A Woman's Relief Corps was 
organized here in October, 1886. 

Arroyo Grande has a postoffice, telegraph 
office, express office, trains and mails daily 
(excepting Sunday), a newspaper, the Weekly 
Herald, a practicing physician, a pavilion 
and hall, a jeweler and photographer, a mil- 
linery store, a produce and commission mer- 
chant, two hotels, several general merchandise 
stores, and two butcher shops. 

On September 2, 1890, the Catholic church 
and parsonage here were burned, the loss be- 
ing about $6,000. The fire at one time ap- 
peared to threaten the town, and the engine 
was called out from San Luis, but it was not 
sent out, as the call was countermanded. 

nkwsom's hot sulphur springs. 

Newsom's Springs are situated in a pretty 
little natural park, at the base of a large, 
singularly formed hill of silici-calcareous 
rock, through whose summit runs a strong 
ledge of pure limestone, which it has been 
demonstrated is very valuable for making 
lime. The body of the hill is believed to be 
valuable for making cement. The hot sul- 
phur spring shows a temperature of 100 de- 
grees, and analysis of the water shows silica, 
sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, potassium 
sulphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium car- 
bonate, ferrous carbonate, alumina and sul- 
phate of magnesia, the combination showing 
the medicinal praperties. Considerable gas 
arises from the water, and arrangements have 

been made to utilize it for cooking: and heat- 
ed 

ing purposes. 

The owner of these springs has surveyed a 
plat of six acres near by, bordering the Ar- 

10 



royo Grande, which he designs to donate to 
the State, with water privileges, on condition 
of the establishment there of a technical 
school. 

They are reached by rail to Arroyo Grande, 
thence by easy stage or drive from Nipomo. 
The altitude is about 400 feet. The grounds 
and springs are well kept. The ocean beach 
road affords a superb drive. There is always 
bathing, fishing and clamming. Hotel and 
cottages for guests. 

The climate is almost perpetual sunshine. 
On the place are three principal springs, 
whose waters range in temperature from 40° 
F. to 100° F., flowing some 49,000 gallons 
per hour. The waters are salino sulphureted, 
and have considerable reputation in the treat- 
ment of old, chronic rheumatism, and gout, 
catarrhal affections of the bladder and bowels, 
skin diseases, etc. For uterine troubles the 
hot sulphur douche has been of great benefit. 
There are warm and hot plunge and tub 
bathing facilities. The following is the state- 
ment of an analysis made by Dr. Winslow 
Anderson, 1888: 

Temperature, 100.5° F. 
U. S. gallon contains — 

Grains. 

Sodium chloride 4.10 

'• carbonate 1.75 

" sulphate 3.92 

Potassium carbonate 15.00 

" sulphate 2 90 

Magnesium carbonate (i-41 

" sulphaie 2.47 

Calcium carbonate 8.25 

" sulphate 76 

Ferrous carbonate 3.98 

Alumina 33 

Silica 2.03 

Organic matter 27 

Total solids 37.32 

Gases- 
Cubic inches. 

Free carbonic anhydride 14.90 

" sulphureted hydrogen 3.56 



15-1 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



Four miles westward is the 



PIZMO BEACH, 



a stretch of twenty miles of sand along the 
ocean shore, popular as a drive and resort for 
bathing and pleasure. Near this is the sur- 
veyed route of the Southern Pacific Railroad, 
and along the beach have been laid out the 
towns of Pizmo and Grover, expecting to 
grow into prominence as coast watering 
places upon the completion of the railroad. ■ 

LOS BERKOS 

is a village of recent growth, being in a 
pretty and fertile valley of that name, on 
the Pacific Coast Railway, three miles from 
Arroyo Grande, and the same from Nipomo. 
The land was formerly the property of Mr. 
"William G. Dana, and purchased of him by 
Messrs. C. R. Callender and J. W. Smith, 
who also purchased several thousand acres of 
the Nipomo rancho, laying out the town site 
and subdividing the ranch into farming lots 
of various areas, which are offered for sale. 
These surveys have been made during the 
present year, and a village with several hand- 
some residences, a store of general merchan- 
dise, a postoffice and hotel are there, and re- 
cently an election was held which voted to 
expend $1,500 for building a school-house. 
A block of the village lands has been devoted 
for the purpose of the school. All the neigh- 
boring land is very fertile, and when occupied 
will afford ample support for a pleasant and 
thriving village. 

NIPOMO 

is a village of recent growth, on the line of 
the Pacific Coast Railway, nine miles south 
of Arroyo Grande. This is upon the Nipo- 
mo grant, made by the Mexican government 
to William G. Dana in 1838, and recently 
subdivided and in part sold by the grantee's 
heirs. The grant was one of the first made 



in this county, and as may be presumed the 
first selection was an exceedingly choice tract. 
The village is but two years of age, and so 
rapidly is it growing that an estimate of it? 
population is hardly likely to approach accu- 
racy, although it is estimated at 700. There 
are two hotels, two large stores, a newspaper, 
the Nipomo JYews, ar.d many handsome resi- 
dences. The village is well supplied with 
water by a system of water-works, with reticu- 
lation pipes through all the houses. 

THE EASTERN PORTION OF SAN LUIS 
OBISPO COUNTY. 

East of the Santa Lucia Mountains is a 
large area comprising about three-fifths of 
the county, being included in the Salinas 
Township, which by the census of 1880 had 
a population of 1,209, and San Jose Town 
ship, which had 872; thus this district had 
2,081, or about one person to the square 
mile, in a total county population of 9,142. 
Between the Carriso Plain, already described, 
and the Tulare Valley, extends the southern 
end of the Monte Diablo Range, a line of 
low sandstone mountains, generally treeless^ 
trending northwest and southeast, which con- 
stitute the division line between this and 
Kern County. Westward a low ridge sepa- 
rates the plain from the San Juan Valley, 
and one of its branches, Carriso Valley; and 
on the northwest a like barrier lies between 
the plain and the main Estrella River. The 
streams are 200 or 300 feet below the general 
level of Carriso Plain. 

The San Juan is the southern branch of 
the Estrella River, albeit the summer season 
finds only occasional pools in its broad, sandy 
channel. The rains convert this into a verit- 
able river, fifty to 100 yards wide, running 
through small valleys and hills softly rounded, 
clothed in a luxuriant growth of altilaria, 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNT Y. 



155 



wild oats, bunch-grass and flowering shrubs. 

This section is a paradise to the stockman, 
being devoted almost entirely to pasturage. 
Nevertheless, its resources would suffice for 
varied industries. There is here much oak 
timber, the soil is very fertile, there are min- 
eral springs, ore-bearing rocks, and diverse 
elements to support a large population. 

This valley may be considered as including 
the following tracts: That section between 
the San Jose Range and tbe Carriso Plain: 
the ranchos Las Chimeneas and Avenales in 
the southern part; La Panza and the mining 
district in tbe central part; and La Corneta 
or Comate, California, and San Juan Capis- 
trano in the north. 

Among the old settlers were: John Gil- 
key, on the Comate, murdered in 1858; Bara- 
tie and Borel, on the San Juan Capistrano, 
murdered in 1858; Philip Biddle, Robert G. 
Flint, James Mitchell, Joseph Zumwalt, D. 
W. James and John D. Thompson, all of 
whom located there twenty to thirty-five years 
since. 

In the northern portion of this section is 

SAN MIGUEL. 

The Mission of San Miguel Arcangel was 
established July 25, 1797, being the sixteenth 
in order of date in Alta California. Its site 
was in the midst of wide reaches of grazing 
land, on the west bank of the Salinas, just 
below where this river receives the Estrella. 
The two streams here run through broad 
valleys, where flourish willows, cotton woods, 
sycamores, oaks and other trees. 

This Mission is thirty-four miles north of 
the city of San Luis Obispo, and some four 
miles south of the connty line between this 
and Monterey. 

San Miguel, like most of the twenty-one 
mission establishments, is the site of a flour- 
ishing settlement of later times. This place 



was never quite abandoned, and even during 
the unsettled times of the American occupa- 
tion a few Mexican settlers kept their abode 
in the decaying habitations of the mission 
buildings. Its position on the main — if not 
the only— road, between the northern and 
the southern settlements, gave San Miguel a 
certain importance as a station, where an 
eating-house, etc., were established. The 
population was of course small for many 
years. On the vote upon the new constitu- 
tion, in 1879, San Miguel precinct cast 
thirty-four votes. About 1876 a certain de- 
gree of activity begau here; the old mission 
buildings were fitted up for a hotel, and vari- 
ous shops and other enterprises were opened. 
In 1877 the population was reckoned at 
thirty, and there were fifteen buildino-s, in- 
cluding a school-house, postoffice, express 
office, store, blacksmith shop, carriage shop, 
and two saloons. This year was a "dry 
season," and two-thirds of the sheep and 
cattle from this grazing country either died 
or were driven away to more favorable past- 
ures, and a brief revival of prosperity the 
following year was followed by drouths again 
in 1879. 

An excitement arose here in 1881, over 
the expectation of the immediate building of 
a portion of I he Atlantic & Pacific Railway 
through the district. 

Since the actual advent of a railroad, San 
Miguel, which is the most northerly town on 
the line in this county, has taken an import- 
ant rank hereabouts, standing as the second 
point in the county, before it fell behind 
Arroyo Grande. The population is now be- 
tween 400 and 500; there is a money-order 
postoffice, a $10,000 school-house, a news- 
paper — the Weekly Messenger — and a very 
full complement of business honses, stores, 
shops, professional men, etc. 

The Bank of San Miguel, on October 2G, 



156 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY 



1889, reported its assets and its liabilities 
each as $87,966.51. 

The Episcopal church at San Miguel, com- 
pleted in 1884, cost $1,200, and is a hand- 
some Gothic structure, with a seating capacity 
of 100. It is said to be the handsomest 
church building in the county. 

The Mission church still stands, — an im- 
mense structure, 230 feet long, forty-four 
wide, with a height to the eaves of forty-five 
feet, and walls seven feet thick of concrete. 
There remains a portion of the wing, once 
400 feet long, and until about a year since 
there still existed the ruins of the former 
dwelling-houses of the neophytes, which 
covered an area of more than forty acres. 
The quaint old church on its adjacent ruins 
constitutes a very picturesque feature of the 
village, a vivid contrast of the medieval 
period with the present. The floor of the 
church is of brick, or tile, as is a broad front 
porch. The inner walls are plastered and 
frescoed, to represent a gallery with pillars, 
the colors now appearing as fresh as when 
newly painted. The sacred ornaments of 
this church have survived all the vicissitudes 
and spoliations which the venerable pile has 
suffered. Over the altar in the western end 
stands the patron saint, Michael the Arch- 
angel, life size and handsomely depicted, 
gorgeously arrayed in gold and crimson, hold- 
ing aloft his sword of light, beneath a broad 
banner on which is emblazoned the all-seeing 
eye from which radiate rays of light. To 
the right of the altar stands the brightly- 
painted statue of St. Joseph, holding the in- 
fant Jesus in one arm and bearing on the 
other the shepherd's staff. Opposite stands 
the statue of St. Francis de Assisi, the 
founder of the order of Franciscan monks, 
under whose charge were established the 
missions of California. Beside the altar is a 
painting of St. John the Evangelist, with 



one foot resting upon a skull. There are 
also other paintings of various sacred sub- 
jects, generally in bright colors, and these, 
with the bright altar ornaments, form a vivid 
contrast with the neglect, decay and ruin 
seen elsewhere about the old mission. The 
many small pictures hung on the walls are 
dimly seen in the faint light, and the thick- 
ness of the walls keeps the atmosphere gen- 
erally in a chilly, cellar-like condition; the 
windows are few, small and high out of 
reach. Services are held fortnightly in this 
church. 

THE PASO EOBLES HOT SPRINGS 

take their name from the rancho on which 
they are found, El Paso de Robles (the Pass 
of Oaks). They are about thirty miles north 
of San Luis Obispo and sixteen miles from 
the Pacific ocean, in the beautiful valley of 
the Salinas River, which the Santa Lucia 
range protects from the cold sea winds and 
fogs. For miles around the springs stretch 
level plains, now and then broken by low 
hills, and shaded by graceful groups of white 
and live oaks — a charmingly picturesque 
setting for the springs whose curative waters 
have become famous. 

The missionaries and early Spanish pio- 
neers, and the Indians before them, knew the 
health-giving qualities of these waters and 
benefited by them. Pnor to American occu- 
pation the principal spring had been rudely 
walled in with logs, the better to fit it for 
bathing purposes, this being done before the 
founding of San Miguel Mission. It is de- 
clared that even the wild beasts of the forest 
came to profit by these waters, and stories are 
told of an immense grizzly that was in the 
habit of plunging into the pool nightly, 
adding to the joys of his bath by swinging 
himself up and down by the low-growing 
branch of a great cottonwood that grew near 
by, extending its limbs over the water. 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



157 



The Paso de Robles Rancho, including the 
springs, was purchased in 1857 by D. D. 
Blackburn, James EL. Blackburn and Lazare 
Godchaux. The springs at that time were in 
the condition in which the missionaries had 
left them, with no sign of improvements by 
the decaying logs of the old abutment placed 
there many years before, while the thickly- 
strewn bear-tracks added to the general air 
of desolation. From such a condition as 
this has grown the present settlement of 820 
population, supplied with an excellent hotel 
and annex cottages, with postoffice, express 
and telegraph offices, billiard halls, etc., — in 
short all the modern improvements for the 
convenience of visitors. 

The chemical analysis of the principal Hot 
Spring, as made by Professors Price and 
Hewston, of San Francisco, is as follows: — ■ 
Temperature, 110° Fahrenheit. One impe- 
rial gallon, of 7,000 grains, contains — 

GRAINS. 

Sulphureted Hydrogen Gas 4.45 

Free Carbonic Acid Gas 10.50 

Sulphate of Lime 3.21 

Sulphate of Potassa 88 

Peroxide of Iron 36 

Alumina 22 

Silica 44 

Sulphate of Soda (Glauber's Salts) 7.85 

Bi-Carbonate of Magnesia 92 

Bi-Carbonate of Soda 50.74 

Iodides and Bromides Traces. 

Organic Matter 1.64 

93.44 

The great and distinctive feature of Paso 

de Robles is the Mud Bath, whose analysis 

is as follows: Temperature, 140° Fahrenheit. 

One gallon, of 7,000 grains, contains — 

GRAINS. 

Sulphureted ( Hydrogen Gas 3.28 

Carbonic Acid Gas 47.84 

Sulphate of Lime 17.90 

Sulphate of Potossa Traces 

Sulphate of Soil a 41.11 

Silica 1.11 

Carbonate of Magnesia 3.10 



GRAINS. 

Carbonate of Soda 5.21 

Chloride of Sodium 96.48 

Organic Matter 3.47 

168.30 

There are several other springs, such as 
the Sand Spring, the Soda, the White Sul- 
phur and the Iron or Chalybeate Spring. 

Paso de Robles, the town, dates from 
1886. The present population is rated 
at 820. 

The Paso de Robles Rancho has been sub- 
divided, and its lots are now offered for sale 
by the West Coast Land Company. 

Lots eighteen and nineteen of the subdi- 
vision were reserved and laid out for the 
town of 

TEMPLETON. 

These lots embrace 160 acres, of which 100 
are on a level plateau, twenty or twenty-five 
feet against the Salinas River. This site is 
covered with oak timber, and is one of the 
most picturesque spots in the county. Pre- 
vious to the completion of the railroad to this 
point this region of country was but a vast 
cattle range. In March, 1886, the West 
Coast Land Company was formed with a cap- 
ital of $500,000, and purchased the Sauta 
Isabel and the Eureka ranchos, and portions 
of the Paso de Robles and the Huer-Huero 
ranchos, comprising a compact and contigu- 
ous body of 63,000 acres of land, equal to 
any in the State for cereals, fruits, vines, 
grasses or almost any product of California. 
This immense body of 500 square miles of 
territory was at once surveyed and subdivided 
into small tracts and the town laid off. It 
was at first called Crocker, which name was 
shortly changed to Templeton. Within 
ninety days after its foundation Templeton 
contained one extensive and two smaller but 
quite respectable hotels, three general mer 
chandise stores and two more in immediate 



158 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



prospect, a handsome and well-stocked drug 
store, a very neat structure for the office of 
the West Coast Land Company, a well- 
supplied meat market, a shoeshop, two black- 
smith shops, five saloons, a billiard saloon, a 
large lumber yard, a sash and blind shop, 
several building and painting establishments, 
two barber- shops, a public hall, a postoffice 
with daily mail service and probably twenty- 
five to thirty dwelling houses. The intel- 
lectual and educational wants of the com- 
munity are provided' for by a weekly 
newspaper with a good circulation and adver- 
tising patronage, and the Templeton Insti- 
tute, with a good pupilage in its primary 
department, and prepared to receive students 
in the higher and collegiate departments. 
The railroad buildings consist of a handsome 
depot and freight warehouse, a turn-table and 
round-house and other appointments of a 
first-class station, provided with telegraphic 
and express facilities. The religious want is 
attended to by an excellent Presbyterian 
clergyman who, with his family, resides in 
the town, and a Sunday-school with a good 
attendance of scholars and teachers is held 
every Sunday in the building of the primary 
department of the Templeton Institute. 

The establishment of a brickyard gives an 
added impetus to building, as clay of a very 
superior quality is abundant almost within 
the town limits, and wood is very cheap. 

THE KANCHO SANTA MARGARITA 

has been noted for its fertility since the days 
of its tillage by the Mission fathers. It con- 
sists of a tract perhaps eight or nine miles 
long by two wide, in the form of a valley — 
the bottom lands along the Salinas River. It 
was granted to Joaquin Estrada, and to him 
afterwards confirmed and patented. During 
the Mexican regime it was given up to graz- 
ing. The surroundings were very wild, and 



bears were frequent visitors to the rancho 
houses. 

The San Jose Valley, once called the 
Rancho San Jose, lies about twenty miles 
east from San Luis Obispo, and southeast of 
the Santa Margarita Rancho. It was sup- 
posed that Don Ynocente Garcia had a grant 
for the whole of the land in this valley, to the 
extent of five or six leagues. Later on, he 
decided to treat the place as Government 
land, and recorded possessory claims upon 
the best of the tract, finding that he had only 
applied for the grant, no action having been 
taken upon his petition. The land here is 
fertile, and the climate warmer than nearer 
the coast. Corn ; beans, etc., are raised un- 
irrigated. The cultivated land is of greater 
than a township area; the postoffice is Pozo 
(a hole or well), from the form of the valley. 

On the headwaters of the Atascadero is the 
Eagle Rancho, purchased in 1876 by Mr. A. 
F. Benton, a settler in this county since '69. 
He raised here a great number of hogs, this 
industry being favored by the existence of 
marshy places and oak groves. The many 
grizzly bears, however, were a great obs acle 
to the entire success of this industry. The 
existence of this "big game" gave the rancho 
a great reputation amongst hunters. Among 
others, Baron Yon Schroder was attracted 
thither, and, after a long sojourn amidst the 
game-infested mountains, he purchased the 
rancho, upon which he has since expended a 
good deal of money, to make of it a country 
resort for himself and his friends. The 
rancho comprises some 500 acres, extending 
through several small valleys, and command- 
ing an extensive range of pasturage, over 
adjoining public and railroad lands not de- 
sirable for cultivation. Upon a small knoll 
in the first valley is built a handsome dwell- 
ing, surrounded by drives and avenues lead 
ing to the neighboring falls and grottoes. 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



159 



The water supply, difficult to secure at this 
altitude of 1,500 feet, was obtained through 
tunnels, tapping large springs from which an 
abundant supply is had. Perhaps the largest 
prune orchard in the world is that upon this 
rancho, which contains something over 200 
acres, growing in a fine rich slate loam. Ten 
tons of dried fruit, grown on these young 
trees three years after planting, took the first 
premium at the Mechanics' Institute Fair for 
1889, in San Francisco, as the best French 
prunes raised in California. It ie estimated 
that the yield of this orchard for 1890 will 
reach five tons to the acre, worth seven 
cents per pound, or $700 per acre, four years 
after planting. A short distance from this 
place are the Falls of the Atascadero, where 
the scenery is exceedingly wild and pictur- 
esque. The canon is spanned by a massive 
dyke of serpentine and trachyte, over which 
leaps the stream to a fall of about forty feet, 
in several cascades, of which the highest is 
twenty feet. The stream in very low water 
is about four feet wide, and three or four 
inches in depth. From below the falls the 
rocky banks rise perpendicularly to over 
100 feet, clad in beautiful ferns and shrub- 
bery. 

As the valley of the Salinas stretches 
northward toward its junction with the Es- 
trella, the mountains sink into rolling hills, 
bearing groves and clumps of oaks, while the 
streams are fringed with willow, sycamore 
and cottonwood. On the left bank of the 
Salinas are the ranchos Asuncion, Atascadero, 
Paso de Pobles, and ex- Mission of San 
Miguel, and on the right bank are the Eu- 
reka, Santa Ysabel and Huer-Iiuero; the set- 
tlement of the Estrella is on the banks of that 
stream, and the Cholame Pancho is in the 
northeastern part of the county. On the 
western slope, opposite Von Schroder's, in 
Van .Ness Canon, Hon. Frank McCoppin, ex- 



mayor of San Francisco, has a vineyard of 
over 30,000 choice vines, four or five years 
old, bearing heavily. 

Farther south, on the western slope, on the 
headwaters of the Arroyo Grande, A. B. Has- 
brouck has a vineyard of over 30,000 vines, 
which produce an abundance of the most 
luscious grapes from which most excellent 
wine is made. There are many other small 
vineyards and orchards throughout the range, 
but the above are mentioned as examples. In 
the many valleys and slopes of this grand 
range these vineyards and orchards may be 
multiplied indefinitely, and with a success 
challenging the most favored or noted region 
of the State, or of the world. 

Hasbrouck's Rancho is located twenty-two 
miles from San Luis, on the main southern 
road to Steele's. The Santa Manuela grant 
of 16,955 acres crosses and occupies a wide 
extent of this valley. Between it and the 
Arroyo grant was a strip of a mile or more 
of Government land, now owned and occu- 
pied by well-to-do settlers. The Arroyo 
Grande grant, of about 4,500 acres of the 
Panchita, embraces different branches of 
he stream for about four miles, about 1,500 
acres being arable. This was leased by the 
Steele Brothers to Mr. Hasbrouck, who oc- 
cupied it for a number of years, brought a 
large area under cultivation, and finally, in 
1883, purchased the land at the stated price 
of $27,000. In 1880, Mr. Hasbrouck had 
bought of A. C. McCleod, the Musick heirs 
and others, a large tract of excellent pasturage 
similar to the Ranchita, where he has made 
his home. Here is the postoffice named Mu- 
sick. The dairy here is a mo lei institution, 
the building appointments being admirably 
adapted to their purpose. The dairy is 
mainly devoted to cheese-making, and sev- 
eral hundred cows are kept, each yielding an 
estimated product of $55.00 per annum. The 



1G0 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



grounds of Mr. Hasbrouck's rancho are 
splendidly kept, and are a noted show-place 
in this district. Two miles south of Musick 
rises Mt. Hasbrouck, a cone-like bald moun- 
tain which is one of the highest peaks of the 
Santa Lucia range. 

THE SOUTHERN BORDER, 

The Santa Maria River, which in its upper 
part bears the name of Cuyama, forms 
the southern boundary of the county, sepa- 
rating it from Santa Barbara. The Cuyama 
Valley is an extensive region, stretching like 
a division between two systems of geological 
formations from the Mojave Desert on the 
east to the Pacific Ocean on the west. The 
greater portion of the region is unoccupied or 
devoted to grazing, and its resources unknown 
and undeveloped. It opens a feasible rail- 
road route from the high interior to the coast, 
and when such a road is constructed an un- 
doubtedly valuable section will be opened. 
A few streams run from the Santa Lucia to 
the Cuyama, as the Alamo, Huasna, Suey and 
others, and on these are valuable ranches, the 
Huasna grant of five leagues and the Suey of 
the same, being of these, and with the Santa 
Margarita and the speculative pnrchases the 
principal ones of the county not subdivided. 
North and east of these grants the land was 
all public, there being much yet remaining 
unsurveyed and unoccupied, yet very suitable 
for culture and grazing. Upon the Suey, the 
property of Messrs. Newhall, of San Fran- 
cisco, large quantities of wheat are produced, 
and oranges, lemons and grapes are grown 
successfully. 

THE SALINAS VALLEY. 

Opposite the head of the Alamo, in the 
Santa Lucia range, is the source of the Salinas, 
which runs northwesterly through San Luis 



Obispo and Monterey counties to the Bay 
of Monterey. This collects the waters of 
the greater portion of 'the eastern section 
of the county. A large number of streams 
empty into the Salinas, making it a mighty 
torrent in seasons of heavy rains. 

The region of the Salinas, or that east of 
the Santa Lucia range, comprises about 
1,100,000 acres, of which fully two-thirds is 
vacant, held for speculation or occupied for 
nothing more than grazing purposes. It ap- 
pears almost incredible that such a vast area 
should, at this date, lie an unoccupied waste 
if it is susceptible of profitable cultivation. 
But such things have been in other parts of 
California, and the condition s r ill exists in the 
southeastern part of San Luis Obispo County. 
Until within the last two or three years the 
same condition obtained in the northeastern 
part of the county, but this has been partly 
changed by the incoming of a large number 
of settlers on public lands, and the sub- 
division and sale of the great ranchos of Huer- 
Huero, Eureka, Santa Ysabel and Paso 
Robles, influenced by the construction of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad in that quarter. 

The writer has traversed a greater portion 
of this region, and noticed the uniform good 
character of the soil, the abundant herbao-e, 
the many large trees and density of chapparal, 
or the broad plains ready for the plow, and 
wondered at its lack of occupancy. 

The chief reason, however, why it is not 
thickly settled is, undoubtedly, because of its 
distance from railroad communication. This 
lack will probably be supplied in the near 
future. 

The principal valleys of this region are the 
San Jose, Santa Margarita and Salinas along 
the latter river; the Carriso, La Pauza and San 
Juan along the last named stream, the Es- 
trella on the Estrella River, the ELuer-Huero, 
Cholame, Pala Prieta and other smaller val- 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



161 



leys in the north, and the great plains of the 
Estrella and Elkhorn in the southeast. 

Across the Santa Lucia to the eastward is 
the Carriso Plain, already described, in whose 
southeastern part is one of the most interest- 
ing objects in California. This is the anti- 
quarian monument known as 

THE PAINTED KOCK. 

Conical in shape, it rises abruptly from the 
plain to a height of about 140 feet, on one of 
whose sides is an opening twenty feet wide; 
extending to 120 feet on the inner side, 
where it expands to a length of 225 feet, 
forming a grand natural room or hall, open 
to the sky, — a veritable majestic temple of the 
wilderness. 

It is evident that this great chamber was 
used by some pre-historic people for purposes 
of worship or of council, as is evinced by the 
strange paintings upon the inner face of the 
walls. These paintings are done in pigments 
ot three colors, red, white and black, still dis- 
tinct after exposure to the weather through 
untold ages. The strange characters and 
figures there depicted with evident careful 
design somewhat remotely resemble the 
hieroglyphics of Egypt or the picture writings 
of Yucatan and other portions of Mexico, 
being homogeneous with the other aborig- 
inal paintings found in various portions of 
Southern California. In other parts of this 
county, as in that of Santa Barbara, are found 
other "painted rocks," of similar origin, but 
none so grand or so interesting as this great 
natural temple of the Carriso Plain. 

This plain is separated from the Tulare 
Valley by the Monte Diablo range of moun- 
tains, and from the San Juan Valley by a low 
ridge. The small valleys and rounded hills 
here are clothed in wild oats, alfilaria, and 
bunch-grass. This valley has been much 
settled up of late years. 



THE MONTE DIABLO 

range of mountains runs along the eastern 
boundary of the county, separating it from 
Kern County and the Tulare Valley. A 
range of uplifted sandstone divides the San 
Juan Valley from the Carriso Plain, and 
between the San Juan and the Salinas is the 
La Panza range, quite prominent mountains, 
with gold placers in many of its gulches, 
which are mined with fair remuneration. 
The greater portion of the country is of rolling 
hills, with scattering oaks, giving it a very 
pleasant and park-like appearance. The 
beauty and resources of this section cannot 
be fully described in the limits of this article. 
Throughout the region, wherever tried, 
fruit in many varieties and of the finest quality 
is grown. At the recent county fair held in 
the city of San Luis Obispo, peaches, apples, 
pears and grapes of superb appearance and 
quality, were on exhibition from the vicinity 
of Poza on the upper Salinas. This is an 
elevated region, and the production is an 
evidence that the very best of the most deli- 
cate and valuable fruits can be grown through 
every limit and extreme of the county. 

CREEKS. 

Southeastward from the old Mission of 
San Miguel, the valley of the Estrella Creek 
stretches toward the mountains dividino- San 
Luis from Kern County. This large tract 
until very recently was unoccupied and useless, 
save as grazing ground for a few cattle and 
sheep. Up to the '70's it was regarded as a 
portion of some Mexican grant; then the dis- 
covery was made that this was Government 
land, open to settlement, and, while bare in 
appearance, of great fertility of soil, and well 
adapted to agriculture. Thus a rapid immi- 
gration set in, settlements were made, school- 
houses built, and a vast change effected 
Good crops were had in 187G and 1878, and 



162 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



by 1880 at least forty families had settled 
upon this wide and fertile tract. In 1887 the 
total acreage in wheat and barley, from Santa 
Margarita on the south to San Miguel on the 
north, and from Paso de Robles to Sheid's, 
was 8,625 acres, of which thirteen-sixteenths 
was wheat. The land here is a rich, sandy 
loam, sparsely covered with nutritious grasses, 
and with live-oak and white-oak trees scat- 
tered at intervals. Water is had at an aver- 
age depth of thirty feet. 

Las Tablas Creek rises in the hills near the 
Hot Springs and flows northwesterly into the 
Nacimiento. The fertile tract along its val- 
ley supports a quite considerable population, 
chiefly engaged in grazing and farming. 
This region is somewhat elevated, its soil 
mostly a black adobe, very fruitful, and its 
grazing facilities excellent. Mining, too, has 
helped the various settlements in this dis- 
trict, as several important quicksilver mines 
have been located and worked hereabouts. 
Adelaide is the postoffice for this region, and 
the postal facilities are well maintained. In 
schools and churches, also, Las Tablas has 
taken an advanced position. 

RANCHOS. 

Between the Salinas and the Estrella are 
the ranch os Santa Ysabel, Huer-Huero, and 
Eureka, aggregating about 70,000 acres. 

The Santa Ysabel consists of 20,200 acres, 
adjoining the Rancho Paso de Robles at the 
northeast. For ten miles the Southern Paci- 
fic Railway runs along and within one-fourth 
mile of its boundary. It is covered with white 
and live-oak timber, although less thickly 
than the Paso de Robles. There are, sub- 
stantially, 16,000 acres of plow land, the 
rest fruit and grazing land. The soil is rich 
and deep, and will produce wheat of the 
finest, barley, oats, corn, all fruits and vines, 
and olives. Wine and raisin-making will, 



no doubt, be important industries of this sec- 
tion. On this rancho are twenty miles of run- 
ning water, besides numerous living springs- 
Well water is had at ten to forty feet deep. 

The Huer-Huero adjoins the Santa Ysabel 
and the Eureka on the east. It comprises 
8,000 acres of valley, 23,000 acres of level 
and rolling farming lands, and 15,000 acres 
of hill grazing lands. In two years, 34,000 
acres were sold to settlers, mostly of wealth 
and position, and the region is thickly settled. 
Wheat, olives, fruit and vines have been 
planted. About 12,000 acres of this rancho 
are still unsold. 

The Eureka Rancho adjoins Santa Y r sabel 
on the south, and Paso de Robles on the east, 
comprising about 11,000 acres, of which 
some 9,500 acres are plow land, and 1,500 
grazing. This rancho has a rich, deep soil, 
and is well watered, and wooded with white 
and live oak. 

These three ranchos last-named were pur- 
chased two or three years since by the West 
Coast Land Company, and have been sub- 
divided and put upon the market by this 
company, which already has founded the 
promising town of Templeton, and settled up 
a great deal of country hitherto unoccupied. 

In the extreme northeastern part of the 
county is the great Cholame Rancho, com- 
prising 26,622 acres, long the property of 
Messrs. R. E. Jack and Frederick Adams, 
who have used it mainly as a sheep range. 
It is similar in its features to the region just 
described, and is a valuable property. It ex- 
tends over the boundary line into Monterey 
County. 

As an evidence of progress, the develop- 
ment of the Huer-Huero may be cited. This 
tract of land, comprising about 48,000 acres, 
was regarded as an exhausted sheep range, and 
less than four years ago was sold at $3 an 
acre. Mr. J. V. Webster, an experienced 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



163 



horticulturist of Alameda County, purchased 

a large area and soon commenced its cultiva- 
te 

tiou. At the county fair, in the middle of 
October, 1888, he exhibited from the land 
grapes of the most choice varieties in large 
bunches. Also fig and peach trees of six feet 
growth in the last six months; samples of 
amber sugar cane, yielding at the rate of 
144,000 pounds per acre, and sorghum at the 
rate of 175,000 pounds per acre. He also 
exhibited hops of exceedingly thrifty and rich 
growth, flax of good quality, melons, squashes 
and a great variety of products grown without 
irrigation, but with good cultivation. 

This deteil could be carried on to a tedious 
extent, and is only introduced to illustrate 
what can be done on lands called a desert, 
simply because it was the stupid custom to 
follow the expression of some very stupid 
man. 

In this region is the little village of Cres- 
ton with two stores, hotel, school, postoftice, 
shops, saloons, and residences, with many 
thrifty farms in the vicinity, all where four 
years since existed only a wilderness. 

RESOURCES. 

AGRICULTURE. 

San Luis Obispo County with over 2,000,- 
000 acres of land, offers to the farmer un- 
equaled inducements to pursue his calling 
within its domains, as at least three-fourths 
of that number of acres is adapted to general 
farming, and is particularly suited for the 
raising of grain; as in other places there are 
certain portion of the county especially 
desirable for grain; in the northern portion, 
and east of the Santa Lucia range, fully 
200,000 to 300,000 acres of land will bring 
to the cultivator thereof a rich return, the 
soil being rich and deep, and though in parts 
mountainous, is mainly composed of good 



rolling and valley lands, embraced within the 
districts known as the San Jose Valley, the 
Cholame, and the Ranchos Eureka and Santa 
Ysabel, Paso Robles, Iluer-Huero and Santa 
Margarita and Salinas Townshps. 

The country surrounding the city of San 
Luis Obispo, north and south, in the Osos 
Valley, is also a rich, grain-producing region, 
comprising many thousand acres. The aver- 
age yield of wheat is forty-five bushels to the 
acre and of oats 150 bushels to the acre. 

Around Arroyo Grande and Nipomo, is 
found, probably, as rich land as lies in any 
other portion of the county, and possibly the 
best soil is in these portions. That at Arroyo 
Grande is particularly fine for beans, a very 
remunerative and easily handled product, and 
an industry constantly increasing, the yield 
being in 1886 nearly 105,000 bushels, and in 
1887 in advance of any yield heretofore 
had ; the average yield of beans being forty 
bushels to the acre. 

The county possesses one advantage over 
other southern counties which an eastern 
man will appreciate; Ave refer to the immense 
water facilities, and moreover the fact that 
irrigation is never needed; from north to 
south on an average of every six or seven 
miles, perennial streams flow to the ocean. 
With the advent of the railroad easy and ac- 
cessible shipping points are had; the towns 
of San Miguel, Paso Robles and Templeton 
on the Southern Pacific Railroad are the 
centers for large agricultural districts, and 
their shipping points for San Francisco. 

San Luis Obispo receives from the sur- 
rounding country, shipments by the Pacific 
Coast Railway, which also brings the products 
of Nipomo and Arroyo Grande and the south- 
ern portion of the county to Port Harford, 
where the Pacific Coast Steamship Company 
receives for both north and south. A grow- 
ing industry is the raising of alfalfa, which 



1G4 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



requires a moist, rich soil. Alfalfa is being 
raised all over the county; it requires to be 
cat five times during the year, averaging two 
tons to the acre at each cutting. All grasses 
for feed and general use are raised in abund- 
ance; timothy, clover, etc., are found in many 
portions of the county and grow as luxuri- 
antly as in any portion of the East. 

Potatoes yield abundantly, averaging over 
200 bushels to the acre, equal to the finest 
grown in Utah, varying in price from 80 
cents to $2 per 100 pounds, according to the 
season. They are of large size, white, mealy 
and delicious. 

All kinds of garden vegetables, such as 
beets, peas, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, tur- 
nips, onions, etc., are successfully and pro- 
fitably cultivated, the crop is enormous, the 
quality good, and the market for all that is 
not needed at home is sure and at paying 
prices. 

Nearly every farmer has his garden well 
stocked with all kinds of vegetables. 

Cabbages are raised weighing ninety pounds 
per head ; and sweet corn, sorghum, lettuce, 
melons, radishes, egg plant, etc., are notice- 
ably tbrifty and superior. The market is a 
consideration not to be overlooked by intend- 
ing settlers, since abundant crops would be 
of little value if no market at remunerative 
rates was to be had close at home, or within 
easy reach by rail. 

HORTICULTURE AND VITICULTURE. 

While San Luis Obispo County has a wide 
reputation for its dairying interests, its large 
cattle interests, and capabilities as a grain 
county, it stands second to none in adapta- 
bility for fruit-raising. A fruit-raiser is not 
confined to any one particular kind of fruit, 
but if that is his ambition, may raise nearly 
every known species, peculiar to either north- 
ern or southern California, the soil, climate 



and topography of the county combining 
advantages which few counties or other coun- 
tries possess. The finest qualities of apples, 
pears, peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, 
prunes, olives, figs and oranges, and all kinds 
of nuts, — in fact all fruits, as well as berries 
of^all varieties, grow in abundance with but 
ordinary care. 

East of the Santa Lucia Range, a large 
section of the country is specially suited to 
fruit culture; notably around Creston, Tem- 
pleton, Paso Robles and in fact all of the 
Salinas basin and the San Jose Valley. 

In the valley around the city of San Luis 
Obispo, the fruit-raiser reaps a rich reward 
for his labors, especially with nuts, oranges, 
lemons, figs and olives, the latter being a 
very remunerative fruit and growing luxuri- 
antly. The southern portion of the county 
is well adapted to all fruits; especially must 
the valley of the Arroyo Grande be named, 
and it would be hard to say that one portion 
of the county is better than another for gen- 
eral fruit-raising. 

There is a large market for the fruit- 
grower, both at home and abroad, and now 
that the railroad traverses the county the 
Eastern market opens its doors for the recep- 
tion of our fruits. 

With a full-grown, bearing orchard, the 
profits are sure and large, fruit always being 
in demand, and the finer the quality, the 
greater the return. 

Within three years after setting out the 
orchard, the grower will commence to reap 
his reward, increasing of course as the years 
roll around. With olives, walnuts and oranges, 
it takes somewhat longer, it being about 
seven years before the walnut is in full bear- 
ing, about six for the orange, and from five 
to seven years for the olive. 

There is one never failing, ever increasing 
market for the raiser of fruit; namely, the 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



165 



canning industries growing continually on 
this coast, which are making the raising of 
fruit a very profitable industry. 

At no far distant day this county will 
assuredly take a high rank as a grape and 
wine producing section of the Starte; a large 
area of the hill land of the county is peculiar- 
ly adapted for the grape, favored with soil 
and climate for every species of this luscious 
fruit. Heretofore the mission grape has 
been more largely cultivated than any other 
and the success attained with that variety has 
induced local viticulturists to try the other, 
favorite species and with marked success; 
Black Prince, Flame Tokay, Muscat, Black 
Hamburg, Black Morocco, Zinfandel, Riesl- 
ing and Frontignan flourishing wherever 
planted. The raisin and wine industries are 
rapidly increasing, and, the profits being large, 
they are bound to increase still more, as there 
is much room for settlers who wish to engage 
in this pleasant and profitable business. The 
principal home market for wines is of course 
San Francisco, where there is a heavy demand 
by the large houses which supply the East 
with California wines, so rapidly growing in 
favor. 

To show what success San Luis Obispo 
County vineyards have attained we quote the 
following from an article on the subject pre- 
pared by Mr. P. II. Dallidet, Jr., entitled 
''Specific Instances: " 

"From the information acquired through 
that and other sources in the last twenty years 
in the county, I am of the opinion that the 
wealth of San Luis Obispo County can and 
will be greatly increased by the planting of 
vineyards, because of the certainty and abund- 
ance of their returns. I will endeavor to give 
facts in a few cases of people living at con- 
siderable distances from each other in the 
county, and any one desiring the full parti- 
culars can write to them for further informa- 



tion, and I have no doubt that they will be 
pleased to give it. Mr. W. N. Short, in the 
neighborhood of Temblor Ranch on the 
eastern border of the county, has a young 
vineyard which surprised him by the num- 
bers of bunches each vine yielded on the fourth 
year, the bunches filling well and berries 
growing to perfection. On the Temblor and 
Cnyama ranches, fifty miles apart on the same 
belt, there may be found trees and vines 
growing without attention that do wonders 
in the way of yield. Mr. Gillis, near Ade- 
laide, told me three years ago, that his two- 
yeai-old vines, Muscats, and wine grapes, 
bore from ten to thirty pounds each, berries 
very large and sweet, with a beautiful bloom 
on them. His place is thirty miles from 
San Luis Obispo in a northerly direction. 
On W. S. Hinkle's farm some three miles 
from this city are some ten vines in arbor 
form, that were literally purple with grapes 
of the Mission variety every year from the 
year 1860 to 1882, yielding three to five tons 
of grapes annually. Mr. Dolores Herrera, 
near Pozo, planted some vines near his house 
that have borne very well, but said Mr. Her- 
rera, ' I had a few cuttings left over after 
planting my vineyard; so I thought I would 
experiment, and I therefore set them out on a 
dry-looking hill about half a mile away from 
the house, and left them there to live or die 
as they chose. After some months I saw they 
grew nicely: so I pulled up some of them and 
left the others till the next year. When my 
grapes were ripening, I thought of the hill 
vines and went to see if they were yet alive, 
when imagine my surprise on rinding from 
three to five bunches on each little vine, each 
bunch weighing from a half to three-quarters 
of a pound of the finest white grapes 1 ever 
tasted.' Pozo is thirty miles east of us and 
forty miles from the ocean. Mr. E. W. 
Howe, near Morro, has a very nice little vine- 



1C6 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



yard which yields good crops of thirty pounds 
and upwards to the vine. 

" F. Guillemin, just over the mountain to 
the east of us, has a small vineyard set out 
after the manner of his country, that is, the 
vines from two to four feet apart, which bear 
from five to fifteen pounds each, and of part 
of his crop he makes a light wine which con- 
noisseurs pronounce to be equal to the famous 
petit vin du Jurat of France. 

" Mr. Hasbrouck has some twenty acres or 
more of vines at the Ranchita which are 
growing very nicely. Mr. Henry Ditmas, of 
Musick, has some boxes of raisins made by 
him on his place that were equal in point of 
size, color and taste to the best San Bernar- 
dino raisins. 

" Mr. P. H. Dallidet, Sr., has a vineyard 
from four to twenty years of age, and he has 
taken from his oldest vines, which at seven 
years of age had had good care, as high as 
twenty pounds to the vine, and out of eight 
acres of grapes made one season 6,300 gal- 
lons of wine. 

" Hon. Frank McCoppin, Dr. W. W. Hays, 
E. W. and'Hon. George Steele, J. P.Andrews, 
Goldtree Bros., W. H. Taylor and E. A. At- 
wood, all have fine young vineyards and or- 
chards. Besides these gentlemen who are 
large. y interested, there are a great number 
of persons who have from one acre and up- 
wards in full bearing who all say that vines 
are a success with only moderate attention. 
Out of perhaps 150 persons who have vine- 
yards, I know of but two that irrigate, and 
that because they have an abundance of 
water which would otherwise - be entirely 
wasted. As it is, they get a good growth of 
wood, whether at the expense of quantity in 
fruit is a question, but certainly, at the ex- 
pense of quality. Of the persons named 
above only Mr. Guillemin irrigates. 

" Having observed closely the yield of 



grapes for a number of years past, I can say 
without fear of exaggeration that vines of full 
bearing age will yield an average one year 
with another of thirty pounds to the vine.' ' 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 



The following account is partly extracted 
from the report of the State Mineralogist: 

Gold, silver, lead, copper, quicksilver, 
chromite, gypsum, onyx, silica, salt, lime, 
coal, and petroleum have been found in the 
mountains of this county. Some of these 
have been found in sufficient quantities to 
pay for working, and it is quite likely that a 
careful investigation of the remote mountain 
regions would result in additions to the min- 
eral resources. * * * It is a matter of 
history that gold was shipped from San Luis 
Obispo and neighboring counties prior to its 
discovery by Marshall in 1848. The explor- 
ers of the Pacific Railroad reported gold west 
of Salinas in 1854, though its existence in 
the San Jose Mountains had long been known. 
Gold has been and is still washed from sands 
in the bed of the San Marcos Creek, about 
four miles northwest of Paso Robles, during 
the wet months of the year, yielding, it is 
said, as high as from $3 to $4 per man per 
day. Placer claims have also been worked 
thirty miles southeast of Templeton since 
1870-'71, ground sluicing and panning when 
water has been plentiful, having yielded from 
$2 to $4 per day. 

The placer mines of the La Panza District 
are the best known, and are probably of the 
most importance. They are situated at the 
southeastern part of the San Jose - range, 
which rises as a formidable mountain joining 
the Santa Lucia, and over $100,000 in gold 
have been taken out. During 1878 there 
was quite a rush to these parts, and prospect- 
ing was carried on in nearly all the gulches 
leading from the San Jose range to the San 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



167 



Juan River. The chief interest was centered 
in the de la Guerra Gulch, where the most 
mining was done, — even as late as 1882; also 
upon the Navajo Creek, which is a stream of 
constantly flowing water. Some of these 
placers have yielded as high as $4 per day. 
The gold wa3 coarse, pieces worth 50 cents 
or 80 cents being of frequent occurrence. 
Haystack Canon also has running water, and 
gold. Near the head of this canon are falls 
of twenty feet, where the water descends into 
a basin nearly twenty feet across, and ten or 
twelve feet deep. 

These streams reach the channel of the San 
Juan during very wet weather. Of late years 
these mines have not been actively worked, 
chiefly on account of the scarcity of water. 
In the southern portion of the county gold 
has also been found in sands on the seashore 
in considerable quantity. They are reported 
as yielding from $1.50 to $2 per day to the 
miner, and, as the gold dust appears to be 
renewed by the washing of the sea, the de- 
posits are practically inexhaustible. San Luis 
Obispo is credited with the production of 
$6,200 in gold during the year 1889, as re- 
ported by the director of the United States 
mint. 

San Luis Obispo, in common with all of 
the California missions, holds to the custom- 
ary legends of rich silver mines having been 
formerly worked within its borders by the 
Indians and old Spanish padres. 

In 1862, during the great copper excite- 
ment, several copper mines were opened in 
the northwestern part of the county. Green 
Elephant and North Mexican were among 
the most promising. In 1863 copper was 
obtained and smelted in the neighborhood of 
these mines, and shipped to San Francisco. 
Sulphurites, carbonates, and silicate ores are 
widely distributed throughout the county, 
the float rock being often very rich. Cuban- 



ite, a sulphide of copper and iron, is said to 
exist abundantly upon Santa Rosa Creek. 

Quicksilver was discovered in 1872, by a 
Mexican, in the mountains west of San 
Simeon, although it was long known to exist 
in the county by the Indians, who used it as a 
paint, and were in the habit of visiting the 
Santa Lucia range of mountains to procure 
it for that purpose. Over 150 quicksilver 
claims are recorded in the San Simeon dis- 
trict. In 1871 discoveries of cinnabar were 
made at Cambria; also about eight miles 
north of the first discovery, near the north- 
east corner of Piedras Blancas Rancho, which 
led to the discovery of the Pine Mountain 
lode, on the summit of the Santa Lucia. On 
this lode eight claims were located, from 
which a large quantity of ore, stated to aver- 
age 2-J per cent., has been extracted. The 
Gibson and Phillips claims, the Santa Maria, 
Buckeye, and Jeff Davis, are all located on 
the same lode. The San Jose mines were 
located in 1872 upon the eastern slope of the 
Santa Lucia range. The principal mine 
that has been developed is the Oceanic. The 
original claims, three in number, wen located 
in 1874, and are situated on thenorth side and 
three-quarters of a milefrom Santa RosaCreek, 
and five miles from Cambria. The ledge runs 
east and west, dipping to the north at an angle 
of about seventeen degrees; the vein is said to 
vary from eightfeetto thirty-two feet in width. 
At times over 300 men were employed in 
these works. Three furnaces were erected, 
at a cost of $90,000. Good returns were 
made on the capital while the price of quick- 
silver was high, but when it fell to 40 cents 
per pound it was found impossible to produce 
it at a protit, and work was suspended. 

Large deposits of chromite exist in various 
parts of the county, hut mining has been 
principally carried on in the Santa Lucia and 
Buchon ranges. RacklifFs mine is situated 



168 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



five miles northwest of the county-seat; is 
leased to William Copeland & Co. Devel- 
opments have heen carried on here to a lim 
ited extent during the past year, and between 
100 and 200 tons of the chromite were 
shipped to San Francisco; price paid at San 
Luis Obispo, $9.00. The San Juan, Castro, 
Primera, El Salto, and El Devisadero, which 
are situated northeast of San Luis Obispo, 
are the property of Goldtree Brothers. These 
mines have not been worked during the cur- 
rent year, there being sufficient chromite al- 
ready on the dump to satisfy the demand. 
The price obtained is $8.50 per ton at San 
Luis Obispo. The principal shipments have 
been to Germany. William Goldtree states 
that it would not pay to work these mines 
unless $12 per ton could be obtained for 
the average product. The mines are patented. 
G. Jasper is working a mine seven or eight 
miles distant from San Luis Obispo, and he 
ships about 150 tons per year to Baltimore. 
The price obtained is $8 per ton. It is the 
opinion of those conversant with chromic 
mining in the county that a miner could 
only make wages by working his own mines 
at such a figure. 

Several deposits of electro-silicon occur in 
the county, particularly in the vicinity of the 
bay of San Luis Obispo and San Carpojoro. 
The deposits at the latter place have so far 
proved of the greatest value, great quantities 
having been shipped for polishing purposes. 
The name of Salinas (saline) was given to 
the principal river of San Luis Obispo and 
Monterey counties because of the saline 
springs along its banks and tributaries. In 
the mountains, about the rivers' headwaters, 
are many salt springs of the strongest brine, 
and large deposits of salt rock. Black Lake 
is a small sheet of water, half a mile in di- 
ameter and of irregular contour, situated near 
the summit of the San Jose mountains, and 



is so intensely salt as to form a brine suitable 
for the preservation of meat without further 
concentration. The salt deposits of the Car- 
riso Plain appear like a dry lake, being five 
miles in length" and from half a mile to two 
miles in breadth. The salt covers the bed to 
a depth of from six inches to two feet, and 
is sufficiently pure to be used for many pur- 
poses. It is much used for stock, being 
hauled away in wagons to the ranchos, twenty 
or more miles distant. Water intensely salt 
is found at a depth of two or three feet be- 
neath the surface in the vicinity of this 
deposit. 

Limestone is found in many localities in 
this county. In the vicinity of Ni porno 
Rancho is a large body of soft, marly lime- 
stone, that produces a fair article of lime. A 
good supply of limestone suitable for lime is 
now being obtained in Lopez Canon, about 
eight miles east of the town of Arroyo 
Grande, and lime burning has been com- 
menced there with a good prospect of suc- 
cess. The immense bed of fossil clams and 
oysters, near the Oceanic mine, and on the 
Santa Margarita Ilancho, and the huge Os- 
trea titans occurring in several places, when 
burnt, yielded a fair article of lime, which 
has been used extensively in retorting at the 
quicksilver mines in this county. 

Gypsum is found at the headwaters of Ar- 
royo Grande and on Navajo Creek. 

Coal was discovered in this county as early 
as 1863 on the beach at San Simeon, by 
William Leffingwell, who used it for black- 
smithing. The San Simeon Coal Mining 
Company was subsequently started by C. B. 
Rutherford, of Oakland. This is said to 
have been the first mining company started 
in the county. The outcrop of the vein was 
two feet in width, and usually covered with 
water at high tide. A shaft was sunk to a 
depth of ahout 100 feet, at which point the 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



1CJ 



coal dwindles to a mere seam, and mining 
was abandoned. Coal has also been found 
in the mountains east of the town of San 
Luis Obispo, but not in sufficient quantities 
to pay ior working. 

There are several varieties of building 
stone in the county. The range of peaks 
which extends from San Luis Peak to Moro 
Rock are composed of trachytic porphyry, 
which is used locally, and of late there has 
been some talk of establishing a quarry 
either at Moro Rock or some of the neigh- 
boring peaks. A sandstone crops out also a 
half mile southeast of Arroyo Grande, and 
extends to Los Varos Creek. At the latter 
place a quarry has been opened by Hugill 
Brothers. About fifty feet of rock are here 
exposed, which is a light buff- colored sand- 
stone, soft when quarried, and can be sawed 
into cubes, but becomes hard upon exposure 
to the atmosphere. This stone has been 
much used for chimneys and foundations in 
this vicinity. A quarry of similar rock is 
said to have been opened by J. S. Rice five 
miles from Pismo wharf. 

There is a notable onyx mine five miles 
from Musick, in the heart of the Santa Lucia 
mountains, amidst rugged, precipitous spurs 
and ridges, which make the scenery exceed- 
ingly wild and grand. Here, ten years ago, 
David Musick, while hunting for deer, dis- 
covered the character of the rock, and claims 
were made as for a gold or silver bearing 
vein, as the locality was Government land. 
A company was formed and prospecting was 
done, but the locators, not seeing their way 
clear to develop the mine, presently sold it 
for $250 to J. and F. Kessler, marble-workers 
of San Francisco, who have jealously guarded 
and extended their claim, and, having per- 
fected the title, are now ready to open the 
property. A road is in course of construc- 
tion from Musick along arroyos and over 



ridges to the ledge, being built for the com- 
paratively small sum of $1,300. The sum- 
mit of this ridge is 1,900 feet above sea level, 
the Santa Lucia range here reaching an ele- 
vation of 2,000 to 3,500 feet, and forming 
the watershed of the Arroyo Grande flowing 
southwest, the Huasna flowing south, and the 
Salinas north by west. The surrounding 
country affords good grazing and an abundance 
of live oak and chapparal. 

The onyx ledge runs athwart the ridge 
bearing slightly west of north and east of 
south. Faces of from twenty to forty-five 
feet in height have been opened on the ledge 
on each side of the ridge, the northern one 
showing a brilliant white mass of rock in 
seams of two to sixteen inches in thickness, 
standing nearly perpendicular. The southern 
opening is about half a mile from the first, of 
similar formation, but showing rock of vari- 
ous colors, of yellow, green, blue, golden, 
white and other shades, giving it the highest 
value for ornamental work. This, Mr. Kess- 
ler claims is the most beautiful and valuable 
deposit of onyx known in the world. The 
ledge is sixteen feet in thickness and the 
opening exposes to view more than a thousand 
tons of the rock. The outward appearance is 
of a rusty, rugged stone, not attractive until 
broken and the lines and waves of the blend- 
ing colors seen. A few tons have been drag- 
ged down the mountain in sleds and taken to 
San Francisco, where it was sawed into slabs 
or cut into such shapes as required and pol- 
ished. Apiece eight inches square and half 
inch thick, was sold to Gov. Stanford for $25. 
In a rough state it sells readily for $100 a ton. 
The proprietor showed a fragment of eight 
feet in length, by sixteen to eighteen inches 
in breadth and thickness, which he said would 
be worth $300 in San Francisco. This would 
be cut into thirty slabs half an inch thick, 
and polished, and be worth $10 a square 



170 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY 



foot at least, or bring a return of $3,600. 
Others become valuable according to their 
colors and the forms they are worked into. 
The labor this will employ and the value re- 
sulting is inconceivable. There is now a rage 
for colored onyx in a vast variety of forms, 
— of mantels, tables, counters, pillars, panels, 
frames, ornaments, etc. But the customers 
are among the rich of the East and Europe. 
It cannot be utilized but to a slight extent 
in California. The railroad forbids, and 
the high rates of labor give, an advantage 
elsewhere. The raw material will go by sail- 
ing vessel to Atlantic and European ports for 
$9 a ton. In New York it can be worked by 
labor at $1.50 a day; in France and Italy at 
50 cents a day, and in Belgium at 25 cents a 
day, while in San Francisco such labor de- 
mands from $3 to $4 a day. Thus it will be 
worked abroad, and, what Californians want, 
will pay the railroad $45 a ton and vast 
profits to the employers of cheap labor. But 
San Luis Obispo will have the honor of sup- 
plying the beautiful material in its crude 
state and profit on the glory. 

Near the summit on the divide and on the 
line of the onyx ledge is a spring of very sin- 
gular water. It tastes like the water from 
oysters, and a conmon glass full is a strong 
purgative. Bruises, cuts, poison oak and 
other sores are quickly cured by bathing 
in it. For medicinal purposes this water 
appears very valuable, and what it is, is a 
mystery. 

" At and in the immediate vicinity of Port 
Harford there are extensive bodies of ser- 
pentine. 

BITUMINOUS ROCK. 

" On the < Rancho El Pismo,' about seven 
miles southeast of San Luis Obispo, * * * 
great quantities of all the rocks are saturated 
with bitumen. There are, it is true, places 
where the rock is free from bitumen and 



other places where the percentage which it 
contains is small. But the greater portion of 
it, where the quarry has been opened, is about 
as lull of bitumen as it can hold, and the 
quantity easily available here is practically 
inexhaustible. A short sidetrack from the 
Pacific Coast Railway runs directly to the 
quarry. [Blasting is required, and the quar- 
rying is oftm perilous, from the clinging for 
a while of a portion of the very tough rock, 
which will afterwards fall suddenly, in pieces 
of many tons' weight, which drop without 
warning. — Y. II. A.] They are now shipping 
this rock both to Los Angeles and San Fran- 
cisco for pavements, for which it seems to be 
admirably adapted. 

" At a point about three-quarters of a mile 
from this quarry, there is another large de- 
posit of bituminous sandstone very heavy- 
bedded, on the ' Corral de Piedra' Rancho. 
It is called ' Oak Park.' But very little 
work has been done yet at this locality, and 
the exposures are not so good as could be de- 
sired. 

" Mr. J. J. Schifferly also has a rancho of 
1,344 acres, about one mile westerly from 
Adams & JNicholls' quarry (these gentlemen 
own the two first mentioned), where most of 
the hills are full of bituminous rock. There 
is probably enough of this material within a 
lew square miles in this vicinity to pave all 
the cities in the United States. 

" Mr. A. B. Hasbrouck, who owns a ranchc 
called < Ranchito,' in the Santa Lucia range 
of mountains, about twenty-two miles south- 
east of the city of San Luis Obispo, and on 
the headwaters of the Arroyo Grande, states 
that on his place there are large quantities of 
asphaltum, with some petroleum springs and 
much sulphur water." 

The large deposits of asphaltum and the 
presence of rock saturated with bitumen sug- 
gested the presence of petroleum, and in May, 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



171 



1886, Messrs. ISTicholls, Adams & Walker 
undertook the boring for oil in the valley of 
the San Luis Creek, about two miles from the 
ocean. At a depth of 600 feet a body of hot 
sulphur water, accompanied by gas was struck. 
The boring was continued to a depth of 900 
feet, when an accident occurred that caused 
the further prosecution of the work to cease. 

At this depth the flow of water is about 
3,000 barrels a day, with a jet of gas burning 
with a flame three feet high from an aperture 
two inches in diameter. The water has a tem- 
perature of 100 degrees, and the "oil well" 
has become the Hot Sulphur Well, and the 
locality improved as a bathing and health 
resort. A hotel and bathing- houses have been 
erected, and, the site possessing many attrac- 
tions, it bids fair to become one of the many 
popular resorts of the coast. 

The boring for oil led the same parties to 
investigating the formation of the rocks in 
the neighborhood, and over a large area it was 
found that certain sandstones were saturated 
with bitumen, forming a rock very valuable 
for paving purposes. 

Through a region of twenty miles in length 
by four in width, were found many high, 
rocky projections almost rising into moun- 
tains, largely composed of this bituminous 
rock. These barren ridges, previously re- 
garded as of little value, immediately became 
objects of great demand. A paving material 
of such value, in such unlimited abundance 
and of so easy access appears a discovery of 
inestimable value to the world. 

This material is used in paving in San 
Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and other 
cities, causing a demand at this early clay of 
its development of some 3,000 tons a month. 
The consumption of this rock will largely 
increase, creating a very important business 
and become a great source of wealth to the 
county. 



The main bituminous rock mines are situ- 
ted in a belt one mile wide and ten miles 
loner, extending; fro n San Luis Creek to Ar- 
royo Grande, and from five to fifteen miles 
south and southeast from San Luis Obispo. 
About 30,000 tons were mined and exported 
last year. The quantity in the hills is in- 
finite. The chemical analysis of this sub- 
stance is as follows: finely divided sand, 65.- 
917; bitumen, 16.255; iron and alumina, 8.- 
405; calcium carbonate, 8.212; magnesium 
carbonate, 1.003; undetermined, .208; total, 
100. Some seven or eight companies are en- 
gaged in mining this rock. The S. L. O. 
Bituminous Rock Company, it is said, will 
build a wharf about a half a mile south of 
Cave Landing. The company is developing 
the rich mine within 1,500 feet of the pro- 
posed wharf. 

DAIRYING. 

We believe that California has advantages 
second to no State in the Union for dairying 
and cattle raising; the only drawback being 
the high price of labor; but the soil, climate 
and native grasses are all exceedingly favor- 
able, making San Luis Obispo County one 
of the best, if not the banner county for this 
industry. 

Although one of the youngest counties in 
the business, and for many years compara- 
tively inaccessible, it has long occupied the 
second place for productiveness, and now 
claims the first place. 

The rainy and consequently grass season is 
expected in November or December and lasts 
till June — that is, the season for green and 
growing native grasses produced spon- 
taneously, wild oats and volunteer grain 
often being five inches high during the first 
of December. The climate is peculiarly 
fitted for dairying, on account of the feed 
grasses, and general vegetation being con- 



172 



SAN LUTS OBISPO COUNTY. 



stantly kept in good condition by the moist- 
ure from the ocean, besides the regular rainy 
seasons, and there being no necessity for 
irrigation; the trade winds make the climate 
warmer in winter, keeping off frosts and 
freezing weather. 

As a result of such a climate and soil we 
have a luxurious growth of the most nutri- 
tious grasses known on this coast; all kinds 
of small grain, corn, roots, alfalfa, Australian 
rye and orchard and other foreign grasses are 
grown successfully. 

At the commencement of the rainy season 
the native grasses, to-wit, wild oats, alfilaria, 
various kinds of clover and bunch grass 
spring up as if by magic. Later comes the 
alfalfa, which continues green all the year ex- 
cept during the very few frosty nights when 
it is cut down; but the first crop in wdnter, 
being rank and sour, is cut and used for hay. 
The dairy cows are also fed green corn, and 
later, roots, squashes and hay; the squashes 
will keep nearly all winter if well matured, 
and the carrots and beets may remain in the 
ground till needed, and will keep growing, 
and are often carried over until the next sea- 
son. In that case they will come in for feed 
when the native grasses begin to mature and 
dry, and consequently need something to go 
with them. 

Thus it will be seen that there is no need 
of resorting to silos in order to have the 
proper milk-producing feed the year round. 
The native grasses, when they mature dry and 
remain upon the ground, make a very good 
quality of hay in this climate, and the seeds 
of the burr clover, particularly, are like grain, 
on which the stock cattle and dry cows sub- 
sist during the whole dry season. The num- 
ber of squashes and roots that can be grown 
to the acre is wonderful — from twenty to 
forty tons of green corn, alfalfa and squash; 
from fifty to 100 tons of roots; the writer 



has weiged single mangel-wurtzels that aver- 
aged over 100 pounds, and squashes 270 
pounds. He also made a three-days test of 
the milk from 150 cows while grazing on the 
native grasses, to ascertain the value of the 
milk for butter and cheese. The cream was 
separated from the milk by a Lavel Separa- 
tor, and 17.76 pounds of milk made a pound 
of butter, eight and three eighths pounds of 
milk made one pound of cheese from the 
press, good solid cheese; thus demonstrating 
the native grasses to be the very best cheese 
and butter producing food. In most locali- 
ties it takes about ten pounds of milk to 
make one pound of cheese, and twenty-five 
pounds of milk to make a pound of butter on 
the average. The above test was made from 
all the milk of 150 cows for three consecutive 
days, furnishing a test of the most conclusive 
character. 

For thirty years there has not been a day 
in which there has not been made cheese or 
butter in some of the dairies there. When 
put to extra expense, by raising feed, prices 
of produce are higher. By milking the 
year round they keep their best help, dis- 
tribute the calf-raising, keep their business or- 
ganized and their stock in good condition. 
Thus they can dairy profitably the year 
round. 

A Holstein cow that was fed bran and 
shorts in addition to grass, and milked twice 
a day, made by actual weight 17,270 pounds 
of milk in one year. It was her first year in 
the county, and she was carrying a calf dur- 
ing eight months of the time. Several of 
two-year-old Holstein heifers, under pre- 
cisely the same treatment, made about 10,- 
250 pounds of milk in one year. It can 
safely be said from the above showing that 
San Luis Obisbo is the banner dairy county, 
and that her cows and grasses can not be ex- 
celled in this or any other State. 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



173 



EXPORTS. 

Perhaps, on the whole, no better judgment 
may be found of the resources of the county 
than that founded upon a resume of the ex- 
ports of material produced over and above 
those needed for home consumption. To 
this end is hereinafter given a statement of 
the exports from Port Harford for the last 
four years. 

FOR THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1886. 

Tons. 

Beans 3,368.8 

Wheat 13,847.5 

Barley 9,024.8 

Oats 657.1 

Rye 83.0 

Flax seed 306.9 

Other grains 203.9 

Wool 834.6 

Lumber 9,903.0 

Wood 1,192.0 

Coal 465.3 

Asphaltum 415.2 

Bituminous Rock 

Chrome ore 912.6 

Butter 892.0 

Cheese 181-7 

Hides and pelts 81.2 

Cattle 1,416.0 

Hogs 1,213.8 

Sheep 649.8 

Other live-stock 78.9 

Agricultural implements 134.4 

Merchandise 9,189 9 

Total 54,552.4 

FOR THE TEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1887. 

Tons. 

Beans 3,062.9 

Wheat 7,271.3 

Barley 9,423.6 

Oats 237.5 

Rye • 74.2 

Flax seed 47.4 

Other grains 896.3 

Wool 271.1 

Lumber 17,677.4 

Wood 1,473.4 

Coal 174.9 

Asphaltum 383.4 

Bituminous rock 2,4701 

Chrome ore 1,1 15.4 

Butter 853.1 



Tons. 

Cheese 167.2 

Hides and pelts 93.8 

Cattle 451.3 

Hogs 1,635.3 

Sheep 200.9 

Other live-stock 134.8 

Agricultural implements 52.2 

Merchandise 12,262.9 

Total 60,430.4 

FOR THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1888. 

Tons. 

Beans 1,338.5 

Wheat 8,383.9 

Barley 16,724.8 

Oats 1,173.1 

Rye. 25.8 

Flax seed 36.7 

Other grains 197.7 

Wool 145.1 

Lumber 21,770.3 

Wood 1,524.0 

Coal 3,310.9 

Asphaltum 190.2 

Bituminous rock 19,063.0 

Chrome ore 635.0 

Butter 978.7 

Cheese 117.9 

Hides and pelts 100.2 

Cattle 585.9 

Hogs 1,027.3 

Sheep 120.0 

Other live-stock 204.6 

Agricultural implements 196.6 

Merchandise 13,652.5 

Total 91,502.7 

San Luis Obispo County shipped last year 
(1889) via Port Harford, by steamers of the 
Pacific Coast Steamship Company — not to 
mention shipments by other conveyances and 
from other landings — the following: 

Pounds. 

Asphaltum and bituminous rock 27,773,200 

Butter 2,014,800 

Cheese 192,800 

Wheat 15,699,200 

Barley 26,762,800 

Beans 2,998,400 

Ore 1,368,000 

Hogs 769,800 

Sundries 7,835,200 

Total 85,414,200 



174 



SAJSf LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



Six hundred and seven steamers arrived 
and departed during the year, besides a large 
number of sailing vessels. 

The reports of shipments for 1890 are not 
yet rendered, but the officials estimate that 
the export of bituminous rock will be one- 
third greater than last year. On the other 
hand the excessive rains of last season 
having caxised a light grain crop, the aggre- 
gate of exports probably will not exceed that 
of last year. 

BENCH AND BAK. 

After the adoption of the constitution of 
the State of California, the office of county 
judge of San Luis Obispo was first held by 
Don Jose Mariano Bonilla, a native of the 
city of Mexico, who had been judge of the 
first instance under the Mexican rule, and 
sub-prefect and alcalde under the military 
government, after annexation and prior to 
the adoption of the constitution. It is re- 
lated ot Senor Bonilla that his keen sense of 
justice was once severely outraged in the 
trial of a case between two Mexicans, in- 
volving the ownership of a horse. Judge 
Bonilla . and W. J. Graves were the only 
lawyers in the county, and, Graves having 
been retained by the plaintiff and Bonilla 
occupying the bench, the defendant was left 
without an attorney. This seemed to the 
judge such a hardship that he summoned 
the sheriff to preside over the court, while he 
himself descended from the bench and de- 
voted to the cause of the defendant all his 
ability and energy. That he was thoroughly 
impartial and unbigoted appears from the 
fact that, after due deliberation, he rendered 
judgment for the plaintiff, against his own 
arguments ! 

To Judge Bonilla succeeded (elected in 
1850) John M. Price, who also had been 



alcalde. He served less than one year, when 
he was followed by William J. Graves, who 
had been a member of the State Assembly 
and of the State Senate. 

O. M. Brown was next elected to this office, 
taking his seat in March, 1853. He held 
the position for two years, and was succeeded 
by Bomualdo Pacheco, a member of one of 
the old Spanish-American families, promi- 
nent in California both before and after an- 
nexation. Mr. Pacheco held various import- 
ant offices in the State, including that of 
Governor. 

In 1857 Jose Maria Munoz was elected 
connty judge to succeed Pacheco. Judge 
Munoz was a uative Californian, well edu- 
cated in Spanish, but unable to speak En- 
glish. His opposing candidate was ex-Judge 
Jose M. Bonilla. Judge Munoz held the 
office until 1861, when he was succeeded by 
Dr. Joseph M. Havens, one of the pioneers 
of California. 

In 1863 Dr. Havens was succeeded by 
Wiliam L. Beebee, one of the oldest and 
most respected citizens of San Luis Obispo. 
Again Mr. Beebee was elected in 1867, and 
was confirmed in his seat after a protracted 
and expensive litigation, the election having 
been contested by Charles Lindley. 

In 1871 the choice for county judge was 
McDowell R. Venable, who since 1869 had 
held a high position at the bar here. In 
1875 he was the only candidate for county 
judge, and received almost the entire vote of 
the county. He continued in this office until 
it was abolished by the adoption of the new 
constitution. 

The constitution provided for the division 
of the State into judicial districts, and that 
at its first session the Legislature should 
elect for each district one district judge, who 
should hold office for two years from the 1st 
of January succeeding his election, after 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



175 



which the judges should be elected at the 
general election, to hold office for six years. 
This court was given original jurisdiction in 
law and equity; in all civil cases where the 
amount in dispute should not exceed $200, 
exclusive of interest; in all criminal cases 
not otherwise provided for, and in all issues 
of fact joined in probate court. 

Henry Amos Tefft was the first gentleman 
elected by the Legislature judge of the dis- 
trict comprising San Luis and Santa Barbara 
counties. He held the office until February 
6, 1852, when, returning from holding court 
at Santa Barbara, he was drowned in San 
Luis Obispo harbor while attempting to dis- 
embark from the steamer Senator. 

The sad death of Judge Tefft left vacant 
the chair of this district court, and to it was 
appointed, in February, 1852, Joaquin Car- 
rillo, then eounty judge of Santa Barbara. 
This gentleman was a grandson of Ray-, 
mundo Carrillo, the first commandante of 
Santa Barbara presidio. Judge Carrillo was 
not familiar with the English language, and 
when cases were tried in that language it was 
necessary to interpret to him the court pro- 
ceedings. Yet the Carrillo family having 
high rank and influence, he was elected with- 
out opposition district judge at the ensuing 
general election, and he continued to hold 
the office until 1863. He was in character 
at once imperious and convivial, as appears 
in an incident related by Mr. D. F. Newsom, 
who was appointed county clerk in 1853. 
Judge Carrillo one day asked Mr. Newsom 
to join him in a social glass, and Mr. New- 
som declined, as he never took wine or liquor. 
Thereupon the judge took umbrage, declaring 
that a man who would not drink was not fit 
to be clerk of his court, and that for the dis- 
courtesy he would remove him from office; 
accordingly the sheriff was called upon to 
furnish a deputy to act as clerk. Now there 



was here no one qualified for this position 
save Mr. Newsom, whose knowledge was of 
the greatest usefulness and importance in the 
public functions, badly organized as gener- 
ally were the offices. Therefore the sheriff 
promptly appointed Mr. Newsom deputy 
sheriff, and detailed him to act as clerk, 
which office he continued to fill without op- 
position or comment from Judge Carrillo. 

After the census of 1860 the State was re- 
apportioned into judicial districts, and San 
Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, 
San Bernardino, and San Diego counties were 
grouped into the first district. An amend- 
ment to the constitution hereafter segregated 
the judicial from the political election, ordering 
them to be held at different times. At the 
election in 1863 the candidates for judge of 
the first district were Pablo de la Guerra and 
Joaquin Carrillo, of Santa Barbara, and Ben- 
jamin Hayes of Los Angeles, the first men- 
tioned being elected. Judge de la Guerra was 
one of the most notable of the Spanish-Ameri- 
can citizens of California. He was born in 
Santa Barbara, his father at the time com- 
manding the presidio of Santa Barbara. 
Don Pablo de la Guerra filled a conspicuous 
role in public affairs in California, both before 
and after annexation. He held at different 
periods the offices of supervisor of customs, 
judge of the first instance, member of the 
constitutional convention, State Senator, 
president of the Senate, and, by succession, 
Lieutenant-governor. He was re-elected to 
the office of district judge until 1869, and 
remained the incumbent until failing: health 
compelled his resignation in December, 1873, 
he dying some two months later. 

On the resignation of Judge de la Guerra, 
Governor Booth appointed to the vacant 
position Hon. Walter Murray, who in 1869 
had been a candidate for the position, carry- 
ing San Luis Obispo County, but being 



17(5 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



defeated by the large vote cast in Santa Bar- 
bara County in favor of Don Pablo de la 
Gnerra. He was a man of firm convictions, 
immovable principles, and great independence 
of character. Unfortunately, he survived his 
predecessor but two years, dying at San Luis 
Obispo, October 5, 1875. 

In the campaign of 1875 Walter Murray 
was the promising candidate to succeed him- 
self; but, he dying just before the election, 
the next preferred was Eugene Fawcett, of 
Santa Barbara, who continued in this office 
until it was abolished by the new constitution. 
He was then, in September, 1879, elected in 
Santa Barbara County to the new office of 
superior judge, created by the new constitu- 
tion ; and, taking his seat January 6, 1880, 
he died within three days. 

The new constitution, adopted in 1879, 
entirely reconstructed the judiciary system in 
California, abolishing the district courts, and 
replacing them by superior courts, one to 
each county. In San Luis Obispo, Louis 
McMurtry was elected superior judge on a 
union ticket, defeating the nominee of the 
workingmen and new constitution parties. 
Mr. McMurtry at this time had been district 
attorney since 1877. He fulfilled the duties 
of this new office with great credit, but was 
shortly stricken with disease, and died Feb- 
ruary 11, 1883. 

The vacancy left by the decease of Judge 
McMurtry was filled by appointment, Gov- 
ernor Stoneman attending the prayers of a 
preponderance of constituents in selecting 
Durrell S. Gregory, to whom had been paid 
the compliment of admitting him to practice 
by special act of the Legislature. Judge 
Gregory had a brilliant reputation in his pro- 
fession, and had served two terms as State 
senator. He had been district attorney in 
Monterey County, and in 1860 he had been 
sent as a delegate to the memorable Charleston 



convention. Judge Gregory discharged the 
duties of this office for some years, and until 
his death, which befell on June 5, 1889. 

During the last few months of his incum- 
bency San Luis County had had a second 
judge in the person of Hon. V. A. Gregg, 
who had been appointed February 8, 1889, 
by virtue of a special act of the Legislature. 
Judge Gregory's office ceased with the expira- 
tion of his incumbency, 

Though the election records of 1850 do not 
mention the office of district attorney, O. M. 
Brown, afterward county judge, was ap- 
pointed by the court of sessions to fulfill the 
duties of such office. 

After him, in 1851, was appointed Parker 
H. French, of unsavory record in connection 
with Walker's filibustering expedition to Nic- 
aragua, and other questionable proceedings. 

Hubbard C. M. Ely was elected to this 
office in 1853; and W. J. Graves was elected 
in 1855; and he, being elected the following 
year to the Assembly, was followed by James 
White, appointed by the board of supervisors. 
Walter Murray was elected in 1859, and 
P. A. Forrester in 1861; James White fol- 
lowed him in 1863; and Walter Murray once 
more became district attorney in 1867. He 
was succeeded by Newton Dennis Witt, who 
tilled the term. Then, in September, 1871, 
was elected A. A. Oglesby, who was re-elected 
in 1875. After Mr. Oglesby came Louis 
McMurtry, afterward superior judge. He 
was district attorney from 1877 to 1879, 
when Ernest Graves, son of the pioneer, Hon. 
W. T. Graves,, was elected by the working- 
men and new constitution parties. Graves 
was re-elected in 1882. 

Mr. F. A. Dorn is the present district attor- 
ney (October, 1890), the former incumbent, 
Mr. Arthur R. Earll, having died in June, 
1889. 

In the early days there were few lawyers 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



177 



in San Luis Obispo, yet since the organization 
of the county the bar here has comprehended 
eloquent and able lawyers. Among these 
may be mentioned Frederick Adams, Judge 
Robt. C. Bonldin (died December 16, 1879), 
R. M. Preston (died in Sonoma County, 
1882), W. H. Spencer, J. M. Wilcoxen, 
Jasper N. Turner, C. H. Clement, J. R. Pat- 
ton, and R. B. Treat, who, with those already 
mentioned, and others now practicing, present 
a line array of talent. 

There is no regular bar association in San 
Luis County, although there is a good mutual 
understanding among the attorneys. There 
are seventeen lawyers resident at the county- 
seat, and various others in the interior towns. 
The oldest and best known of these gentle 
men are: — Judge McDowell R. Yenable, 
Cyrus Wren Goodchild, Ernest and William 
Graves, William Spencer and J. M. Wilcoxen. 

San Luis Obispo County contains thirty- 
seven election precincts, ss follows: — Arroyo 
Grande, No. 1, Arroyo Grande, No. 2, Av- 
enales, Beach, Cambria, Carriso, Cayucos, 
Cholame, Chorro, Corral de Piedra, Creston, 
Cuesta, Estrella, Huasna, Josephine, La 
Panza, Las Tablas, Los Osos, Lynch, Morro, 
Nipomo, Orcutt, Oso Flaco, Painted Rock, 
Paso Robles, No. 1, Paso Robles, No. 2, 
Piletas, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis Obispo, 
No. 1, San Luis Obispo, No. 2, San Luis 
Obispo, No. 3, San Luis Obispo, No. 4, San 
Miguel, San Simeon, Santa Margarita, 
Templeton. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

COUNTY OFFICERS. 

Virgil A. Gregg Superior Judge 

A. C McLeod Sheriff 

Chas. W. Dana Clerk 

F. A. Dorn District Attorney 

B. F. Petitt Treasurer 

C. A. Farnum Auditor 

J. T.Walker Collector 



J. Feidler Recorder 

J. M. Felts Assessor 

W. M. Armstrong School Superintendent 

G.B.Nichols Coroner 

T. A. Greenleaf Public Administrator 

Geo. Story Surveyor 

SUPERVISORS. 

J. C. Baker 1st District 

F. F. White 2d District 

P. F. Ready 3d District 

G. T. Gregg 4th District 

J. V. Webster 5th District 

BOARD OP EDUCATION. 

A. F. Parsons Arroyo Grande 

D. M. Meredith San Luis Obispo 

Miss C. B. Churchill Paso Robles 

B. H. Franklin Cambria 

Wm. Armstrong, ex officio San Luis Obispo 

THE FOSTOFFICES 

in the county are twenty-nine, as follows: — 
Adelaida, Arroyo Grande, Ayenal, Cambria, 
Cayucos, Cholame, Creston, Dove, Edna, 
Estrella, Goodwin, La Panza, Linne, Los 
Berros, Morro, Musick, Nipomo, Painted 
Rock, Paso Robles, Port Harford, Pozo, 
Root, San Luis Obispo, San Miguel, San 
Simeon, Santa Margarita, Simmler, Starkey 
and Templeton. 

Of these, seven are money-order offices, 
and the San Luis Obispo issues also inter- 
national money orders. This is a third-class 
office. The postmaster is W. S. Cannon. 
He has two assistants, — young ladies. The 
semi-annual statement of this office, from 
October 1, 1889, to April 1, 1890, shows 
that the total number of letters and parcels 
handled during that period was 3,613; second- 
class matter sent was 5,934 pounds; money 
orders issued amounted to $12,547.03; money 
orders and postal notes paid, to $12,319.86; 
total receipts for fees, stamps, etc., $3,972.06; 
net income from the office, $1,447.86. 

From May 5 to May 12, 1890, this office 
handled 417 pounds, eight ounces, or 6,477 
pieces of mail, the income amounting to 
$94.41. 



178 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



The office now contains 352 boxes and 
twelve drawers, and the newly-leased quarters 
conld accommodate just twice that number 
should increased population require it. 



SCHOOLS. 



The first school in San Luis Obispo, under 
the new regi?ne, was opened in 1850, in a 
room of the mission building, the Spanish 
language being the medium of instruction. 
The teacher was Don Guillermo Searles, born 
in Chili, of English parents. This was a 
gentleman of education, and his administra- 
tion gave satisfaction. The population being 
then very sparse, the one school district 
covered the whole county. Searles' successor 
was Michael Merchant, an Irishman, who 
came thither via Mexico. He taught in 
Spanish. It appears that during his admin- 
istration the county fund failed, and the 
pupils were required to pay $5 per month 
tuition. Mr. Merchant was succeeded by 
Mr. Parker, who, instead of teaching in 
Spanish, and simply repeating the lessons, 
required his pupils to translate from one 
language to the other, they attaining to con- 
siderable progress by the drill. In 1854 Mr. 
D. F. Newsom was the teacher, and he gave 
his instruction in English, and required his 
pupils to translate the lessons into both 
languages. At that time there were in the 
county but forty children able to speak Eng- 
lish. To Mr. Newsom is due the honor of 
having organized the schools of San Luis 
Obispo upon the basis followed until now. 
At this time the assessor was ex-officio super- 
intendent of schools, but little or no atten- 
tion was paid to the department until Mr. 
[Newsom's incumbency. 

The progress of the schools was slow dur- 
ing the first decade, and there was but one 
district until 1861, when San Simeon district 
was formed where several American families 



had settled on a small area of Government 
land along Santa Rosa Creek. The two dis- 
tricts comprised the county, the dividing 
line being entirely indefinite. There were now 
735 children of school age, and 230 under 
the limit, that is, a total of 965 children 
under eighteen years old, in the county. Of 
these, sixty- two attended the mission district 
school, and thirteen the San Simeon school 
in 1861. The records are much broken up 
to 1866, since when they are complete. 

In 1870 there were 1,275 children of 
school age in San Luis Obispo County, of 
whom 566 attended the public, and 109 at- 
tended private, schools. In 1880 the total 
number of school census children was 2,752, 
of whom 1,805 were in the public, and 
seventy-eight were in private, schools. In 
twenty years the number of public schools 
here increased from two to fifty- three, the 
corps of two was enlarged to one of fifty- 
nine teachers. In 1863 the appropriation 
from the county for the school fund was 
$613; the county tax rate for this purpose 
in 1882-'83 was fixed at twenty and one-half 
cents on each $100. 

The school reports for June 30, 1890, show 
there are 4,733 census children in San Luis; 
the total enrollment to 3,845; the average 
number belonging, 2,515; average daily at- 
tendance, 2,307. The number of districts 
has increased to ninety-two, with 112 teach- 
ers, of whom the men receive an average 
salary of $75, and the women $63. The 
total amount received from all sources, 
for school purposes, for this year, was 
$93,822.10. 

The districts are all well supplied with 
good school-houses, barring such as come 
under the law of one year's probation. The 
buildings are neat in style, and some care is 
had with regard to the condition of the 
grounds. The best edifices are those of San 



SAM LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



179 



Luis, San Miguel (where the main building 
cost $10,000), Paso de Pobles, which town 
has lately expended $8,000 upon two build- 
ings, and Nipomo, where the school-house 
cost $5,000. 

LIGHT-HOUSE. 

During the month of July, 1890, the light 
was shown at the new light-house on Point 
San Luis Obispo. This is a light of the 
fourth order, showing alternate red and 
white flashes, with thirty seconds interval, 
illuminating 240 degrees of the horizon; the 
focal plane is 133 feet above mean low water, 
and in clear weather the light can be seen at 
a distance of seventeen and one-half miles, 
from the deck of a vessel, fifteen feet above 
the sea. 

The approximate geographical position of 
this light-house is as follows: Latitude 
north 35°, 9', 32"; longitude west 120°, 
45', 42". 

This edifice was constructed from an ap- 
propriation of $50,000, made during the 
Cleveland administration. Its estimated 
cost as per the Government architect should 
be $38,000, but the contractor built it for 
$17,000, at a severe loss to himself. 

The light is shown from a black lantern 
surmounting a square frame tower attached 
to the southwest corner of a frame dwelling 
one and a half stories high, painted white, 
with brown roof, green blinds and lead 
colored trimmings. Some fifty yards east- 
ward stands another similar dwelling; be- 
tween the two, some fifty yards southward, 
is the steam fog-signal house, painted like 
the dwellings, and having two black smoke- 
stacks. The fog signal was put in place 
some weeks later than the light. Stephen 
D. Ballou is light-keeper. 

KAILWAYS. 

The Pacific Coast Railway, at that time 
known as the San Luis Obispo & Santa 



Maria Yalley Railway, was opened from 
Avila to Castro, some seven miles distant, 
February 1, 1876. Thence it was extended 
from Castro to San Luis Obispo, operations 
being begun August 16, 1876. The next 
section opened was from Avila to Port Har- 
ford, December 1, 1876; and the next, from 
San Luis to Arroyo Grande, the extension 
being completed and operations begun Octo- 
ber 16, 1881. Then followed the section 
from Arroyo Grande to Santa Maria, June 1, 
1882; thence Santa Maria to Los Alamos, 
October 4, 1882; and from Los Alamos to 
Los Olivos, the present terminus, November 
17, 1887. The total length of the road is 
now 76.1 miles in this county. 

THE BREAKWATER QUESTION. 

Since the days of the wreck of the iron 
bark Harlech Castle, off Piedras Blancas, in 
August, 1869, the need of a breakwater at 
Port Harford has been apparent. 

In January, 1850, the citizens of San Luis 
Obispo held a meeting and passed resolutions 
to petition Congress for an appropriation for 
the construction of a breakwater at the har- 
bor. In accordance with the spirit and in- 
structions of these resolutions. Hon. H. Y. 
Stanley, member of the Assembly from San 
Luis Obispo in the legislative session of 
1880 introduced the following resolution: 

"Resolved, By the Assembly, the Senate 
concurring, that our senators and represent- 
atives in Congress be and are hereby respect- 
fully and earnestly requested to procure an 
appropriation from the general Government, 
to be expended in the construction of a 
breakwater for the harbor of San Luis Obis- 
po, and to make said harbor a port of entry. 
The Governor of this State is hereby re- 
quested to transmit a certified copy of the 
foregoing resolution to each of our senators 
and representatives in Congress." 



180 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



The resolution was adopted, but while 
Congress voted many millions for improve- 
ments of rivers and harbors, the breakwater 
of San Luis Obispo was ignored. The port, 
including Port Harford, Avila, Pismo Wharf 
and all points in the bay, was made a port of 
delivery, where ships may discharge foreign 
cargo. 

From this period forward the Luisenos 
have kept up a pretty persistent clamor for a 
breakwater at Port Harford. Myron Angel 
in particular kept the matter constantly be- 
fore Congressman Markham,a member of the 
River and Harbor committee, as well as the 
representative from the Sixth District. Thus 
it came about that in the session of 1885-'86, 
Mr. Markham obtained an appropriation of 
$25,000 for the aforesaid purpose. This be- 
came ineffective because President Cleveland 
" pocketed " the bill. However, the matter 
had now been presented to Congress in such 
a fashion as to facilitate its revival at a 
future date. 

In the following Congress, Representative 
Vandever was petitioned to secure an appro- 
priation, and further, the citizens of San 
Luis raised a fund and sent to Washington 
a special emissary, Rev. R. L. Brock, whose 
efforts conduced largely toward the desired 
end. In this manner was definitely obtained 
an appropriation of $25,000. The contract 
was now let and the breakwater begun, $23,- 
000 being expended on the contract, and 
$2,000 on superintendence. 

During the Fifty-first Congress was made 
another appropriation, this time of $40,000, 
for continuing work on this breakwater, 
whose completion will certainly secure to 
San Luis Obispo one of the finest harbors on 
the coast of California. It is designed to 
connect this harbor with the Tulare Valley, 
this being the tide-water point nearest to that 
section. 



FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS. 

The pioneer secret society in San Luis was 
San Luis Obispo Lodge, No. 148, F. & A. M., 
which was organized May 16, 1861, by char- 
ter from the Grand Lodge of California. The 
members were Dr. Joseph M. Havens (who 
was county judge, also Past Master in Ma- 
sonry), Michael Henderson (who was a '49er, 
and one of the oldest Masons in the State, his 
initiation dating from Tuolumne County, in 
1850] ; Thompson D. Sackett, Abraham 
Blockman, Walter Murray, James McElrath, 
David F. Newsom, Joseph Riley, Joseph See, 
and James White. During the year, Gov- 
ernor Romualdo Pacheco and seven or eight 
others joined this lodge. The famine years, 
1863-'64, caused such changes in the popu- 
lation that but few of the old members re- 
mained here, and this lodge surrendered its 
charter. Some of the members joined other 
lodges, but San Luis Obispo County was 
without a Masonic organization until early in 
1869, when San Simeon Lodge, No. 196, was 
founded under dispensation, and in October 
under charter, at Cambria. 

The need for the Cambria Lodge to visit 
the town of San Luis to bury a prominent 
Mason led to the organization of King 
David's Lodge, No. 209, June 21, 1870, un- 
der dispensation, and November 1, under 
charter. This lodge in 1875 constructed a 
fine Masonic hall in San Luis Obispo. 

San Luis Obispo Chapter, No. 62, R. A. M., 
was constituted on April 28, 1883. 

In March, 1870, the Odd Fellows of San 
Luis Obispo organized Chorro Lodge, No. 
168, and the order has instituted a number 
of imposing anniversary celebrations. 

On September 28, 1870, Hesperian Lodge, 
No. 181, I. O. O. F., was organized at Cam- 
bria, with seven charter members. 

The first Rebekah Degree Lodge was 
Morse Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 25, in- 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



181 



stituted at Cambria, June 10, 1877. Imme- 
diately following was Friendship Rebekah 
Degree Lodge, No. 36, organized at San Luis 
Obispo, July 12, 1877, with twenty-eight 
charter members. 

Park Lodge, No. 40, Knights of Pythias, 
the first of the order in the county, was or- 
ganized December 20, 1876, at San Luis 
Obispo, with seven charter members, by dis- 
trict officers from Santa Barbara. 

On April 18, 1878, was instituted Section 
No. 147, Endowment Rank, K. of P. 

In June, 1873, wa$ founded at Cambria 
the Cambria Grange, No. 25, of California 
Patrons of Husbandry; in September, 1873, 
the grange at Arroyo Grande, and in 1874, 
five granges in this county reported to the 
State Grange. 

San LnisObispo Lodge, No. 122, I. O. G. 
T., was organized in February, 1878; Corral 
de Piedra Lodge, I. O. G. T., in February, 
1883; Obispo Council, A. L. of II., on May 
9, 1881; San Luis Obispo Division Inde- 
pendent Order of Missourians, on March 8, 
1879; Society of Pioneers, on June 14, 1879; 
the Temperance and Life Insurance Society? 
on May 9, 1870; the San Luis Obispo Agri- 
cultural Society, on March 25, 1875; the 
Order of Chosen Friends, on March 30, 1883, 
and the Irish Land League, May 13, 1883. 

THE PRESS. 

San Luis Obispo had been an American 
town for more than twenty years, and a 
county-seat for nearly eighteen years before she 
had a newspaper. This because the ways of 
life there were not such as tended to create 
excitement or foster greed for news. The 
chief interest of the country was in cattle- 
raising, and the section took life and variety 
from the consequent movements of the herds 
and drovers. 

On January 4, 1868, was issued the first 



number of the San Luis Obispo Pioneer, the 
first newspaper published in this county. Its 
publisher and proprietor was Rome G. Vick- 
ers, and it was by its own showing " an in- 
dependent weekly journal, devoted mainly to 
the interests and advancement of San Luis 
Obispo County." It was a four-page paper, 
and it appears to have had good patronage for 
a time although it proved a financial failure 
at last. 

The Pioneer inclined to the Democratic 
doctrines, and the Republican element com- 
bined to establish for themselves a party or- 
gan. Thus was issued on August 7, 1869, 
the first number of the San Luis Obispo 
Tribune, also a four-page paper, one or two 
of whose columns were printed in Spanish, as 
the language spoken by a majority of the 
people in the county. The paper was first 
under the proprietorship of H. S. Rembaugh 
& Co. In 1871 an interest in it was owned 
by Mr. James J. Ayers, one of the founders 
of the San Francisco Morning Call, now of 
the Los Angeles Herald. He remained but 
a few months with the Tribune. 

The Pioneer lived but about two years, and 
it was succeeded on February 12, 1870, by 
the Democratic Standard, between which 
and the Tribune was wa<jed a warfare of 
words more forcible than elegant. 

On March 20, 1878, appeared the first 
number of The South Coast, a four p^ge pa- 
per dedicated to the interests of the section. 
It was established by Mr. Charles L. Wood, a 
gentleman of considerable attainments. The 
South Coast was issued until August, 1879, 
when its plant was sold to the Southern Cali- 
fornia Advocate. 

Undeterred by the non-success of their 
predecessors, Messrs. C. II. Phillips and 
George W. Mank issued, on August 2, 1879, 
the Southern California Advocate, a folio of 
seven columns to the page. This paper nn- 



182 



SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. 



derwent various changes of proprietorship, 
continuing its issue until its fifty-second 
numher, when its subscription list was sold 
to the Tribune, and the material turned over 
to its creditors. 

The Mirror was established by Messrs. 
Doyle & Crenshaw in October, 1880, as an 
organ of the Democratic party. It was a 
large, well-managed folio sheet, issued weekly. 

On January 15, 1883, was issued the first 
number of the Republic, which was the first 
daily published in the county. The weekly 
edition followed promptly. The foundera 
were Messrs. E. F. O'Neil, A. Pennington 
and G. W. Jenkins. 

The county-seat now has two good jour- 
nals, the Tribune, daily and weekly, edited 



by Benjamin Brooks, being Republican in 
politics; and the Republic, an independent 
sheet, with Democratic proclivities, owned 
and edited by Messrs. Angel & Hughston. 
Both papers are well conducted and contain 
much information concerning the surround- 
ing section. 

Outside of the county-seat there are no 
daily newspapers; and tbe following is a list 
of the county weeklies: the Advance, of 
Templeton; the Moon and the Leader, Paso 
de Robles; the Courier and the Messenger, 
San Miguel; the Herald, of Arroyo Grande. 

The Templeton Times, the Nipomo News, 
and the Cambria Critic were issued for a 
time, but they have now suspended publi- 
cation. 



'^Qsi&£~ 




VENTURA COUNTY. 



183 




EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Although quite a number of Americans, 
being traders, sailors, or adventurers, had 
settled in various parts of the territory now 
known as Santa .Barbara County, none of 
them had located permanently at San Buena- 
ventura up to the time of American military 
occupation, since Santa Barbara, the more 
important town, had superior attractions for 
them. When Stevenson's regiment arrived 
in Southern California, Isaac Callahan and 
W. A. Streeter were put in charge of the 
mission at San Buenaventura. A few years 
later Russel Heath, in connection with Don 
Jose Arnaz and one Morris, established the 
first store within the present county limits. 
In 1850 came C. C. Rynerson and wife from 
the Mississippi Valley, camping at first at 
the mouth of the river San Buenaventura; 
they afterward moved northward. The first 
American farmer was A. Colombo, and Mr. 
Ware was the first blacksmith. Even as late 
as 1857 there were in the whole district but 
two houses of entertainment. One of these 
was a tent on the Sespe Rancho, and the other 
a little hostelry established in rooms in the 
east wing of the ex-mission buildings. It is 
worth while to note here a tribute to the cli- 
mate of Ventura County, paid by John Carr 
and wife, who kept this little inn or tavern. 



They had lived together for twelve years in 
childlessness, but within two years of their 
arrival in San Buenaventura they had pre- 
sented their country with no less than five 
children, products, so they declared, of the 
matchless climate! 

The first lumber-yard was kept by Thomas 
Dennis, but the date of his arrival is not 
given. Very early in the '50's T. Wallace 
More obtained a title to an immense tract 
of the richest land in the region ; he claimed 
over thirty miles along the Santa Clara and 
in other districts, possessions about as enor- 
mous, over which grazed 10,000 head of cat- 
tle. These lands were valued at ten to fifty 
cents the acre. During this period the whole 
Colonia Rancho was sold for $5,000, and this 
price the purchaser finally concluded was ex- 
orbitant. About 1854 W. D. Hobson re- 
moved to the Sespe, where he built a house 
and there lived in 1859. In 1858, the Amer- 
icans resident in San Buenaventura were: A. 
M. Cameron, Griffin Robbins, W. T. Nash, 

W. Williams, James Beebe, Park, W. 

D. Hobson, McLaughlin and one other, 

name unknown. A slate as 1860 there were 
but nine American voters in the precinct. 
Chaffee & Robbins, and afterward Chaffee & 
Gilbert, kept the only store in the town for 
many years. In 1860 the Fourth of July 



184 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



was celebrated here with a regular program 
of exercises, and much enthusiasm was dis- 
played. About this time the American pop- 
ulation was agmented by the arrival of John 
Hill, Y. A. Simpson, Albert Martin, G. S. 
Briggs, G. S. Gilbert, W. S. Chaffee, W. A. 
Norway, H. P. Flint, the Barnetts and 
Messrs. Burbank, Hankerson, Crane and 
Harrington. 

In 1861 a postoffice was established at 
San Buenaventura, and Y. A. Simpson be- 
came postmaster. The mail matter received, 
apparently, was not extensive, for it is related 
that on its arrival the postmaster was in the 
habit of depositing it in his hat, and then 
walking around among the citizens to deliver 
the letters. "This," says a previous histo- 
rian, "may be regarded as the first introduc- 
tion of the system of letter-carriers in Cali- 
fornia." This year the first brick house in 
town was built by W. D. Hobson, who moved 
hither from the Sespe. 

During the winter of 1861-'62, there was 
an excessive amount of wet weather; rain 
fell for sixty consecutive days; all the land 
to a great depth was saturated and reeking; 
live stock was reduced almost to starvation, 
the animals dying in great numbers. Land- 
slides were very frequent, half of the soil in 
certain localities being moved to a greater or 
less distance. The soil would often be dis- 
placed in patches of an acre or more. In the 
town various houses were submerged, or car- 
ried away bodily. The only life lost was that 
of Mr. Hewitt, a resident of Santa Barbara, 
-who was drowned while on a prospecting 
tour up the Pirn Creek. Travel was rendered 
almost impossible for twenty days. In 1862 
Messrs. Waterman, Yassault & Co., owning 
the lands of the ex-mission, laid out a town 
there. This enterprise had been projected as 
early as 1848, when Don Jose Arcaz laid out 
here a town site, and advertised the advan- 



tages of the spot in Eastern journals, offering 
lots to those who would make improvements 
upon them. This offer had not elicited re- 
sponse, and the subject had not been revived 
until the project above mentioned. The sur- 
vey made in this instance was rejected by the 
board of trustees after the town was incor- 
porated, and another was substituted. The 
first attempt to incorporate was in 1863, 
when a number of citizens met and drew up 
a petition addressed to the Legislature, ask- 
ing for incorporation. Ramon J. Hill, at 
that time a member from Santa Barbara 
County, opposed the proposition, and the sub- 
ject was dropped for the time. 

The following is given as an accurate list 
of the foreign (i. e., not Spanish or Mexican) 
citizens resident in San Buenaventura in 
1862: Eaptiste Ysoardy, who came in 1858; 
Agustin Solari, in 1857; Yictor Ususaus- 
tegui, in 1852; Ysidro Obiols, in 1853; An- 
tonio Sciappapietra in 1862; John Thomp- 
son, in 1862; Oscar Wells, George Y. Whit 
man, Albert and Frank Martin, in 1859; 
Myron Warner, in 1863; William Pratt, 
1866; William Whitney, 1864; Thomas R. 
Bard, in 1865; Henry Cohn, in 1866; Jo- 
seph Wolfson, 1867; Clements, 1868; 

Thomas Williams, 1866; A. T. Herring, 
1863; Henry Spears, 1865; Walter S. 
Chaffee, Yolney A. Simpson, John T. Stow, 
Griffin Bobbins, William S. Riley, William 
T. JSIash. Jefferson Crane, John Hill, Henry 
Clifton, Marshall Routh, George S. Gilbert, 
James Beebe, William H. Leighton, Samuel 
Barnett, Sr., Samuel Barnett, Jr., William 
Barnett, W. D. Hobson, Alex. Cameron, Mel- 
vin Beardsley, George Dodge, George S. 
Briggs, Albert de Chateauneuf and Henry 
Dubbers. 

GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS. 

In 1864 the question of incorporation was 
renewed and accomplished, but it was not 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



185 



until thirteen years later that the patents to 
the town site were received from the Govern- 
ment. This was the year of the disastrous 
"dry season.;" the rains of the preceding sea- 
son had not wet the ground deeper than three 
inches, and the feed was therefore a failure. 
From this cause two-thirds of all the stock in 
Ventura famished. 

The beginning of growth and development 
in Ventura is agreed to date back to the sub- 
division into small tracts of the large ranchos, 
thus inducing immigration and settlement by 
small farmers and fruit-raisers. In 1866, 
the Briggs tract was cut up and put on the 
market, and two years later began a general 
influx of Americans, from which directly re- 
sulted an epoch of prosperity which became 
assured with the breaking up and selling to 
actual settlers of the great ranchos of Santa 
Paula y Saticoy and Colonia or Santa Clara. 

The first cultivation of grain in Ventura 
County was by Christian Borchard and his 
son, J. A. Borchard, on the Colonia Rancho 
in 1867. Thirty acres each of wheat and 
barley were sown. The rust destroyed the 
wheat crop, but the barley yielded eighteen 
centals or hundreds per acre. 

The first Protestant church (Congrega- 
tional) was organized in San Buenaventura in 
1867. 

Again in 1867 was San Buenaventura 
visited by devastating waters. On Christ- 
mas Day of that year the Ventura River 
overflowed, and the water rose to a depth of 
three feet in Main Street. The lower part of 
the town was submerged, and the safety of 
the inhabitants was endangered. The land 
from the Santa Clara House to the river was 
flooded, and forty-seven women, gathered from 
the imperiled houses, were assembled in one 
small adobe shanty. Some of these had been 
brought from their flooded homes on horse- 
back, and others had been carried on the 



shoulders of men. This episode gave rise to 
various feats of real gallantry, courao-e, and 
daring. The immediate cause of the freshet 
was supposed to be the melting of heavy 
deposits of snows about the river's source, 
through the agency of warm rains falling 
upon them. 

In 1868 came hither Dr. Cephas L. Bard, 
the first American physician in San Buena- 
ventura. 

In September, 1870, San Buenaventura 
and Santa Barbara were placed in telegraphic 
communication. 

Anticipating the needs and opportunities 
to result from the creation of the new county, 
in immediate prospective, John H. Bradley 
in April, 1871, started the Ventura Signal 
at the proposed new county-seat. Mr. Brad- 
ley was a good and practical business man, 
and an editor of some experience; and so, 
avoiding the political issues not properly 
within the province of a country newspaper, 
he devoted his attention to the production 
and publication of matter relative to the rec- 
ommendations and resources of the section; 
such as would contribute to the advancement 
and advertisement of the region and its 
merits. 

Contemporaneously with the formation of 
the county, work was begun to provide canals 
to supply water for domestic and irrigating 
purposes. The old Mission waterworks, 
which brought a supply from six miles up 
the Ventura River, was overhauled and re- 
paired, portions of the aqueduct having been 
destroyed by the excessive rains of 1861-'62. 

Owing to the difficulties attending the 
disembarkation of freight and passengers by 
means of lighters to transport them between 
the vessels and the shore; it became evident 
that a wharf was an absolute necessity to the 
public. Accordingly, in January, 1871, a 
franchise was procured, and work was begun 



I8G 



VENTURA COUATY. 



upon the structure, by Joseph Wolfson. The 
beginning of operations was signalized by 
formal ceremonies. In August of this year 
the right to construct a wharf at Hueneine 
was granted to Thos. R. Bard, C. L. Bard and 
R. G. Surdam. 

By February, 1872, the Ventura wharf 
was so far completed as to obviate further 
necessity for lightening steamers now dis- 
charging directly upon it. Rates of toll were 
instituted, and an instrument of great public 
utility was firmly established. 

In May, 1871, was formed the Santa Clara 
Irrigating Company, designed to water the 
fertile lauds of the Colonia Rancho from the 
Santa Clara River. The canal therefor was 
twelve miles long, twelve feet wide, and two 
feet deep, with branches of smaller dimensions. 

In 1871 also surveys were made for "The 
Farmers' Canal and Water Ditch," taking 
water from the Santa Paula Creek, and con- 
veying it some eight and a half miles down 
the valley. 

In December, 1871, Ysabei Yorba sold to 
Dickenson & Funk the Gnadalasca Rancho, 
comprising 22,000 acres, for $28,500. 

In 1872 many property owners refused to 
pay taxes, owing to the abeyance of financial 
settlement between Ventura and Santa Bar- 
bara counties. 

In July, 1872, the first gold was taken to 
Santa Barbara from the Sespe mines. 

On September 16, 1872, the corner-stone 
of the high school building at San Buena- 
ventura was laid. This building was the 
first public building erected in the county. 
The total number of school children in the 
county at that time was 800. 

SEGREGATION OK DIVISION FKOM SANTA BAR- 
BARA COUNTY. 

The inception of the plan for setting off 
Ventura from Santa Barbara County dates as 



far back as 1868. In that year began a new 
era of growth, increase in population, and 
prosperity in business. This was mainly 
owing to the subdivision into small tracks of 
several important ranchos in the district. 
The sale of these tracts to small farmers and 
fruit-growers brought immigration, the estab- 
lishment of industries, production, and the 
circulation of money. As the country be- 
came populous, the citizens desired local, 
independent government, and so began to 
agitate the project of creating a new county. 
This question w T as made an issue of the elec- 
tion of 1869, and Mr. A. G. Escandon was 
elected to the Assembly for the purpose of 
furthering the plan, but the measure mis- 
carried in the Legislature, thanks to the 
opposition offered by the northern pait of 
the county. The Venturans were not van- 
quished by this defeat, but continued to carry 
on a vigorous fight for division. The Ven- 
tura Signal, established largely with a view 
to that end, was a powerful weapon in this 
struggle, devoting itself to demonstrating the 
advantages of such division. It is not un- 
interesting to note some uf the statistics 
presented in this discussion. Santa Barbara 
County then had a total area of 5,150 square 
miles, or 3,491,000 acres, of which 1,570,419 
acres were covered by Spanish grants, 1,920-, 
581 acres being public lands, the most of 
which were of an inferior character. The 
proposed new county comprised 20,600 acres 
of improved land and 2,000 acres of wooded 
land, probably of individual ownership, and 
390,000 acres of unimproved land, of private 
holding. It was estimated that the real estate 
was worth $3,018,200 ; personal property, 
$911,000; the total valuation for the projected 
new couuty being $3,929,200. There were 
2,800 head of horses and mules, 6,000 horned 
cattle, and 7,400 sheep, — worth in the aggre- 
gate, $442,000; the wool clip was 350,000 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



187 



pounds; there were produced 35,000 pounds 
of butter and 20,000 pounds of cheese an- 
nually, the revenue from farm products being 
$307,000. The new county would contain, 
as per the Signal of February 17, 1872, an 
area of 2,000 square miles, and a population 
of 3,500, with an assessment roll of $1,200,- 
000, leaving Santa Barbara with 3,000 square 
miles, 7,000 inhabitants, and an assessment 
roll of $2,000,000. 

By the opening of the session of the Legisla- 
ture of 1871-'72, there had been engendered 
so strong a public sentiment as to result in 
organized action, and W. D. Hobson, a prom- 
inent citizen, was chosen and sent to Sacra- 
mento to work for the desired end. So 
successful were the measures now taken that 
the bill, when presented to the Assembly, 
passed with but one dissentient vote; and in 
the Senate it was approved also, March 22, 
1872, and it was ordained to be in force on 
and after January 1, 1873. The boundaries 
prescribed for the new county were as follows: 
Commencing on the coast of the Pacific 
Ocean, at the mouth of the Rincon Creek, 
thence following up the center of said creek 
to its source; thence due north to the bound- 
ary line of Santa Barbara County; thence in 
an easterly direction along the boundary line 
of Santa Barbara County to the northeast 
corner of the same; thence southerly along 
the line between the said Santa Barbara 
County to the Pacific Ocean and three miles 
therein; thence in a northwesterly direction 
to a point due south of and three miles dis- 
tant from the center of the mouth of Rin- 
con Creek; thence north to the point of 
beginning and including the islands Anacapa 
and San Nicolas. 

Contemporaneously with the passage of 
the bill for county division, great activity 
sprang up in Ventura. During the summer, 
the immigration was so extensive that the 



accommodations were insufficient to hold the 
new arrivals. Municipal improvements were 
instituted, new buildings were erected, in- 
cluding a hotel and a $10,000 school-house, 
water companies were established to supply 
the needs for irrigation and domestic pur- 
poses, and the county government was organ- 
ized, with the usual complement of officers, 
the county to contain three townships, three 
supervisorial districts, and eight election pre- 
cincts. The townships were: Ventura, Sat- 
icoy, Hueneme; the supervisorial districts 
coincided with the respective townships; the 
election precincts were: San Buenaventura, 
La Canada, Mountain View, Sespe, Saticoy, 
Pleasant Valley, San Pedro, and Hueneme. 

The Legislature appointed a board of com- 
missioners, consisting of S. Bristol, Presi- 
dent; Thomas It. Bard, Secretary; W. D. F. 
Richards, A. G. Escandon, and C. W. Thacker, 
to put into action the government of Ventura 
County. Meeting on January 15, 1873, this 
board issued a proclamation calling for an 
election to be held on the 25th day of Feb- 
ruary following, to elect district attorney, 
county clerk, school superintendent, sheriff, 
assessor, county treasurer, county surveyor, 
coroner, and supervisors. 

The county was divided into three town 
ships, Ventura, Saticoy, and Hueneme, the 
islands of San Nicolas and Anacapa being 
attached to and forming a part of Hueneme 
Township. The voting places were estab- 
lished for the various election precincts, num- 
bering eight. 

As soon as the county government was 
established, certain changes were made in the 
road districts. 

All the territory in the first supervisorial 
district was made into the San Buenaventura 
road district; the third supervisorial district 
was designated as constituting the Saticoy 
road district, and Mountain View and Sespe 



188 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



road districts were united into one under the 
name of Sespe road district. 

The first election was held on February 25, 
1873. The Republicans had desired a fusion 
of parties and nominations irrespective of 
politics; but, the Democrats opposing this 
proposition, the usual course was followed, 
the result being a Democratic victory. The 
total vote polled was 630. The officers elected 
were as follows: District judge, Pablo de la 
Guerra; county judge, Milton Wason; dis- 
trict attorney, J. Marion Brooks; county 
clerk, Frank Molleda (dying very shortly, S. 
M. W. Easley was appointed); sheriff, Frank 
Peterson; treasurer, E. A. Edwards; assessor, 
J. Z. Barnett; superintendent of schools, F. 
S. S. Buckman; surveyor, C. J. De Merritte; 
coroner, Dr. Cephas L. Bard; county phy- 
sician, Dr. S. P. Guiberson; supervisors, 
James Daley, J. A. Conaway, C. W. Thacker; 
justices of the peace, J. W. Guiberson, W. D. 
Hobson, F. A. Sprague, J. G. Richer, John 
Saviers, R. J. Colyear. 

On April 13, 1873. a final settlement with 
Santa Barbara was effected under the terms 
of the act of Legislature of March 22, 1872. 
The commissioners from Ventura were 
Thomas R. Bard and Charles Lindley, and 
from Santa Barbara, Ul piano Yndart and C. 
E. Huse. Their report was as follows: 

Assets to March 20, 1873 $10,693.87 

Old court-house and lot 3,000.00 

Present unfinished court-house with proceeds 

of bonds 50,000.00 

Interest paid and unpaid on same 1,652 76 

Cost of advertising 400.00 

Delinquent taxes collected to date 3,810.78 

Funds for interest on hand 2,698.92 

Total assets $72,256.33 

Bonds of 1856 and subsequent indebtedness. $19,796.42 

Court-house and jail bonds 50,000.00 

Interest due on same 777.76 

Total indebtedness $70,574.18 

Excess of assets 1,682.15 



of which the proportion belonging to Ventura 
County was fixed at $581.52. 

ORGANIZATION AND ANNALS. 

The supervisors in May, 1873, ordered the 
issue of $20,000 in interest-bearing bonds, 
to meet current expenses, and advertised for 
bids for the same; they also authorized the 
transcription of such portion of the records 
of Santa Barbara as related to Ventura Coun- 
ty, paying F. A. Thompson $4,000 for that 
service. The county-seat was appointed by 
the creating act to l>e at San Buenaventura, 
and the question of county buildings at once 
assumed importance, as the rental paid by the 
county for the use of private buildings 
amounted to $1,044 per annum, besides $3 
per diem paid for guarding the prisoners, in 
the absence of a jail building. Hence the 
supervisors appropriated $6,000 of the funds 
resulting from the sale of the bonds, to the 
erection of a court-house, on condition that 
private parties should donate $4,000 and also 
a suitable site for the purpose. 

Bishop Amat, head of the Roman Catholic 
diocese of Southern California, now renewed 
his previous offer of three blocks of the old 
mission garden, on condition of the erection 
within two years of a $10,000 building. 
These terms were accepted, the $4,000 sub- 
scribed by the citizens, and the court-houee 
was promptly built. 

In the autumn of 1873 took place the regu- 
lar State and county election, resulting in the 
seating of the entire Republican ticket except 
the school superintendent. 

By the following enumeration of holdings 
may be seen what radical changes by this 
time had come about in land ownership since 
1868, when the whole territory of the present 
county had been owned by a handful of men 
in great ranchos, largely uncultivated. In 
1873 there were: ninety-five ranchos of 100 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



189 



to 200 acres ; nine ranchos of 200 to 400 acres ; 
seven of 500 acres; two of 600 acres; six 
of 800 acres; two of 900 acres; seven of 1,000 
acres; one of 1,100 acres; three of 2,000 
acres; one of 2,500 acres; one of 4,000 acres; 
two of 4,500 acres; two of 6,500, and one 
each of 8,000, 9,000, 10,500, 12,500, 13,500, 
17,090, 23,000, 24,000, 42,000 and 131,083 
acres. Total number of acres assessed, 338,- 
761; value assessed $1,554,951. 

A very sensational tragedy had place in 
the record of this year. At the Colon i a 
Rancho, George Ilargan, after disputing 
George Martin's land boundaries, shot and 
instantly killed Martin, and he was immedi- 
ately captured and lynched by the neighbors 
of the murdered man. 

In April, 1873, extensive bodies of gyp- 
sum were found on the Ojai Rancho. 

On June 23, 1873, the Ventura Reading 
Club was organized. 

In 1873 Mr. Bradley, on account of ill- 
health, retired from the Signal, Messrs. W. 
E. Shepherd and John T. Sheridan succeed- 
ing him. 

In January, 1874, was published the first 
report of the county treasurer, which showed 
that the preceding year's receipts were $20,- 
522, and the disbursements $5,018, leaving 
a balance of $15,504. 

In 1874 were made extensive additions and 
improvements to the wharf constructed at 
San Buenaventura in 1871. 

On November 23, 1874, the Ventura Lib- 
rary Association was incorporated. 

During: 1874 there was a notable advance 
in population and in wealth throughout Ven- 
tura County, and many new and important 
institutions were organized. The Fourth of 
July was here celebrated with a vim and an 
originality perhaps not equaled elsewhere in 
the State. In August, the question of local 
option in regard to the traffic in liquor came 



up in Ventura, but on putting it to a vote of 
the people, the temperance faction was put 
badly in the minority. On September 19, the 
bank of Ventura was founded; on September 
20, the trotting park was opened to racing. 
At the election this year, some attention was 
paid to the nativity of the voters, and the 
population was found to be very cosmopolitan, 
numbering members from almost every 
country. The tax list showed thirty-five 
citizens owning from $10,000 to $187,000 
each worth of property. A notable feature 
of this year's record was the remarkable 
lowering of rates and fares. The jealous com- 
petition between the South Pacific Coast 
Steamship Company and the California Steam 
Navigation Company, brought the fare from 
Ventura down to $3 to San Francisco, and 
$4 to San Diego, while merchandise was 
transported for $1.50 per ton. The shipments 
of produce from San Buenaventura for the 
six months ending May 1, 1874, were: 
wheat, 5,600 sacks; barley, 23,000 sacks; 
corn, 6,000 sacks; beans, 2,100 sacks; wool, 
1,000 sacks; hogs, 300; sheep, 700; petroleum, 
1,876 barrels. 

The winter of 1874-'75 was an exception- 
ally wet one. In one week of January, 1875, 
^ttto mcnes feU ft t San Buenaventura, while 
the fall in the Ojai Valley was tremendous, 
it being estimated that ten inches of water 
fell within twenty-four hours, whereas, even 
in those sections where the fall sometimes 
amounts to sixty inches in the season, a fall 
of three inches in twenty- four hours is con- 
sidered excessive. Peculiarly enough, too, 
the excessive fall here was not general 
throughout the State that season. The phe- 
nomenal quantity here was attributable to 
cloudbursts. The rivers, San Buenaventura 
and Clara, were for days at a time impass- 
able. 

The year 1875 witnessed the establishment 



190 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



of various institutions of the highest impor- 
tance to the comfort and advancement of the 
section. The " Monumentals," a fire com- 
pany, was organized, comprising in its officers 
and members many of the most respected 
citizens of San Buenaventura. The Ventura 
Gas Company was also instituted, the city 
appreciating the need of efficient street illu- 
mination; and an impulse was given to manu- 
facturing industry, in the opening of a large 
steam planing-mill. 

The Free Press was first issued November 
30 of this year, running for a very few months 
as a daily, and continuing as a weekly. 

The diversity in the California field of 
politics at this time bore its natural fruits 
here as elsewhere. There were three State 
tickets before the people, and Ventura en- 
tered into the canvass with great energy and 
enthusiasm; the Republicans, fearing injury 
to their cause by the disaffection of the tem- 
perance people, prepared a ticket to unite 
these two factions. Nevertheless, the Demo- 
crats elected most of their candidates. This 
election took also the sense of Ventura for 
the new Constitutional Convention, at this 
time offered for suffrage. 

It was on April 13 of this year that a final 
settlement of finances was effected between 
this and the mother county of Santa Barbara, 
under the terms of the act of March 22, 
1872. The commissioners from Ventura, 
Thomas R. Bard and Charles Lindley, 
met with C. E. Huse and Ulpiano Yndart, of 
Santa Barbara, and, making the estimates and 
balancing accounts, they found Ventura en- 
titled to $581.52. 

Early in 1876 came a disaster for Ventura, 
in the loss of the Kalorama, which was an 
iron schooner-rigged steamer of 491 tons' 
burden, belonging to the Coast Steamship 
Company; she had accommodations for sixty- 
three cabin, fourteen steerage and thirty-nine 



deck passengers. Built in England, and 
purchased for the coast trade, she had been 
since the beginning of 1873 plying between 
San Francisco and San Diego, and way ports, 
alternating with the Constantine. On Fri- 
day, February 25, 1876, she lay at Wolfson's 
wharf, when, being chafed by the roll of the 
surf, she was ordered to move out to the 
floating buoy. On the way thither, the screw 
fouled with the mooring line, and left the 
vessel at the mercy of the wind, which drove 
her ashore at once. No lives were lost, but 
as she lay on the beach the heavy machinery 
broke loose in her hull and beat her to pieces ; 
the loss was $77,500. 

Ventura, always fond of civic displays, cele- 
brated the Fourth of July in this the Centen- 
nial year, with actual pomp. Besides the 
program of parade, orations, music, etc., a 
dinner was prepared on the grounds for no 
less than 3,000 individuals. At Sespe also, 
there was a spirited celebration. 

There had now been added two more pre- 
cincts (Santa Paula and Conejo) to the origi- 
nal eight in the county, and they polled at 
the presidential election in this year an ag- 
gregate of 1,097 votes. The Hayes elect- 
ors received 608 votes, the Tilden electors 
590; Pacheco, Republican nominee for Con- 
gress received 694, and Wigginton, Demo- 
cratic candidate, 532. There were now 1,400 
names on the Great Register, and an estimated 
population of 7,000, being just double that 
in the county at the date of organization. 
There were now twenty-seven citizens paying 
taxes on $10,000; twelve paying on more 
than $15,000; seventeen on $20,000 to $50, 
000, and one each paying respectively $75,- 
000, $100,000, $150,000, and $200,000. 

The year 1877 was made fairly calamitous 
by a drouth of excessive severity. Great 
numbers of sheep and cattle perished from 
the lack of feed caused by the dry weather, 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



191 



and multitudes were saved only by transpor- 
tation to distant pasture-? where feed was 
plentiful. T. Wallace More, of Ventura, sent 
10,000, and Metcalf & Co., 6,000 head of 
sheep through the Soledad Pass to Elizabeth 
Lake, in Los Angelos County, where good 
grazing was found and great herds of cattle 
were sent by various owners to Arizona. 

On March 29, 1877, the brig Crimea, of 
223 tons, loaded with lumber, while made 
fast to the wharf, parted her lines and was 
beached during a heavy westerly gale and 
sea; loss $9,200. It was reported also that a 
portion of the wharf was washed away. 

On the evening of October 22, Charles 
Bartlett and Walter Perkins walked down 
the wharf to watch the heavy rollers, caused 
by a southeaster. Finally, alarmed by the 
tremendous height of three, the largest they 
had ever seen, the gentlemen decided to beat 
a hasty retreat, and they ran up the wharf at 
full speed. When thej bad covered some 
two-thirds of the distance to shore, the first 
of the rollers struck and breached the wharf, 
and at the progress of the wave the piles 
bent down before it like grass-stalks. The 
two fleeing men barely saved themselves from 
being overtaken by the waves, and the wharf 
reeled and rolled beneath their feet as tbey 
fairly flew along it. 

On December 1, the brig Lucy Ann, of 
199.61 tons, here parted her moorings in a 
northwesterly gale and a heavy sea, and was 
wrecked, with a loss of one life and $6,500. 

These repeated disasters caused the people 
of Ventura to yearn for a Government appro- 
priation for a breakwater, and they accord- 
ingly entered a petition therefor. In conse- 
quence of their representations, Lieutenant 
Seaforth, of the United States Engineers, 
examined the port or roadstead, and made an 
exhaustive report, adversely, however, to the 
construction of the breakwater. 



Ventura County made substantial progress 
this year; business was in a prosperous con- 
dition, and manufacturing interests were be- 
ginning to awaken. A substantial brewery 
had been erected, with a capacity of 1,500 
gallons per week. The Casitas Pass road was 
inaugurated this year, under an $8,990 con- 
tract, the expenses being met by the issue of 
bonds for $8,000, which were sold for $8,580 
to Sutro & Co., of San Francisco, thus index- 
ing the solvent condition of the county; the 
assessed value of all taxable property here had 
now risen to $3,270,161. 

The election this year distributed the offi- 
ces pretty evenly between Democrats and 
Republicans. One office was yielded to the 
Democrats with considerable bitterness of 
spirit by the Ventura constituency, who, with 
the Republicans of Santa Barbara and San 
Luis Obispo, had nominated T. R. Bard, the 
reputed wealthiest man in the county, as the 
Republican candidate for the State Senate, as 
against Murphy, a wealthy land -owner of San 
Luis Obispo. Mr. Bard was nominated with- 
out a dissenting voice, and received a hand- 
some majority in his own section, but the 
Democratic vote in the other two counties 
elected his opponent. 

The chief item recorded for 1878 is the 
arrival from San Francisco, in January, of the 
apparatus of a hook and ladder company, 
following the " Monumentals," long the only 
fire company in Ventura. 

The record of public events for 1879 is 
mostly political. This was the year of the 
Workingmen's agitation, so that three tickets, 
partial or entire, were in the field. White 
and Perkins, two of the three gubernatorial 
candidates, addressed the people of Ven- 
tura, as did also Denis Kearney, the agita- 
tor-in chief of the Workingnien ; he, however, 
was not received here with enthusiasm. The 
result of the election was a pretty fair 



192 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



distribution of the offices among the three 
parties. 

The progress of matters agricultural in this 
section may he judged from the following 
figures: With a total population of about 
7,000, the assessed valuation of property was 
about $3,394,000, with a cultivated area of 
75,000 acres. The crops comprised: barley, 
36,000 acres; corn, 19,000; wheat, 13,000; 
beans, 1,800; flax, 1,250; alfalfa, 900; oats, 
550; potatoes, 300; canary seed, 285; and 
570 of vegetables, peanuts, tobacco, etc. In 
orchards and vineyards there were 37,000 acres, 
of which 1,500 acres were planted to English 
walnuts, 300 to oranges, 210 to grapes, 75 
to lemons, and about 1,100 to other fruits. 

Early in 1880, the people of Ventura were 
thrown into violent excitement by an affair 
whose mystery continued unraveled. Miss 
Jennie McLean, an accomplished young lady, 
a favorite in the community, while alone and 
engaged about household matters, was at- 
tacked and struck down by a terrible blow on 
the head, dealt by some unknown party, who 
heat her into insensibility. Her jewelry was 
not taken, and it was never known whether 
her assailant was man or woman, nor whether 
the object was plunder, jealousy or revenge, 
although Miss McLean was not known to 
have an enemy in the world. The deed had 
the seeming of a frenzy of insanity, rather 
than the act of an ordinary criminal, and it 
is not impossible that it was such, and that a 
connection might have been traced between 
this and an occurrence some three weeks later. 
On June 15, a young man named Mills, 
nephew of Governor A. A. Low, hoarded the 
stage at Ventura, and after traveling a few 
miles it was noticed that he held a new 
hatchet, with which he threatened to kill the 
driver unless he kept out of the way of par- 
tieS who, Mills fancied, were in pursuit of 
himself, in order to take his life. The driver 



was compelled to keep his horses lashed to a 
run for miles, to avoid having his head split 
open. The unsatisfactory passenger, on 
reaching Newhall's Rancho, sprang to the 
ground with his hatchet, and with deer-like 
speed ran to the hills. Some days later he 
was found, being reduced to a famishing con- 
dition. 

On the 26th of December, the ill-fated 
wharf met with another misfortune, the waves 
carrying away 200 feet of its outer end, to- 
gether with some freight piled thereon. 

The traffic from this port had now attained 
such proportions that the facilities for trans- 
portation were entirely inadequate. 

In round numbers, San Buenaventura ex- 
ported in 1880, 4,000,000 pounds of corn, 
800,000 of barley, 1,400,000 of wheat, 1,- 
100,000 of beans, and 60,000 of potatoes. 
From Hueneme were shipped during this 
period about 2,100,000 pounds of corn, 
240,000 of barley, 2,200,000 of wheat, and 
64,000 pounds of wool. From the three 
counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, 
and Ventura, were shipped 1,800,000 pounds 
of wool during this year. 

The events of 1881 were neither exciting 
nor of a nature to make a permanent impress 
upon the community. There were two mur- 
der cases, of a commonplace character, upon 
the docket; there was some animation in local 
musical circles, and there was a temperance 
agitation, which led to the establishment of 
four lodges of Good Templars, with an aggre- 
gate membership of over 300. Also, eighty 
feet of extension were added to the wharf, 
Beyond these, and the Garfield funeral exer- 
cises, which were of a character truly im- 
pressive, there were chronicled no points 
of especial interest. Assessed valuations, 
$3,347,787. 

Ventura's bean crop for 1880-'81 amounted 
to 35,000 bushels. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



193 



The season of 1882 appeared less prosper- 
ous than many preceding years, to judge by 
the assessment roll, which showed a diminu- 
tion from that of the preceding year, being 
at present $3,171,127. This loss was due 
mainly to the decrease in sheep, of which 
large numbers died in the winter and early 
spring. 

The State election, held November 7, 1882, 
gave the Democratic candidates slight majori- 
ties, ranging from six to forty-five votes. 
There were cast here thirty-five votes for the 
Prohibition candidate for Governor. 

The assessment roll for this year showed a 
depreciation, enumerating property worth 
$3,171,127 only, while the previous year had 
shown $3,347,787. This was mainly due to 
the loss in sheep, of which large numbers 
died in the early spring. This county pro- 
duced 30,000 bushels of beans in the season 
of 1881-'82. 

The delinquent tax list of Ventura for 
1883 was so short, being only one and a half 
columns, that the Signal printed it gratis as a 
matter of news, and the Free Press officially 
at a nominal price. 

Ventura County was awarded the first 
premium for county exhibits at theMechanics' 
Institute Fair of 1885 in San Francisco. 

The next succeeding feature of general 
interest, was the construction, in the fall of 
1886, of the Coast Line branch of the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, whose advent brought new 
life and development to the section. 

The following figures, taken from the 
official returns for 1887 of the county clerk, 
county auditor, and county assessor, will serve 
as a basis of comparison of the developments 
of the past few years : 

1885, Total value assessed property, $4,574,208 

1880, " " " " 4,693,098 

1886, " county indebtedness, 22,000 

Number acres assessed 449,937 



Real estate, other than town property, $4,050,467 

Real estate improvements thereon, 322,865 

Real estate, city and town property, 618,107 

Improvements on same, 245,939 

Total value real estate, 4,668,574 

Total value real estate improvements, 568,304 

Total value personal property, 1,178,694 

Total assessed valuations, $6,415,572 

Total county indebtedness, bonds out- 
standing, $22,000.00 

Cash in county treasury, November 5, 1887, 14,292.14 
Amount thereof applicable to indebtedness, 6,684.79 

Bonds paid January 1, 1888, 8,000.00 

Total county indebtedness, July I, 1888,. . . 14,000.00 

The rate of taxation for 1887 was $2 on 
the $100. 

For 1887 there were shipped from the 
ports of San Buenaventura and Hueneme 
the following, all of which were produced in 
Ventura County: 

Beans, sacks 114,989 

Corn, " 58,486 

Wheat, " 93,558 

Barley, " 424,485 

Potatoes, " 4,686 

Flaxseed, " 7,150 

Eng. Walnuts, " 1,171 

Mustard, " 1,004 

Bird Seed, " 1,638 

Eggs, cases 1,040 

Honey, " 9,630 

Oil, bbls 31,170 

Oil, tanks 2,362 

Wool, bales 1,755 

Lemons, boxes 2,007 

Hogs, No 11,978 

Sheep, " 7,445 

Hides, " 916 

The estimated population being 7,500, this 
would allow to each of 1,500 families of five 
persons in Ventura County an income of 
$1,328. 

For 1888-'89 the San Buenaventura Wharf 
Company's statement showed export ship- 
ments of 174,158 packages, and import ship- 
ments of 113,227 packages of merchandise 
and 5,715,140 feet of lumber. 



194 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



Over the Hueneme wharf were exported 
during this period 534,757 packages, of 
which 436,539 were sacks of beans, 18,143 
sacks of wheat, 30,302 sacks of corn, and 
32,864 barrels of oil, thus showing the chief 
staples for the year. 

In addition to the above shipments out of 
the county over the Southern Pacific were as 
follows, in pounds: beans, 1,766,700; grain 
1,110,900; potatoes, 147,500; cattle, 160,000; 
sheep, 100,000; hogs, 2,360,000; flour and 
mill stuff, 384,000; bees and honey, 214,300; 
dried fruit, 218,400; green fruit, 1,090,000; 
nuts, 40,800; wool, 402,300; hay, 1,871,000; 
brick and tile, 357,200; stone, 3,176,340; oil, 
41,268,000; asphaltum, 261,500; miscellane- 
ous, 2,861,000. 

Late in 1889 the statistics gathered from 
the Southern Mill and Warehouse Company 
showed shipments as follows : Barley, 
2,676,123 pounds; Lima beans, 2,109,090; 
common beans, 756,243; corn, 308,750; wal- 
nuts, 10,000; honey, 74,463; apricots, 145,- 
726; miscellaneous, 300,000. Total ship- 
ments, actual weight, 6,380,395 pounds. 

At the same time there was in the ware- 
house: of barley 2,089,090 pounds; wheat, 
453,010; honey, 54,853; common beans, 
136,839; making a grand total of 9,114,187 
pounds of farm products, from which, making 
a low estimate, the farmers of this vicinity 
must have derived an ag^re^ate revenue of 
$200,000. 

The statement of the San Buenaventura 
Wharf Company for the year ending May? 
1890, shows transactions over that structure 
as follows: 44,748 bags corn, 54,692 bags 
beans, 25,370 of barley, 1,393 of potatoes, 
2,737 of wheat, 1,199 of dried fruit, 2,323 of 
walnuts, 86 of popcorn, 83 of almonds, 221 
of peanuts, 35 of mustard seed, 9 of garlic, 
1,220 packages of merchandise, 234 of house- 
hold goods, 3,167 cases honey, 90 cases lubri- 



cator, 215 of coal oil, 262 of eggs, 1,207 
empty beer kegs, 1,362 boxes oranges, 1,047 
boxes lemons, 294 boxes raisins, 4 of butter, 
393 green apricots, 607 of apples, 18 of per- 
simmons, 15 of peaches, 38 of nectarines, 104 
of pears, 74 of limes, 20 of prunes, 1,333 
barrels asphaltum, 1,091 of distillate, 6,045 
of crude oil, 322 barrels of empty bottles, 209 
of tallow, 624 tons asphaltum, 89 tons of old 
iron, 527 bales wool, 1,350 bales hides, 153 
bales pelts, 27 bales seaweed, 31 coops live 
fowls, 1 steam engine, 4 horses. 

The imports were 93,563 packages mer- 
chandise, and 261,059 feet of lumber. 

The value of the wharf warehouses and 
fixtures is placed at $79,000 at this time. 

Some idea of the relative charges on freight 
may be formed from the statement that the 
income of this wharf from all sources was 
$11,754.43 during the year. 

The Hueneme Wharf Company for 1889- 
'90 shows exports as follows: — 279,613 sacks 
barley, 17,018 of wheat, 34,638 of corn, 396 
cases honey, 13,462 sacks beans, 1,447 bales 
wool, 295 sacks mustard seed, 223 of wal- 
nuts, 4,824 of potatoes, 519 cases eggs, 1,202 
hogs, 2,117 sheep, 249 boxes butter, 46 coops 
fowls, 489 bundles hides, 122 bundles pelts, 
86 barrels tallow, 29 sacks apricots, 30 of 
onions, 2 of beeswax, 3 of peas; miscellane- 
ous packages, 963. 

Ventura County at present, October, 1890, 
contains twenty-one election precincts, as fol- 
lows: — San Buenaventura precincts, Nos. 1, 
2 and 3; La Canada, Bincon, Santa Ana, 
Oj-ei, Cuyama, Piru, Camulos, Sespe, Santa 
Paula, Nos. 1 and 2, Saticoy, Mound, Pleas- 
ant Valley, San Pedro, Simi, Conejo, Spring- 
ville and Hueneme. 

The postoffices in Ventura County are Ven- 
tura, Hueneme, Santa Paula, Saticoy, Nord- 
hoff, Bardsdale, Camulos, Fillmore, Matilija, 
Montalvo, Newbury Park, New Jerusalem, 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



195 



Piru City, Punta Gorda, Siinf, Springville, 
and Timber ville. The first five are money 
order offices, and Ventura has international 
exchange. 

There are four banks in Ventura County, 
aggregating paid up capital amounting to 
nearly $400,000. 

The present officers of Ventura County are 
are as follows: — 

E. H. Heacock State Senator 

G. W. Wear (with Kern County) Assemblyman 

B. T. Williams Supreme Judge 

W. H. Reilly Sheriff 

L. F. Eastin County Clerk 

W. H. Jewett Auditor and Recorder 

Orestes Orr District Attorney 

Paul Charlebois Treasurer 

James Donlon Assessor 

C. L. Bard County Physician 

F. M. Patton Coroner 

C. T. Meredith Supt. Public Schools 

J- T. Stow County Surveyor 

A. W. Browne ^ 

B. W. Dudley . . . . | 

F. A. Foster y County Supervisors. 



C. N. Baker. 
E. H. Owens. 



J 



OFFICERS OF THE XJ. S. CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURTS 
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. 

Stephen J. Field Circuit Judge 

Lorenzo Sawyer Circuit Judge 

Erskine M. Ross District Judge 

George Denie U. S. Attorney 

David R. Risley U. S. Marshal 

William M. VanDyke Clerk of Circuit Court 

E. H. Owen Clerk of District Court 



Charles L Balcheller 



) Standing Master and 
f Examiner in Chan. 



COMMISSIONERS. 

William M. VanDyke Los Angeles 

E. H. Owen Los Angeles 

Charles Fernald Santa Barbara 

L. C. McKeeby Ventura 

Charles G. Hubbard San Diego 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

Ventura County lies 300 miles southeast 
of San Francisco, and twenty- five miles 
northwest of Los Angeles. It is bounded 



on the west by Santa Barbara County, on the 
north and east by Kern and Los Angeles 
counties, and on tha south by the Pacific 
Ocean. It also includes the islands of San 
Nicolas and Anacapa, lying respectively 
about eighty and eighteen miles from the 
mainland. These islands are resorts for 
seals, sea lions, otter, and aquatic birds. 
They are included in the total area of 1,296,- 
000 acres, divisible into arable land, pasture 
land and mountain land. There are about 
200,000 acres of very rich country, of which 
as yet little over 70,000 acres have been 
brought under cultivation. 

This county contains various fertile val- 
leys, the most important being the Santa 
Clara, Ojai. Si mi, Conejo, and Sespe, besides 
some small mesa and mountain valleys. The 
soil is mainly a rich, dark brown, sandy loam, 
10 to 150 feet deep. The surface is nearly 
level, or but enough diversified to add to the 
beauty of the situation. 

WATER SUPPLY. 

Ventura County perhaps is the best watered 
county in Southern California. The Santa 
Clara River, which rises in the Soledad 
Mountains near the Mojave Desert, enters 
the county at the southeast corner, traverses 
its entire length, furnishes an abundant sup- 
ply for a large portion of the Santa Clara 
Valley, and is a never failing stream. It 
flows in an easterly direction about sixty 
miles through the southeastern portion of 
the county, and empties into the ocean about 
six miles southeast of San Buenaventura. 

The Santa Clara River takes its rise sev- 
enty miles inland, in the rugged canons of 
the Soledad Pass Hence it flows west by 
south, swelled by several large tributaries, 
mostly coining from the northward. It 
passes through the Santa Barbara range at 
Santa Paula, some fifteen miles from the 



196 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



coast, and ends at the seaside in an estero or 
lagoon, which shows no communication with 
the sea, save when the winter floods tear 
away the intervening bar of sand. At Santa 
Paula this river receives the waters of the 
Santa Paula Creek, formerly called the Mupu; 
east of this, the Sespe empties, and near the 
boundary line, the Piru. 

Tributary to the Santa Clara are the Santa 
Paula, Piru, Big and Little Sespe, which are 
fine, clear, living streams, furnishing an un- 
failing supply of water for all that portion of 
the county comprised within the original 
grants of Sespe, Santa Paula, Saticoy, and 
San Francisco ranchos. The Lockwood, 
Alamo, Hot Springs, and Pine are feeders of 
the Piru and the Sespe. 

The Ventura River rises in the Santa Ynez 
Mountains, in the northern portion of the 
county, and flows in a southerly direction, 
and through the beautiful Ojai Valley to the 
sea at San Buenaventura, which city it sup- 
plies with pure water and excellent water- 
power. Its tributaries are the Arroyo San 
Antonio, Canada Leon, Santa Ana, Canada 
Larga, and Los Coyotes, which water large 
portions of the Ojai, Canada Larga, and 
Santa Ana ranchos. 

These rivers are fed by numerous springs 
and mountain streams which run into them 
from almost all the canons. The Ventura 
River alone furnishes water enough to irri- 
gate, were it necessary, every acre of land in 
the valley through which it flows. This 
river furnishes the water-power to run the 
large flouring-mill at Ventura, which at need 
could be kept running day and night through- 
out the year. 

In that section of country lying southeast of 
the Santa Clara River in the neighborhood of 
Hueneme, artesian water is obtained at from 
50 to 100 feet, which is a constant flow of 
good, pure water. Besides these there are a 



great many small mountain streams in various 
portions of the county that never go dry. It 
is estimated that the water supply is suffi- 
cient to bring it on every part of farm land 
if it were necessary to do so, but from a 
comparison of the per cent, of farmers, whose 
experience is given elsewhere in this paper, 
it will be seen that irrigation is not necessary 
except in case of a dry season, and excepting 
also for citrus fruits, which some think ouo-ht 
to be irrigated. 

It is a peculiarity of this section that no 
irrigation is needed to raise the most abun- 
dant crops, of whatever nature. This may 
be due to the humidity derived from the sea. 
At all events, the fact accounts for the rarity 
of attempts to divert the abundant water 
into ditches, as is done in most other parts 
of Southern California. 



THE TIMBER SUPPLY. 

Ventura County is well supplied with 
forest timber of live-oak, Cottonwood and 
other deciduous and evergreen trees, much of 
it being easily accessible to the various rail- 
way stations in the county. But the greatest 
and most valuable timber consists of the 
great pineries in the remote and almost un- 
known mountain regions in the northern 
part of the county. These extensive pine 
forests contain an immense quantity of val- 
uable timber which some day will be reached 
by roadways and brought to market. When 
that day comes, as it surely will, a rich har- 
vest awaits the lumberman's ax. It is now 
a wild and inaccessible forest, inhabited only 
by the mountain goat and the fleet-footed deer, 
with a smart sprinkling of the more ferocious 
lion and grizzly bear. It is here that nature, 
in its wildest and most chaotic state, holds 
undisputed sway, but with an increased pop- 
ulation in this county will be made to yield 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



197 



to the demands of civilization — the demand 
for lumber and other building material. 

The following details are extracted from a 
paper by Dr. Stephen Bowers, in the State 
Mineralogieal .Report. 

"The county includes the islands of San 
Nicolas and Anacapa. The former is about 
eighty miles south of Ventura, and the latter 
eighteen miles. The area of the entire county 
is 1,869 square miles, or 1,196,000 acres. 

" The valley of the Santa Clara extends 
along the seashore from San Buenaventura to 
Point Magn, a distance of over twenty miles, 
and extends in an easterly direction across 
the county, narrowing to two or three miles 
on the eastern border. A chain of mountains 
extends from Newhall in Los Angeles County 
westwardly to within about ten miles of the 
ocean, separating the upper portion of the 
Santa Clara from the Simf and Las Posas 
valleys. The chain is narrow and comes to a 
sharp ridge or comb at the top, averaging 
about 2,000 feet in altitude. 

" Thirteen miles north of San Buenaven- 
tura is the Ojai Valley, about ten by five 
miles in extent. It is divided into two val- 
leys, upper and lower. The latter is 800 
feet above the sea level, and the former about 
1,700 feet. These valleys are surrounded by 
mountains, opening along the Ventura River 
to the south. On the eastern portion of the 
county is the Cornejo Plateau, which is several 
miles in extent and elevated 900 feet above 
the ocean. It is really a succession of hills 
and valleys. The rock exposures here are 
principally trappean and metamorphic. The 
remaining portions of the county are mainly 
mountainous, giving a diversity of soil and 
climate. 

" It is by far the best watered of all the 
southern counties. The Santa Clara River 
runs through the county in a westerly di- 
rection, reaching the ocean a few miles w r est 



of San Buenaventura. The Matilaja, San 
Antonio, and Coyote creeks unite and form 
he Ventura River, coming iu from the north, 
and supplying the town of San Buenaventura 
with an abundance of water. The Santa Paula, 
Sespe, and Piru flow into the Santa Clara 
from the north and west, the Sespe having 
its rise in Santa Barbara County. The Lock- 
wood flows into the Piru at the western base 
of the Almo mountain. The Cuyamo rises 
near Mount Almo, and runs westwardly to 
the county line, some fifteen miles distant. 
The Las Posas Creek waters the Las Posas 
and Simi valleys on the eastern side of the 
county. In addition to these rivers and 
streams, are numerous small creeks and 
springs scattered here and there throughout 
the county." 

SAN NICOLAS ISLAND. 
BY DR. BOWERS. 

"San Nicolas Island belongs to Ventura 
County. It is nearly eighty miles south of 
Ventura, the southesatern end being in lati- 
tude 33° 14' north, and longitude 119° 25' 
west from Greenwich. 

" The area is about nine miles long and four 
miles wide, containing 32.2 square miles, or 
20,608 acres. Its longer axis is northwest by 
west. What is known as Begg Rock is sit- 
uated on the prolongation of the longer axis 
of the island, bearing northwest, and is seven 
miles distant. Soundings show that there is 
a submarine rid^e connecting this rock with 
San Nicolas, and that it was probably once 
above the surface. Breakers extend for sev- 
eral miles to the westward, and also for nearly 
two miles on the eastern shore line of the 
island, indicating shallow water. Begg Rock 
is bold and precipitous, rising to the height 
of forty or more feet, and plainly visible 
from San Nicolas. 

"There is an abundance of water on the 



198 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



island, but it is slightly brackish; it is entire- 
ly destitute of timber, but evidently has not 
always been so. At the present time there 
is not even a bush growing on it except a 
stunted kind of thorn, scarcely two feet high, 
and a few species of the tree cactus. 

" The surface is comparatively level, suffi- 
ciently so to till with little trouble. The 
cultivable land embraces about two-thirds of 
the island's area, and much of it is apparently 
rich and fertile. * * * Coral Harbor, lo- 
cated about three miles from the extreme 
western point, is reached by an opening in 
the rocks, some twenty feet wide. The water 
in this opening is sufficiently deep to admit 
a schooner of twenty tons' burden. 

" The only animals found on San Nicolas 
are, a small fox, a kangaroo mouse, and a 
diminutive sand lizard. The fox is little 
more than half as large as the gray or silver 
fox of the mainland. As far as I have been 
able to learn, the species is confined to the 
Channel Islands. Several species of land 
birds are found. Amongst them may be 
mentioned the bald eagle, ground owl, raven, 
crow, and plover. Water fowl are abundant, 
and among them gulls, pelicans, cormorants, 
sea-pigeons, and others. Beetles, crickets, 
spiders, butterflies, house and other flies are 
met with, but no poisonous or noxious ani- 
mals or insects. * * * San Nicolas Island 
must have once supported a large population. 
In whatever direction one turns, he comes in 
contact with human skeletons, broken mortars, 
pestles, ollas, bone implements, etc., and shell 
heaps. * * * I judge that the natives of 
this island were physically and intellectually 
superior to those inhabiting the other islands 
and the mainland, where, in previous ex- 
plorations, 1 have exhumed several thousands 
of skeletons. Many of the skulls on San 
Nicolas closely resemble those of the Cauca- 
sian type." 



GEOLOGY. 

The following account of the geological 
formations of Ventura is by a writer whose 
name the present editor has been unable to 
learn : 

Ventura County exhibits many interesting 
geological features. On the eastern side is 
a volcanic uplift extending westwardly under 
the ocean forming the island of Anacapa, 
Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel. 
This uplift may be traced eastwardly through 
Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego 
counties, with an outcrop near Yuma, and 
probably extending far into Mexico. In Ven- 
tura County it is composed largely of rhyolite, 
trachyte and vesicular basalt. The moun- 
tains here have been lifted to a height of 
nearly or quite 4,000 feet, their serrated sum- 
mits presenting a rugged outline against 
the sky. 

Another trappean uplift occurs in the 
northwestern corner of the county running 
parallel with the first described, leaving a 
space of over fifty miles between them. It 
is most likely the two are synchronous. One 
of the characteristic rocks of the latter is 
amygdaloid filled with zeolites of quartz, 
chalcedony, agate, opal, calcite, natrolite, etc., 
and inspissated bitumen. 

The mountains on the northern portion of 
the county are composed principally of gran- 
ite rocks, while the characteristic rocks on 
the southern side, as we approach toward the 
ocean, are largely sandstone. 

There are no large areas of horizontal rock 
strata in the county. Formerly tilted, folded 
and plicated rocks of this section bear evi- 
dence of sudden upheaval. But it is evident 
that the lateral pressure that has raised the 
mountains of Ventura County from 2,000 to 
over 9,000 feet above the sea level has prob- 
ably done its work so gradually as not to 
"disturb the flight of an insect," apart from 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



199 



the volcanic disturbances above mentioned. 
The uplift is still going on, but so gradually 
and silently as to be imperceptible to the 
casual observer. Along the seashore, and 
indeed all over the county where the older 
rocks are exposed they are found tilted, 
shoved and heaved at every conceivable angle 
of inclination, with alternating anticlinal 
and synclinal folds. 

The Santa Clara River enters the county 
on the eastern side and traverses it in a west- 
erly direction to the sea. Three or four 
streams flow into it tram the north which 
will be described in due time. One of these, 
the Sespe, heads not far from the Santa Bar- 
bara line and runs in an eastwardly direction 
for some distance, gradually bending south- 
ward through the center of the county. This 
stream seems to mark the division between 
the Cretaceous and the Tertiary periods. At 
least some of the fossils which the writer 
found north of the stream he must refer to 
the Cretaceous, while all south of it belong 
to the Miocene and Pliocene epochs. It is 
probable that all the northern portion of the 
county was lifted from a Cretaceous sea, and 
what now forms the northern boundary of 
the Sespe was for ages the shore line against 
whose rocky ribs the waves of the Pacific 
Ocean expended their fury. The strata 
south of this are at an entirely different an- 
gle and to some extent different in composi- 
tion, and seem to have been raised independ- 
ently, leaving a fissure between the two 
formations aud along which the stream has 
cut its gorge. 

The Piru Creek, running in a parallel 
direction, but several miles north of the 
Sespe, has cut its waj through mountains of 
granite, slate and diorite. In some places 
the walls are nearly or quite a half mile 
high and perpendicular, the tortuous bed of 
the stream appearing as a ribbon far below. 



In the southern portion of the county are 
vast beds of Pliocene fossils. They are 
found in the foot-hills skirting the sea shore 
from the extreme southern corner of the 
county to the county-seat, and on the north 
side of the Santa Clara to the Sespe, on the 
south side of the Santa Paula mountains, in 
the Las Posas and Simi valleys, and else- 
where. Joining the town of Ventura the 
remains of the fossil elephant, llama and 
other animals are found. Near Santa Paula 
the remains of an extinct horse (JSquus 
occldentalis) have been found. 

Miocene fossils are found in the Ojai Val- 
ley, Conejo plateau, along the south side of 
the Sespe from its source to its month, in 
the mountains east of Santa Paula and other 
places. Among tnese may be mentioned the 
remains of whales, seals, sharks, etc. Indeed 
the entire county, apart from the volcanic 
uplifts referred to and the granitic forma- 
tions on the northern portion, abounds in 
most interesting remains, including hundreds 
of species of invertebrate and vertebrate an- 
imals, many of which are extinct, while 
others are still found in the ocean. This 
county is a paradise for the geologist and 
paleontologist, much of which has never 
been subjected to a thorough scientific inves- 
tigation . 

In this connection we may add that the 
botanist, zoologist, ichthyologist and entom- 
ologist will find an ample field for investiga- 
tion and study in their respective depart- 
ments in this county. 

CLIMATE. 

The climate of Ventura County is difficult 
to overestimate. Near the coast the mercury 
seldom falls below 43° or rises above 83°; 
but in some places back from the ocean, in 
the mountains and valleys, it is Bomewhat 
warmer in summer and cooler in winter. 



200 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



Taking it altogether, the evenness of the 
climate is unexcelled. Tbermometrical ob- 
servations, extending over a series of years, 
indicate an average temperature of about 
58°. By careful study of the various places 
in Southern California the reader will per- 
ceive that "Ventura County is not excelled in 
point of climate. Near the coast frost is 
seldom or never seen ; but several miles back 
from the ocean a little frost occurs in winter, 
yet not sufficiently severe to injure orange 
trees or the most tender vegetation, except 
in rare instances. Large banana trees may 
be seen growing a dozen or fifteen miles from 
the coast. The same kind of clothing is 
worn winter and summer. While nearly all 
kinds of northern and semi-tropical fruits 
flourish here, roses, fuchsias, geraniums and 
many other flowers bloom constantly, and 
strawberries may be procured nearly any day 
in the year. Tbe days are warm but not 
sultry; hence sunstroke is unknown in this 
county. The nights are cool and induce re- 
freshing sleep. For invalids, and especially 
for persons disposed to pulmonary troubles, 
this county offers superior inducements, ft 
is seldom that lightning is seen or thunder 
heard, and no tornadoes, cyclones or other 
disturbances of the forces of nature exist 
here. The islands south of Ventura County 
deflect the warm ocean currents from the 
equator, turning them to the very shore line 
and giving a higher temperature than is 
realized some hundreds of miles south, and 
thus securing good bathing .tbe entire year. 
For Santa Paula the average temperature 
for winter is about 45° and for summer is 
about 85°. The highest given is 100° and 
the lowest 80°. For Saticoy the average for 
winter 55° and for summer 85° ; the lowest 
given is 40° and tbe higbest 100°. The vari- 
ations at Camulos are from 25° to 100° and 
and at Nordhoff is 80° to 100°. Tbe average 



at Hueneme is, for winter, about 50° and for 
summer 75°; tbe highest given is 85° and tbe 
lowest 38° and for New Jerusalem it is 
about the same. 

THE TEMPERATURE. 



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The following is a table showing the aver- 
age rainfall at San Buenaventura, Cali- 
fornia, for the past eighteen years. And it 
should be remembered that what is called the 
"rainy season" generally includes the fol- 
lowing months: October, November, Decem- 
ber, January, February, March and April. 
During the remainder of the year there is 
usually no rain at all. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



201 



SEASON INCHES 

1870-1871 9 

1871-1872 5.12 

1872-1873 17.25 

1873-1874 15 

1874-18 5 15.25 

1875-18' 6 21 

1876-1877 4.62 

1877-1878 20.22 

1878-1879 11.79 



SBASON INCHES 

1879-188U 22.06 

1880-1881 13.81 

1881-1882 11.98 

1882-1883 11.68 

1883-1884 35.74 

1884-188) 9.46 

1885-1886 20.92 

1856-1887 12.95 

1837-18 58 20.24 



THE CHURCHES OF VENTURA. 

The county is well supplied with churches. 
The Catholics have, besides the old Mission 
at San Buenaventura, which was founded 
more than a century ago, a good church 
house at New Jerusalem. Each of these 
churches have regular pastors. 

The Baptists have organizations in Santa 
Paula, Hueneme and Springville. At the 
latter place there is a house of worship owned 
by an independent Baptist organization. 

The Methodists have houses of worship at 
San Buenaventura, Hueneme, Santa Paula, 
Sespe and Piru. They also have organiza- 
tions at Cienega, Saticoy, Springville, Conejo, 
Fillmore and other places. 

The Presbyterians have houses of worship 
at Ventura, Nordhoff, Saticoy, Santa Paula 
and Fillmore. 

The Universalists have a parish at Santa 
Paula and services at Ventura. 

The Congregationalists have a house of 
worship in San Buenaventura and Nordhoff' ; 
an academy at Santa Paula. 

The Episcopalians have a church organiza- 
tion and edifice at Ventura. 

The Swedenborgians have a church organ- 
ization and edifice at Bardsdale. 

In addition to the above there are two or 
three union or independent churches in the 
county. All of the churches named above 
are supplied with regular pastors. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The school system of Ventura County is 
much like that of other counties of the State, 

1 3 



but quite unlike that of most of the other 
and old States east of the Rocky Mountains. 

The public schools of Ventura County are 
of three kinds or grades: primary, grammar 
and high school; the first being found in 
the sparsely settled portions of the county; 
the second in the more thickly settled, and 
the third or high school only in San Buena- 
ventura. In the primary school instruction 
is given in reading, orthography, practical 
and mental arithmetic, geography, United 
States history, physiology, penmanship, ele- 
ments of book-keeping, industrial drawing, 
vocal music, practical entomology and the 
rudiments of technical English grammar. 
Grammar schools are established in those 
parts of the county, in the country towns, 
where there are a number of children who de- 
sire to pursue, in addition to the studies of 
the primary grade, such branches as alo-ebra, 
natural philosophy, natural history, and when 
owing to the increased number of children 
attending school, there are funds enough to 
admit of paying a higher salary to the teacher 
in return for a greater and more advanced 
work. It is proper to remark here, however, 
that in every one of the prjmary schools of 
the county the teacher is competent to teach 
algebra and such other grammar-grade stud- 
ies, so that no pupil is debarred from pursu- 
ing each study if desirable. 

The high school in California or the 
grammar school course — which is a course 
in advance of the grammar school as o-iven 
above — is intended to prepare the pupils who 
graduate from the public schools, having 
finished the work of the grammar o-rade for 
entrance into the State University. This adds 
to the grammar school such branches as rhet- 
oric, advanced English and American liter- 
ature, chemistry and mineralogy. But this 
course can be pursued only in such localities 
as have a representation of pupils sufficient to 



202 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



supply a number of teachers, since no one 
person could do the work required in a school 
with all grades from primary to and includ- 
ing the grammar school course; and in gen- 
eral the grade of a school depends upon the 
number of children in it. 

By a provision of the State law, all pupils 
who finish the course of study laid out for 
the grammar grade and pass a satisfactory 
examination therein upon questions prepared 
by the County Board of Education, are en- 
titled to a diploma of graduation from the 
grammar school. This admits them to the 
lowest class in the State Normal School, or 
to the high school or grammar course. 
Completion of the studies in the course, 
upon satisfactory examination, admits the 
graduate to the University of California at 
Berkeley. 

As another prominent feature of the schools 
it may be observed that each district in Ven- 
tura County draws from the public funds an- 
nually from $30 to $50, to be expended only 
for school apparatus or library books. 

Accordingly we have in this county schools 
which possess valuable libraries, having in 
the coarse of the past few years accumulated 
a set of cyclopaedia^, all requisite books of 
reference, besides complete sets of the poets 
and standard novelists, and comprising many 
works on history, biography and travel. 

As an index of the growth and develop- 
ment of the county, as represented by the 
growth of the 'schools, there follows a com- 
parative statement of the condition of the 
public schools in each alternative year since 
1884. 

In 1884 Ventura had twenty-four school 
districts, and school property worth $33,417, 
as follows: buildings, $30,113; libraries, 
$1,932; apparatus, $1,366. There were 
1,667 census children, of whom 1,270 were 
enrolled, with an average attendance of 743. 



The total receipts for school purposes were 
$34,429; total expenditures, $30,677. 

In 1886 there were in Ventura County 
1,889 census children; enrolled were 1,439; 
the average attendance was 911. The value 
of school buildings- was $50,800; of school 
libraries, $1,610; of apparatus, $1,500; total 
value of school property, $53,910. The total 
expenditures for schools were $23,399, and 
the total of revenue.-; for school purposes 
$28,328. 

In 1888 there were 2,284 census children 
in Ventura County, which had gained ten 
school districts in two years; 1,889 were en- 
rolled in the public schools, and the average 
daily attendance was 1,069. There were now 
school buildings to the value of $64,900; 
libraries, $1,825, and apparatus, $1,410; total, 
$69,035. 

There are now in Ventura County forty- 
three school districts, employing fifty-seven 
teachers. The number of census children is 
2,703; number enrolled. 2,244; the average 
attendance is 1,339. The amount received 
from county school tax for 1889 was $11,- 
366; from all sources for 1889-'90, $65,- 
791.42. The total expenditures were $51,- 
457.31. Of the teachers in the county, 
twenty are graduaies of the State Normal 
School, and three are from Eastern high 
schools. The average monthly salary of men 
teachers is $75; of women, $63. The total 
value of school buildings in the county is 
$102,050; of school libraries, $2,850; of 
apparatus, $2,955; total, $105,855. During 
the eight years that C. T. Meredith has been 
county superintendent of schools, there have 
been built new school-houses in thirty-two 
districts. San Buenaventura has school- 
houses worth perhaps $35,000; the Avenue 
building another worth $6,000; those at 
Santa Paula cost $10,000; at Hneneme, 
$9,000; the Montalvo building cost $5,000, to 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



203 



which must be added another $1,000 for 
grounds, improvements, etc., and the Saticoy 
school-house cost $1,500. 

It is rather a remarkable feature that there 
is a small attendance of the Spanish element 
in the schools of this county. 

THE EASTERN PORTION OF VEN- 
TURA. 

THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY. 

The lower Santa Clara Valley, bordering 
on the ocean, comprises the ranchos San 
Miguel, Santa Paula y Saticoy, Santa Clara 
del Norte, La Colonia, and part of Guada- 
lasca, besides Government lands. Through 
the hills skirting the eastern flank of the 
main expanse break two fine valleys, with 
wooded hills and cultivated dales. The more 
northerly of these contains the ranchos Las 
Posas and Simi; the southern, being El 
Conejo Valley, embraces the ranchos Calle- 
jos, El Conejo, and the upper end of the Gua- 
dalasca. Close down to the channel of the 
Santa Clara on the north come the Santa 
Barbara Mountains, jagged and distorted, 
while to the south, above Santa Paula, they 
are much lower and more rounded, although 
still mostly untillable. The northern slopes 
are set with groves of pine and live-oak; the 
southern are covered with grass, flowers and 
the honey-bearing sage. The principal trees 
along the water courses are sycamore, wal- 
nut, cottonwood, and some inferior varieties 
of pine. 

KANOHO LA COLONIA. 

The Rancho La Colonia, or Rio de Santa 
Clara, as finally confirmed, comprises a tract 
of about 48,883 acres, lying south of Rancho 
Santa Clara del Norte, and north and west of 
the Pacific Ocean, the Guadalasca Rancho, 
and a small piece of Government land. This 
tract was granted in 1837 to eight old 



soldiers, by Governor Alvarado, the record of 
possession bearing date September 28, 1840. 
The commissioners rejected this claim in 
1854, but the grant was declared valid, re- 
versing the former decision, in 1857, thus 
confirming the land to Valentine Cota, 
although it was also claimed by the widow of 
Joseph Chapman, of the Ortega Rancho 
affair. 

During the '60's many squatters settled 
iipon this tract, and its boundaries were 
modi Med by various surveys. It was first 
cultivated in 1867' when Christian Borchard 
and his son settled on the rancho, in an old 
adobe house formerly occupied by the Gon- 
zales family, of the original grantees, and 
planted crops of wheat and barley, the first 
grain sown in Ventura County, thirty acres 
of each being sown in the spring of 1868. 
The barley yielded eighteen centals to the 
acre; the wheat rusted and was left standing. 
This rancho was so thickly covered with wild 
mustard that two men, in two and one-half 
months, gathered with an old-fashioned 
header, twenty-five tons of mustard seed, 
which sold for 2 cents per pound. This sec- 
tion has been steadily settled, and that with 
an industrious and excellent class of citizens. 
"Tom" Scott, the railroad king, who pur- 
chased this rancho from the Spanish owners, 
in 1869 sold it for $150,000 to Thomas R. 
Bard, under whose auspices it has been im- 
proved greatly. The Colonia includes most 
of the Santa Clara Valley, ocean ward. 

IIUENEME. 

Hueneme is situated upon a projection of 
the Colonia Rancho, a point running into the 
sea, some twelve miles south of San Buena- 
ventura, and the same distance north of Point 
Magu. 

The town was started in June, 1870, by 
W. E. Barnard, G. S. Gilbert and II. P. 



204 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



Flint. It was declared that the town would 
be overflowed at high tide, and cut off from 
the surrounding country by the neighboring 
swamps and morasses. Moreover, the pro- 
prietors of the Colonia Rancho claimed the 
land, and tried to dispossess the founders of 
the new town. 

The Hneneme Lighter Company began to 
make shipments of lumber in June, 1870, in 
connection with the steamer Kaloratna, and, 
against all predictions to the contrary, 
this enterprise proved eminently successful. 
During the first year 60,000 sacks of grain 
were shipped by means of the lighters. Still 
there were some losses, notably that of some 
costly machinery destined for the oil works, 
and therefore, with a view to the possibilities 
of future traffic, T. R. Bard and R. O. Sur- 
dam obtained the right to construct a wharf 
at this point, and the work was begun and 
finished within the month, that of August, 
1871. The wharf was 900 feet long, reach- 
ino- to water eighteen feet deep. It was con- 
nected by tramway with the shore, where was 
built a warehouse, also corrals for stock. At 
once this wharf was made the medinm of a 
very heavy business. The board of super- 
visors fixed the maximum rates of wharfage, 
which was moderate. 

Already in July, 1871, much attention 
had been attracted to the artesian wells 
about Hueneme. One owned by T. R. Bard, 
although but 147 feet deep, threw up such 
an immense volume of water it flooded 
several acres, and flumes had to be con- 
structed to carry away the surplus water. 

The first two houses in this town were 
built in 1871, by Messrs. Thompson and 
Judson. The town was laid out by T. R. 
Bard. The Pioneer Hotel was built in 1871 
by D. D. McCoy, who then removed hither 
from San Buenaventura. 

Shortly after the settlement at Hueneme, 



T. R. Bard, who had purchased the Colonia 
Rancho in 1869, denied that the site of the 
town was public land, as claimed by its 
founders, and to enforce his claim he set a 
party to fence in the proposed wharf site. 
Enraged by this measure, the settlers assumed 
a threatening attitude with regard to the 
fence-builders, and it is probable that blood- 
shed was prevented only by the fact that 
Mr. Bard's party possessed lire arms, while 
the settlers were without them. They finally 
dispersed, and later both claimants gave 
bonds for a title to the land when the owner- 
ship should be established by issue of the 
case then pending before the United States 
authorities. 

After this difficulty was adjusted, the new 
town received numerous additions, and with- 
in a year after its founding it had seventeen 
families and forty-eight school census chil- 
dren. Several stores and a second hotel were 
opened this year. 

In September, 1872, Hueneme contained 
one grocery, one fruit and confectionery 
store, two of general merchandise, one res- 
taurant, two lumber yards, one livery stable, 
one carpenter shop, two blacksmith shops, 
two barber shops, one hotel, and one private 
school. Many vessels were loading or dis- 
charging at the wharf. There were shipped 
this year 86,900 centals of grain. 

On May 5, 1873, was established the 
Hueneme public school district; also road 
districts for the vicinity, and many artesian 
wells were sunk hereabouts during this sum- 
mer. During this year 145,000 centals of 
grain were shipped hence. 

In 1874 Hueneme had become a lively 
town, with several large stores, and most of 
the trades represented. 

The shipments of grain this year were 
198,500 centals. 

In 1877 was established a matanza, or 



VERTUBA COUNTY. 



205 



slaughter-yard, to kill and utilize cattle and 
sheep which otherwise would probably perish 
during the disastrous season already begun. 

In 1878 were received 264,336 sacks of 
grain, of which 140,217 sacks were shipped 
during the year. Other shipments were: 
4,070 hogs, 32 calves, 53 boxes eggs, 862 
barrels petroleum, 1,228 bales hay, 1,231 
bales wool, 37,735 pounds rock soap, 2,224 
sacks mustard, 1,002 sacks beans, 6,680 sacks 
corn, 50 sacks wheat, 3,893 sacks barley, 190 
tons miscellaneous freight. There were re- 
ceived about 1,000 tons of freight, besides 
800,000 feet of lumber. 

In April, 1879, was organized the Hueneme 
Lodge of Good Templars, No. 236. 

During the year ending March 31, 1880, 
there were shipped from Hueneme 16,888 
sacks of corn, 232,995 sacks barley, 2,012 
sacks flaxseed, 352 sacks rye, 21,479 sacks 
wheat, 3,156 sacks beans, 406 sacks mustard, 
140 sacks oats, 149 boxes eggs, 418 sheep, 
10,035 hogs, 64,000 pounds of wool. 

in view of the growing business, the wharf 
was tiow extended to a total length of about 
1,500 feet. 

The receipts of the business for that year 
$20,100.92; expenditures, $10,461.96; earn- 
ings, $9,638.96, or about 1 1-6 per month on 
the cost. 

In 1883 Hueneme contained a hotel, 
several business houses, a telegraph office, 
postoffice, wharf and steamship offices, good 
school-house and some twenty-five dwellings. 
There were four large warehouses, with an 
aggregate capacity of about 300,000 sacks, or 
684,120 cubic feet. 

In the earlier months of 1884, a water- 
spout appeared on the ocean before Hueneme, 
whence it passed to the land, tearing up 
trees, and wrecking to total deinolishment 
the house of II. F. Coffman, the occupants 
escaping injury as by a miracle. 



For the year ending March, 1886, the ship- 
ments over the Hueneme wharf were as fol- 
lows : Sacks barley, 121,336 ; wheat, 53,628 ; 
corn, 8,291; beans, 2,035; walnuts, 111; 
mustard seed 153; cases honey, 481; bales 
wool, 722&; bales hay, 172; hogs, 5,300; 
sheep, 3,147; lambs, 599; boxes butter, 50; cas- 
es eggs, 479; coops live fowls, 72; hides, 213; 
bundles pelts, 70; barrels tallow, 23; sacks 
castor beans, 13; miscellaneous packages, 641. 

Over the Hueneme wharf were exported 
during the year ending March, 1887, prod- 
ucts as follows: Sacks barley, 394,024; sacks 
wheat, 80,174; sacks corn, 23,426; sacks oats, 
12; sacks beans, 1,286; sacks walnuts, 81; 
sacks mustard seed, 1,004; clover seed, 201; 
potatoes, 2,880; onions, 167; bales wool, 
1,352; bales hay, 139; cases honey, 2,803; 
cases eggs, 427; head hogs, 7,005; head 
sheep, 7,443; lambs, 207; boxes butter, 40; 
coops live fowls, 49: hides, 216: bundles 
pelts, 60; barrels tallow, 44; miscellaneous 
packages, 105. 

During the year ending March 31, 1888, 
there was shipped from the port of Hueneme, 
of corn, 12,534 sacks; wheat, 16,073 sacks; 
barley 508,118 sacks; mustard seed, 3,934 
sacks; beans, 1,556 sacks; eggs, 387 cases; 
pelts, 304 bundles; hides, 116 bundles; wool, 
1,023 bales; hogs, 2,249 head; honey, 2,803 
cases ; potatoes, 2,597 sacks; sheep and lambs, 
8,339 head; butter, 146 cases; tallow, 26 
barrels; hay, 102 bales; fowls, 158 coops; 
castor beans, 12 sacks: onions, 167 sacks; pe- 
troleum, 1,785 barrels. During this year, 
169 steamers, 23 schooners and 44 steam 
schooners, making a total of 236 vessels, 
touched at this port. 

The town site is almost level, with only a 
sandy beach between it and the sea. The 
climate is mild and the air very pure and free 
from malaria. This is the " embarcadero" or 
sea shipping point for a large back country. 



206 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



The rich agricultural and grazing lands of the 
Simi, Conejoand Santa Clara ran chos, the Colo- 
nia Rancho, and Pleasant Valley, lie behind it. 

The Hneneme light-house is situated one 
mile west of the wharf. It is a two-story 
brick structure, combining the Swiss with the 
Elizabethan style. It contains ten large 
rooms, with closets, offices, etc., being de- 
signed to accommodate two families. The re- 
volving light is of the fourth order, red flash, 
with tine French prisms and concentrator?. 
It is fifty feet above the sea level and is per- 
ceptible from forty miles away. It consumes 
about three gallons of oil per week. A record 
is kept of all details, time of lighting and of 
extinguishing the lamp, etc. The light was 
first shown December 15, 1874. The suc- 
cessive keepers have been: Samuel Ensign, 
J. A. McFarland and E. II. Pinney. 

Hueneme has post, express and telegraph 
offices and daily mail by stage from Ventura. 
There are two hotels, one school — a $9,000 
building — one church, one weekly newspaper, 
the Herald, three stores of general merchan- 
dise, one for furniture, one drug store, one 
tobacconist, one blacksmith, one carpenter- 
shop, one barber, one bakery, one agricultural 
implement depot, one saddlery and harness- 
shop, one grain, wool, and produce depot, 
one insurance agent, one livery stable, one 
lumber yard, one meat market, one painter, 
one plumber, one stove and tinware house, 
two notaries public, two attorneys at law, one 
physician and one dentist. Here is situated 
the mammoth tank, of 36,000 barrels capacity, 
into which a line of four-inch pipes conveys 
the oil from the wells in the mountains, and 
whence it is piped into vessels built expressly 
for transporting it to San Francisco, San Pe- 
dro, etc. 

THE GUADALASCA RANCHO. 

This rancho lies in the extreme southern 
part of Ventura, southeast of the Colonia. 



It borders on Los Angeles County about two 
miles, on the coast about eight miles, and 
extends about ten miles into the interior. 
The place is historical, being the site of Xucu 
or " The Town of the Canoes," described in 
the voyage of Cabrillo, 300 years since, this 
having been the most densely-populated por- 
tion of the coast. In one of the valleys, La 
Jolla, seems to have been a favorite ground 
of the Indians, it being rich in kitchen- 
middens, bones, etc., and having a trail, worn 
deep, from the landing over the hill. The 
Gnadalasca was a grant of 30,593.85 acres, 
made May 6, 1846, to Ysabel Yorba, whose 
title was confirmed by the United States Land 
Commissioners. Of this estate, 23,000 acres 
were purchased some years since by William 
Richard Broome, an English gentleman of 
leisure, living in Santa Barbara. Several 
thousands of these acres are on the fertile 
Colonia plain, where flowing wells of artesian 
water can be had at 100 to 150 feet deep. 
" The Estero " is the termination of the 
Guadalasca Creek, being a basin some four 
miles long, in some parts 1,000 feet wide, 
and deep enough to float large vessels. Near 
Point Magu is a landing for vessels, safe in 
any weather, and considered one of the best 
harbors on the coast. The mountains here 
abound in game, such as bear, deer, Califor- 
nia lions, wild cats, coyotes, rabbits, hare, and 
quail, while the sea is here swarming with 
fine fish and shell- fish, as in the days when 
sea products here supported the dense abo- 
riginal population. 

THE LAS POSAS RANCHO. 

This rancho occupies the lower end of the 
Las Posas and Simi Valley, debouching upon 
the great Santa Clara plain. Las Posas, 
embracing 26,623 acres of land, was granted 
to Jose Carrillo May 15, 1824, and confirmed 
to Jose de la Guerra y Noriega, being held 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



207 



by him and his heirs until 1876, when it was 
sold to a company, who have kept it undivided 
until the present day, raising wheat, barley, 
corn and stock. 

At the date of sale, the Las Posas and the 
Simi, containing an aggregate of about 125,- 
000 acres, were sold for $550,000, being 
assessed at the same time at but $172,000. 

The rancho is located about twelve miles 
east of Hueneme, within sight of the ocean, 
in the southern part of Ventura County. 
The property is crossed by the proposed Los 
Angeles and Hueneme Railroad, and will be, 
when that road is completed, about fifty miles 
by rail from the metropolis of Southern 
California. The great Simi ranch borders it 
on the east, the Calleguas on the south, the 
Santa Clara del Norte on the west, and a range 
of mountains on the north. 

Las Posas could take in every resident of 
Ventura County, give each voter of the county 
ten acres of land, and leave nearly 1,000 acres 
on which to build the towns. Considering 
the fact that this county is as thickly popu- 
lated outside the villages as perhaps any in 
the State, the foregoing statement gives the 
reader some idea of the extent of this great 
ranch. 

Probably 12,000 acres of the Las Posas are 
arable, 13,000 suitable for grazing, and the 
mountain land availing only for bee-keeping. 
It has no timber. The wide fields are mostly 
unfenced. Most of the farming is carried on 
by renters, who raise wheat, barley, corn, and 
beans, grown without irrigation. All the 
grains and semi-tropical fruits succeed here, 
and there are several thousand acres per- 
fectly adapted to the growth of the orange, 
lemon, fig, almond, and apricot. Artesian 
water is easily obtainable. 

On a part of this Rancho, Peter Rice, the 
owner of a farm of 280 acres, has an orchard, 
bearing all kinds of fruit, including oranges 



and lemons, walnuts, figs, grapes, apricots, 
prunes and peaches. 

The sale of the Scott estate lands on the 
adjoining rancho, La Colonia, in July and 
August, 1888, aggregated over $525,000, in 
five days. 

THE SIMI RANCHO. 

The Simi Rancho is a vast tract of 96,000 
acres, completely walled in by continuous 
ranges of hills and mountains, on all sides 
save the west, where lies the narrow valley of 
the Las Posas Rancho. To the north lies the 
upper Santa Clara Valley, and to the south 
the Couejo Valley, on the south and east be- 
ing also the Santa Susana range, separating 
the Simi from Los Angeles County. The 
Simi was formerly called San Jose de Gracia. 
It was granted to Patricio Javier and Miguel 
Pico, in 1795, by Governor Borica. In 
April, 1842, when Alvarado revived, or 
renewed, the claim to Norieo-a, it contained 
92,341.35 acres. It contained 114,000 acres 
between sixty and seventy years since. Since 
that time, to settle a dispute as to title -jl^ of. 
the whole, comprising about 14,000 acres, 
were conveyed to Eugene Sullivan. This 
portion, comprehending the homestead of the 
de la Guerra family, now known as the Tapo 
Rancho, lies in the northeast corner of the 
Simi Valley. To Mr. Chaffee were sold 
other 2,000 acres of the Simi, leaving the rest 
in the ownership of Andrew Gray. Of this 
tract, only about 11,000 acres are suitable for 
farming; 67,000 acres are grazing land; and 
20,000 acres are available for bee-raisiny 
only. The altitude of the valley is about 700 
feet above sea-level. 

Having passed into the hands of " Tom " 
Scott, this rancho, on his death, remained in 
use only for grain farming and sheep and 
cattle raising, as the executors of the estate 
could not dispose of it in small parcels, anil 
the heirs seemed not inclined to put it on 



208 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



the market. Of late it lias passed into the 
hands of the Simi Land and Water Company, 
of Los Angeles, who have divided it into 
stock ranges, containing from 1,000 to 10,000 
acres each, at from $5 to $15 per acre, each 
division being snpplied with abundant water 
from the living springs which are found in 
almost every part of the Simi. 

It is understood that there is abundant 
water on Simi for the irrigation of all fruit 
land which will need irrigation. No crop 
ever raised there has ever been irrigated. 
Some of the best fruit land on the rancho 
has flowing water tributary to it which can 
be piped at small expense. This water will 
be supplied as the needs of settlers may 
require. On the ordinary farming lands in 
the valleys water is easily reached by boring 
a short distance, and in many places artesian 
wells can be found. 

The climate of Simi is most desirable, and 
it is destined to become an important health 
resort for persons afflicted with weak lungs 
or throat trouble. The elevation of the val- 
leys average over 1,000 feet above the sea 
level, and the air is pure and dry, at the same 
time the temperature is even and pleasant. 
The ocean breeze begins to blow gently in 
the morning and continues through the day, 
making their air pleasant in the warmest days 
of summer. At the eastern end of the 
rancho is a beautiful oak grove of about 2,000 
acres, which affords a charming place for 
camping and picnic parties, an attraction not 
often found in this part of the State. 

Land on the Simi can now be bought in 
tracts to suit at $5 to $15 for stock ranges, 
and from $20 to $75 for farms and colony 
tracts. At present the nearest railroad point 
is San Fernando, a station on the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, twenty miles north of Los 
Angeles. 

The Simi Hotel is twelve miles west of this 



point. Visitors can go to San Fernando by 
rail from Ventura or Los Angeles, and thence 
to Simi by four-horse stage. 



KANCHO TAPO. 



The Tapo Rancho, before mentioned as 
having been set off from the Simi, belongs to 
the estate of Francisco de la Guerra. It has 
been established for more than sixty years. 
Lying at the northeastern part of the Simi 
Rancho, only some 1,500 of its 14,000 acres 
are arable, the rest being grazing land. This 
rancho, being protected by a mountain wall, is 
peculiarly adapted tofruit-giowing. Superior 
wines and brandies have been made from a 
vineyard here, planted nearly fifty years ago. 

SPRINGVILLE. 

This is a little village located near where 
the ranchos Santa Clara del Norte, Las Posas 
and La Colon ia come together at the west 
end of what is known as Pleasant Valley. 
Past this hamlet goes a great deal of local 
travel. The village has a postoffice, one 
church, one store, one smithy, and a small 
number of dwellings. Adjoining Pleasant 
Valley is the magnificent Calleguas Rancho 
of 22,000 acres, and close to Springville is the 
large stock rancho of Gries & Bell. 

CALLEGUAS RANCHO. 

This lies over the hills, south of the Las 
Posas, and east of La Colonia (from which it 
is separated by Government lauds), north of 
the Guadalasca, and west of El Conejo. 
The extension of Pleasant Valley forms a 
portion of it. This was granted to Jose 
Pedro Ruiz in May, 1847, the area called for 
being 9,998.29 acres, of which about half is 
fit for stock-raising only. The rest is arable, 
producing excellent flax and cereals, corn 
being considered the best crop. Much of 
this rancho contains living springs, which 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



209 



appear in many places, but which have not 
been utilized, although irrigating a large sur- 
face, which they render peculiarly suitable to 
fruit-raising. A small vineyard here pro- 
duces wine of excellent quality. 

RANCHO EL CONEJO. 

The Conejo (Rabbit) Ranch o was granted 
by Governor Sola to Jose de la Guerra y 
Noriega, October 12, 1822. It contained 
48,674.56 acres. It lies east of the Calleguas 
and Guadalasca ranchos, and south of the 
Simi, which also borders it on the east. Los 
Angeles bounds it on the e; st and south. 

It is cradled between the Guadalasca or 
Conejo range south and westward, the Susan a 
hills extension on the north, and the Susana 
and Santa Monica mountains on the east. 
The altitude is about 700 feet. The soil is a 
deep and rich black loam. The grazing lands 
are unsurpassed, and the canons and moun- 
tains afford tine bee-pasturage. In 1872-'73 
H. W. Mills purchased one-half of the Conejo 
grant from the heirs of Captain Jose de la 
Guerra. In 1882 were sold at $5 per acre 
2,200 acres of the Newbury tract, and in the 
same year 6,000 acres above Newbury Park 
were sold to Russell Brothers for $15,000. Of 
this rancho 1,800 acres are fertile and even- 
surfaced. The water here is good. The dis- 
tance of this section from Hueneme is twenty- 
five miles. 

NEWBURY PARK. 

In the southern end of Ventura County, 
and in the lower part of the Conejo Rancho, is 
located the town of Newbury Park — or rather 
there is in this beautiful little valley a post- 
office known by that name, at which a score 
or more of prosperous families get their daily 
mail. The postoffice is located in an old 
building belonging to the Russell Brothers, 
on the old stage route from Los Angeles to 



Ventura, about fifty miles from the former and 
thirty from the latter. The inhabitants of 
this locality are farmers living for six or 
eight miles up and down the old stage road, 
and in the " Portrero," a narrow canon lead- 
ing out of the larger valley, hemmed in by 
rugged hills and covered by some of the finest 
forest trees to be found in Southern Cali- 
fornia. The territory covered by the ranches 
in this vicinity embraces about 30,000 acres, 
mostly devoted to stock-raising. The country 
is diversified, as is the greater part of Cali- 
fornia. Along the roads, which are extra 
good, are here and there pretty farm houses, 
and large barns filled to overflowing with 
farm products. On the hills are fat cattle 
and fine horses. Good fences, good roads 
and good buildings, all speak of thrift and 
industry. 

The valleys being well covered with large 
oak trees, the drive through them is delio-ht- 
fnl. Upon the rancho of A. D. and H. M. 
Russell, embracing 6,000 acres, are kept 500 
head of cattle, 100 horses and 500 hogs. 

W. H. Crolley has a rancho of 2,260 acres, 
which in two years, under his care, has been 
brought — from a property that did not make 
enough to pay taxes — into the most thrifty 
condition, showing what a little care and good 
judgment can do in a short time on Cali- 
fornia soil. He keeps about forty fine horses, 
200 Durham cattle and fifty hogs, besides a 
good quantity of poultry, all of which does 
very well. 

O. A. Wadleigh, from Canada, rents the 
Edwards rancho of 6,400 acres, and is carry- 
ing on the dairy business. He keeps 125 
cows, 150 hogs and a large lot of poultry. 

R. O. Hunt has a splendid little rancho of 
about 1,000 acres, on which he raises all kinds 
of crops and keeps all kinds of stock. lie 
raises a great deal of poultry — chickens, ducks 
and turkeys. He says he never saw a place 



210 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



where poultry did as well or could be raised 
as easily, or where it would pay as well. 

H. Hadsell, from Chicago, and his brother, 
N. D. Hadsell, from Ohio, have a nice little 
farm of 200 acres, on which they raise wheat 
and various other crops with success. They 
are planting fruit trees of all kinds, which 
are making most remarkable growth. 

H. T. Stebbins, from Ohio, who has lived 
on the Conejo for fourteen years, has a charm- 
ing little place of eighty acres, divided into 
tillage and pasture, where he keeps twenty 
horses, twenty -five cattle aud 120 hogs, 
besides a liberal supply of fine poultry. Mr. 
Stebbins says he has killed 350 deer on this 
ranch since he has lived here. From his 
porch he looks out upon the rugged moun- 
tains of the Coast flange; the " Triunfo," 
where it is said the Mexicans fought a suc- 
cessful battle with the Indians years ago, and 
up the lovely Potrero Yalley. 

Three miles further up is the 8,000-acre 
rancho of "the Banning boys," where 500 to 
1,000 cattle are kept and fattened for market. 

The only means of public transportation 
into this valley are the mail-carts. 

TIMBEEVILLE. 

This is the name of an old settlement on 
the Conejo Rancho, some eight or nine miles 
from Newbury Park. It is situated in a 
quiet valley of great fertility, abundantly 
w T atered, and surrounded by hills whose slope 
furnish fine grazing. There are here a post- 
office, hotel, store, blacksmith shop, tannery, 
Chinese laundry, a good school-house, aud 
one or two church organizations. Here lives 
Mr. Borchard, the pioneer grower of wheat 
in Ventura County. He now is engaged in 
general farming, and also makes butter by 
the ton. Game is very plentiful in this 
section. 



THE CENTRAL PORTION OF VEN- 
TURA. 

The Santa Clara Valley, above Santa Paula, 
is narrow and tortuous, with but a meao-er 
amount of arable land; below, it spreads out 
nearly level, in the approximate shape of an 
isosceles triangle, whose longest side extends 
from San Buenaventura to Point Mami, the 
southernmost point of the county, about 
twenty-four miles; the apex of this figure is 
Santa Paula, distant about thirteen miles in 
a direct line from each of the other points. 
The upper Santa Clara Valley contains the 
Rancho Sespe, occupying its lower and central 
portions, parts of the San Francisco and 
Camulos ranchos, next to the eastern county 
boundary line and Government lands. 

The soil south of the Santa Clara, and 
also the whole valley above Santa Paula, is a 
dark loam of the strongest kind, adapted to 
the cultivation of almost every vegetable, 
graiD, fruit and flower. Extending along 
the channel of the Santa Clara, above Santa 
Paula, is a tract of sand about one mile wide 
and twelve miles long. The soil of the lower 
main valley, south of the river, varies from 
sandy to adobe. Grain generally succeeds in 
this valley without irrigation; but the 
climatic conditions are such that the land, 
with proper irrigation, regularly produces 
two crops each year. 

Extensive asphaltum and sulphur deposits 
are found in this valley, and oil indications 
throughout it. In the upper part are numer- 
ous irrigating ditches, while there is in the 
Santa Clara River, four miles above Santa 
Paula, abundant water to irrigate all the 
land between the river and the ex- Mission 
hills, Santa Paula and the sea. In the south- 
western part artesian wells furnish an ample 
supply of water. Good water for drinking 
purposes is found only in favored localities, 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



211 



although it is affirmed that the best of water 
can be found in wells cf more than 100 fee 
deep. The Santa Clara River and its tribu- 
taries furnish abxindant first-class water- 
power. 

The range of temperature in the lower 
valley is small, reaching neither hot nor cold. 
In the upper valley the range is greater; at 
Santa Paula snow has been known to fall, 
and the thermometer has registered 108°, 
although such freaks are of great rarity. 
This part of the county has, perhaps, more 
than its share of windy days. Most of the 
towns of the county lie within this district; 
the county-seat is but two miles beyond its 
northwestern point; Santa Paula guards the 
entrance of the upper valley; Hueneme is 
the landing-place, and various other towns are 
found here. 

THE KANCHO SAN MIGUEL 

lies in the extreme western part of the Santa 
Clara Valley. It was a grant of 4,693.91 
acres, made to Raymundo Olivas, July 6, 
1841. Of this, 2,400 acres are now owned 
by Dixie W. Thompson, who has 1,700 acres 
under cultivation. The surface of the land, 
for the most part, has a gentle slope back 
from the sea, which it borders for about four 
miles. 

THE RANCHO SANTA PAULA Y SATICOY 

was originally granted to Manuel Jimeno, 
April 28, 1840, he taking possession that 
year. In 1847 Jimeno petitioned the alcalde, 
Pablo de la Guerra, for judicial possession, 
and the neighboring land-owners were sum- 
moned to witness his installation, and to at- 
test the boundaries, which originally were 
described as follows: — "From the Arroyo 
Mupu (now Santa Paula Creek) on the east, 
to the small mountain on the west, and from 
the small mountain (supposed to be Sul- 
phur Mountain) on the north to Las Positas 



on the south." Jimeno was given possession 
of about 30,000 acres. The name of the 
rancho is partly derived from the Saticoy 
tribe of Indians, who made their headquar- 
ters at the springs of that name. (Saticoy is 
said to be the Indian term for "Eureka!") 
The tract is about twelve miles long, extend- 
ing from the San Miguel Rancho to the 
Sespe Rancho, with an average width of two 
miles between the Santa Clara River on the 
southeast and the lofty ex-Mission hills on 
the northwest. Its upper portion overlaps 
the river channel, including a narrow strip 
of the southern slope. Being one of the 
choicest pieces of land in the county, it was 
one of the earliest settled ranchos, as it is 
now the most thickly populated sections of 
the county. 

One of the most important events in the 
history of this rancho was the enterprise of 
Mr. George G. Briggs, of Marysville, Yuba 
County, who conceived the idea that in the 
Santa Clara Valley existed such combinations 
of soil and climatic conditions as would con- 
stitute an ideal fruit-growing district, whence 
he could place his fruits on the San Fran- 
cisco market some weeks in advance of all 
competitors. To this end he purchased of 
the More Brothers four leagues of land for 
$40,000, and in March, 1862, he planted 100 
acres to fruit trees of various kinds to the 
number of several thousands, the site of this 
great orchard being two miles up the river 
from the Indian town of Saticoy. Carefully 
nurtured for five years, the orchard suc- 
ceeded in all other respects; but, failing to 
mature early, the project was abandoned. In 
1865 the grass was as high as a man's head, 
over the valley, and of 25,000 trees, but a 
few poor stragglers remained in a few years. 
In 1867 Mr. Briggs subdivided the rancho 
and sold it for small farms. In this year 
there were upon this rancho the following 



213 



VENTURA GOUNTT. 



settlers: — J. L. Crane, who had come to the 
site of Saticoy in 1861; Dr. Millbouse, in 
the Wheeler Canon ; Colonel Wade Hamp- 
ton, in the Canada Aliso; Messrs. Mont- 
gomery, Horatio Stone, Charles Millard, Ed- 
ward Wright, Wm. Garden, Andrew J. Nutt, 
A. Gray, E. S. Woolley, Wm. McCormick 
and George M. Richardson. 

During the winter of 1871-'72, which 
was a very severe one, much of the stock 
perished, and the prosperity of the settle- 
ment received a severe check. At this time 
the present site of 

SANTA PATJLA 

was a wilderness, the only signs of human 
habitation being one or two old adobe houses, 
an ancient barn, and the traces of an irrigat- 
ing ditch — relics of a mission once estab- 
lished there. In 1872 Messrs. Blanchard and 
Bradley laid out some town lots, and built a 
flouring-mill on the Santa Paula Creek, one- 
half mile above the town, whose site is on 
the creek, about one mile above the Santa 
Clara River, in the upper part of the 
rancho. Some half-dozen lots were sold, but 
ajsmall saloon was the only building erected 
up to the summer of 1875. In June, of that 
year, the valley was more extensively laid 
out. In December there was a snow-storm 
almost unprecedented in that section. 

The drouth of 1877-'78 gave a severe 
check to the growth of this place. In the 
fall of 1878 there was sufficient prosperity 
to support a Baptist Church, having a church 
building and a membership of thirteen, 
October of that year witnessing the second 
anniversary of the congregation's existence. 
By 1879 there was a membership of 250. 

In 1880-'81 many of the farmers turned 
their attention to the raising of pork, which 
staple was then dear, while the wheat and 
barley crops brought very low rates. In 



1880 no less than $40,000 were realized from 
the sale of hogs raised in the vicinity of 
Santa Paula, and twice that sum in 1881. 
The hottest weather ever felt in the town 
was during September of that year, when 
the mercury rose to 100° in the shade for 
several days in succession, once rising 
to 108°. 

Naturally the growth of Santa Paula was 
slow, as long as the only means of travel was 
by staging. But since the extension of the 
line of the Southern Pacific to Santa Bar- 
bara, the increase has been steady. 

The following account of Santa Paula, her 
resources and surroundings, was written by 
Mr. C. J. McDivitt, editor of the Santa 
Paula Chronicle: 

Santa Paula is situated on the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, between Santa Barbara on 
the west and Los Angeles on the east, and 
on what will be the main through line of 
that road up the coast from Los Angeles, and 
the east from San Francisco. It is in the 
Santa Clara Valley, sixteen miles east from 
Ventura and the ocean, and nineteen miles 
from Camilos, the last station eastward in 
Ventura County, on the road to Los Angeles, 
and distant from that city sixty-five miles. 
It is located at the mouth of the Santa Paula 
Canon, near where Santa Paula Creek forms 
a junction with the Santa Clara River, and 
near the center of the county. 

There are four passenger trains daily, two 
each way, giving the people of the valley 
four daily mails and easy communication 
either north or south. The town is located 
in the midst of a fine agricultural region. 
The land on every side is capable of the 
highest production of all the cereals and al- 
most all the fruits and nuts peculiar to this 
coast; and all this, with the single exception 
of oranges and lemons, without irrigation. 
The town contains more than 1,000 inhabi- 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



213 



tants, with a voting population of 400. (The 
last census showed 1,200.) 

Santa Paula is not incorporated, but her 
public-spirited citizens have secured many 
advantages to be imitated profitably by towns 
which boast of incorporation. Private enter- 
prise has placed on a large portion of the 
main street cement sidewalks twelve feet 
wide, and on many of the other streets good 
walks, now of asphaltnm and now of board- 
ing. " The Avenue " is a drive of at least a 
mile long, smooth and well-kept, with its 
trees on either side all its length forming an 
arch-like perspective, and this is kept 
sprinkled through its full length. The other 
streets of the town also are well sprinkled. 

Santa Paula is the headquarters of the 
petroleum oil industry of Southern Califor- 
nia. Here are located the Hardison & Stew- 
art Oil Company, the Mission Transfer Com- 
pany, the Sespe Oil Company, the Torrey 
Canon Oil Company and several parties who 
are operating in a private way and disposing 
of their product to these companies. Here 
the Mission Transfer Company has erected a 
refinery with a capacity of 10,000 barrels of 
crude oil per month, which they manufacture 
into lubricating oils of fine quality for use 
on all sorts of machinery, from the locomo- 
tive to the spindle. The different brands 
are known to the trade under the names 
of engine oil, extra engine oil, car-box 
oil, journal and gear oil, heavy machine 
oil, light machine oil, valve oil, wool 
oil, and black lubricating oil. They also 
manufacture several grades of naphtha; sev- 
eral grades of asphaltum; distillates for 
enriching illuminating gas, and several other 
products. The refinery works cover about 
four acres of ground, and give employment 
to a number of skilled workmen. Inside the 
enclosure there is a tankage capacity of 40, 
000 barrels, and a perfect network of pipes 



direction connecting the 
tanks and works. The erection of the 
refinery was begun in the fall of 1887, and 
the first manufactured product was turned 
out in March, 1888. 

The Mission Transfer Company handles 
the entire product of oil from all the com- 
panies, and owns and uses more than 100 
miles of pipe line in Ventura County, having 
a pipe line connecting every well with the 
storage tanks at Santa Paula. This company 
also has a pipe line from Santa Paula to 
Hueneme, and another to Ventura, on the 
ocean, and so loads vessels at either port 
direct from their own tanks. There is tank- 
age capacity of 100,000 barrels, of forty-two 
gallons each, all in this countj, except one 
large tank at San Francisco. In addition, 
this company owns fifty four tank cars with 
a capacity of 5,500 gallons each. 

The companies are now (September, 1889) 
pumping about fifty wells. The daily product 
is near 700 barrels, with a gradual increase, 
and excellent prospects for the future, as they 
are all the time developing new territory, 
have recently struck some good wells, and are 
now at work on several that give promise of 
being good ones. The oil interests give em- 
ployment to 125 men, and pay out in wages 
not far from $10,000 monthly. 

The Mission Transfer Company owned the 
steamer W. L. Hardison, built by them- 
selves expressly to carry the product of the 
wells up and down the coast to a market, but 
it was recently burned at the wharf while 
loading at Ventura. The company is now 
considering plans to replace it with a vessel 
of steel. 

The Hardison & Stewart Oil Company has 
also erected at Santa Paula large boiler works 
and machine shops where all work connected 
with the oil business is done. New boilers are 
built and repairs made to engines, boilers and 



214 



VENTURA COUNTY 



all kinds of machinery used in this or neigh- 
boring counties. The plant is a valuable one, 
the company having recently put in a new 
ten-horse-power Charter gas-engine, which 
uses no boiler, makes the gas to feed it while 
running, and requires little or no attention. 
Work is turned out here which is not obtain- 
able elsewhere in Southern California. 

One of the largest fruit-driers in the State 
is located here. This was built in 1888 by 
an organized company, composed of farmers 
and fruit-growers, at a cost of $14,000. The 
same year the company handled more than 
500 tons of apricots. When running at its 
full capacity of twenty-five tons per day, the 
drier requires 150 hands to operate it. Both 
hot air and steam are used for drying. In 
1889 over ninety per cent, of the fruit dried 
was of the first quality, bringing the highest 
price in the market. 

The "Santa Paula Water Works" supplies 
the town with good, pure mountain water, 
taken from the Santa Paula Creek several 
miles up the canon. The reservoir, with a 
capacity of about 5,000,000,000 gallons, is 
located 200 feet above Main street, giving a 
pressure of ninety-live pounds to the square 
inch. There is a magnificent system of mains 
and pipes running all over the town, and a 
water supply fully adequate to the needs of a 
city of 50,000 inhabitants. This system is 
owned by W. H. Bradley. 

In the Sespe Canon, a few miles east of 
Santa Paula, are the quarries of the Sespe 
Brown Stone Company. This stone is used 
in some of the finest buildings in the State, 
among others the elegant new building of 
the San Francisco f!hrnnirtl.p,. The quarries 
are extensive, there being practically no limit 
to the supply. It is of a rich brown color, 
and in color and texture closely resembles 
the noted brown stone of Nova Scotia. It 
has been tried by all tests known to science, 



and is pronounced the finest quality found. 
When subjected to a white heat and dropped 
into water, it turns to granite instead of 
crumbling as other stones have done in large 
fires. 

While the material interests of the town 
are being developed and business projects 
rapidly pushed forward, the intellectual, 
moral and religious advantages have not been 
neglected. There are four church organiza- 
tions and two buildings, Presbyterian and 
and Methodist. The Presbyterian is the 
finest in the county, having been erected in 
1888 at a cost of $14,000. The pastor is 
Mr. Logan. The Methodist Church, dating 
from 1882, is worth some $5,000. Its pastor 
is Mr. Ashley. The Baptist Congregation 
worships in the Methodist Church and the 
Universalists in Cleveland hall. Mr. Andrews 
ministers to the Universalists. There is no 
Baptist pastor at present. The Roman Cath- 
olics are about to build a church; the offici- 
ating priest lives at New Jerusalem. There 
are four well attended Sunday-schools at Santa 
Paula. 

The town has a graded school of four depart- 
ments, each witli a large attendance — about 
200. The public school building is a fine 
structure standing in the center of a large 
enclosed square of ground. This school con- 
tains a well- selected library. Here also is 
located Santa Paula Academy, opened Sep- 
tember 16, 1889, for the second term of 
school. This is an elegant and commodious 
building, costing, with the five acres of 
ground upon which it stands, $17,000, all of 
which was contributed by the people in and 
around Santa Paula. While its articles of 
incorporation provide that a majority of its 
directors shall be of the Congregationalist 
persuasion, this school is non-sectarian in 
character. 

The land around Santa Paula is well adapt- 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



215 



ed to the growth of all kinds of deciduous 
fruits, there being no less than 800 acres of 
bearing walnuts, almonds, pears, peaches, 
prunes, figs, grapes and many varieties of 
other fruits, together with all the small fruits 
in abundance. These trees make wonderful 
growth in the rich soil and warm temperature 
of this valley. There are in the grounds of 
W. L. Hardison mulberry trees of five years' 
growth, which measure thirty-two inches in 
circumference, and thirty feet in height, with 
a twenty-five-foot spread to the limbs, and 
from which 300 pounds of choice fruit were 
gathered in one year. Apricot trees on the 
same place, of the same age, are twenty-nine 
inches in circumference, twenty-five feet high, 
and with a twenty-foot spread of limbs. The 
apricots have been cut back each year, the 
mulberries but once, and neither have had 
any irrigation. Both varieties have been 
bearing fruit for three years. These are by 
no means exceptional cases. The orchard of 
Mr. Nathan W. Blanchard, one of the best 
and most profitable in the State, is located 
here. In 1889 he sold over $15,000 worth 
of fruits. He has 100 acres of seedling 
orano-es and Lisbon and Eureka lemons, which 
always yield the highest market prices. The 
lemons are picked during every month of the 
year. Mr. Blanchard has planted many more 
oranges lately. This is one of the largest 
orchards in the State, though it is not yet all 
in bearing. 

On Mr. F. J. Beckwith's place, he has 100 
acres sown to Lima beans, which last season 
yielded 2,275 pounds to the acre. Another 
100 acre^, planted to corn, yielded ninety 
bushels to the acre. These staples are not 
the exclusive products; all these farms have 
a comprehensive variety of growth, including 
hay, grain, fruits and walnuts. Almost 
within the city limits, Mr. Warhan Easley 
has a tract of forty acres, from which, last 



season, he realized a net income of $3,000, 
as follows: — 1,200 boxes pears, at fifty cents 
per box, $600; twenty-five tons apricots, at 
$20 per ton, $500; oranges, $100; walnuts, 
$200; peaches, $100; prunes, $100; apples, 
$200; pumpkins, $100; hay, thirty tons, at 
$10 per ton, $300; potatoes, 500 sacks, at 
$1.50 per sack, $750; garden truck, $150; 
total, $3,100. From this was paid $100 for 
harvesting, all the rest of the work being 
done by the owner. Besides all this, there 
were raised several tons of grapss, which were 
made into wine. 

From the famous orange grove of N. W. 
Blanchard, which began to pay running ex- 
penses only three years since, the shipments 
from the 100 acres last season amounted to 
twenty-eight car-loads, the sales footing up to 
nearly $15,000. More profitable than his 
oranges is Mr. Blanchard's fifteen-acre tract 
set to lemons, from which he harvested last 
season about 3,000 boxes, at an average price 
of $4 per box. 

Mr. G. G. Sewell, Mr. C. H. McKevett, 
Mr. H. Crnmrine, and Mr. J. R. D. Say are 
all equally successful growers of oranges, 
although not so extensively. This whole 
section is, thus far, entirely free from scale, 
or other insect pests. In the grounds of Mr. 
Hardison are to be found Washington Navel 
orange trees which have yielded two boxes of 
fruit to the tree five years from planting, and 
in the grounds of Mr. McKevett and Mr. G. 
G. Sewell are trees which bore some fruit the 
second year from planting. 

Mr. Crnmrine has six acres of seedling 
oranges from which he received $2,600 last 
season. This, it shoxild be remembered, on 
ground that was, as late as 1886, considered 
poor for citrus fruits. 

Prunes are becoming an important feature 
of orchards here, and walnuts also- are quite 
extensively planted. There are two nurser- 



21<5 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



ies in Santa Paula, one of which has a large 
general stock. 

In the growth, breeding, and improve- 
ment of horses and the raising of tine cattle, 
this neighborhood shows commendable en- 
terprise. There are a number of tine herds 
of cattle and some choice short-horns iu this 
vicinity, the foot-hills being particularly 
adapted for pasture lands. There is one 
choice herd of Holstein cattle here hard to beat 
anywhere. The gentleman imported twenty- 
one head of cows four years ago, and has 
sold $11,000 worth from their increase, be- 
sides keeping good the original number. 

The owners and breeders of fine stock in 
and around Santa Paula have the laudable 
ambition to make Ventura County and the 
Santa Clara Valley still more famous for 
good horses; and to this end Messrs. F. E. 
Davis, J. K. Cries, W. L. Hardison, and C. 
H. McKevett have organized into an associa- 
tion; procured a track — the Santa Paula 
Driving Park — and put up training stables, 
at their own expense, with no other object in 
view than the improvement of the horses of 
the county. They own and keep at the track 
some very fine stallions, among them Black 
Pilot, half-brother of Stamboul, Richwood, a 
Richmond stallion, Eli, and others. 

In the way of business enterprises Santa 
Paula has: — the First National Bank (suc- 
cessor to the Bank of Santa Paula), with a 
capital stock of $75,000. 

The president is C. H. McKevett; vice- 
president, G. H. Bonebrake; cashier, J. Li. 
Haugh; the Petrolia Hotel, which cost $15,- 
000, opened about January 1, 1889; six gen- 
eral merchandise stores; one grocery; two 
cigar and news-stands; two hardware stores, 
of which one has a full line of oil supplies 
not to be found elsewhere in the State; the 
Ventura Lumber Company, which has seven 
yards in the county, unloading at Ventura 



the lumber received from the north, and car- 
rying on a very heavy business; one planing- 
mill, conducted by the same company; one 
fruit-drier of twenty tons' daily capacity; two 
drug stores; one weeklv newspaper, the 
Chronicle; two hotels; three restaurants; one 
shoe store and one cobbler shop; one men's 
furnishing shop; two milliners; two real 
estate offices; two practicing physicians; one 
dentist; one furniture store; two livery 
stables; one bakery; two butcher shops; 
three barters; one harness shop, and two 
blacksmiths. 

In common with other portions of Ventura 
County, Santa Paula enjoys a very even tem- 
perature from one season to another, with 
more, bright, clear, sunshiny days than is 
usual so near the coast. For the greater part 
of the year the breeze is landward, coming 
up the valley without interruption, cooling 
the air in summer and warming it in winter; 
and with no extremes of heat or cold, the 
town is a delightful place of residence, both 
for the health-seeker and the man of business. 

SATICOY. 

Saticoy is situated at the lower end of the 
old Santa Paula y Saticoy Rancho, on the 
Santa Clara River, about eight miles east of 
San Buenaventura, nine miles north of Hue- 
neme Wharf, and eight miles southwest of 
Santa Paula. Here are the famous Saticoy 
Springs, with their many bloody traditions 
of the Indian tribes, by whom the springs 
were discovered; the word Saticoy is said to 
mean in the dialect of the Indians who set- 
tled here the same as the word " Eureka." 
Until the last twenty years, the chief tainess 
Pomposa, and a number of the tribe, were 
still living at these springs, and the early 
settlers tell how, even after their advent, here 
were wont to gather annually the remnants 
of the various tribes of Southern California. 



VENTURA COUNTY 



2H 



It is declared that at eacli of these Catherines 
a human sacrifice was made, one of those as- 
sembled being put to death by poisoning. 
To this effect, there were made as many cakes 
as there were guests at the feast, one of the 
cakes containing the fatal potion. None 
knew which cake held the poison, so that the 
sacrifice was entirely at hazard. 

In November, 1801, J. L. Crane settled 
upon the site of the village, and others came 
in at about the same time. These early set- 
tlers were men of sterling qualities, who 
made the most of their surroundings. A 
school was opened as early as 1868. In this 
year came hither Mr. W. de F. Richards, an- 
other of the pioneer settlers. 

While quite a thick settlement was in ex- 
istence, and a postoffice had been for some 
years established, the building up of the town 
proper dates mainly from the advent of the 
railway. The town with its adjacent farms 
covers about eight miles square of territory, 
within which extent are some of the most 
prolific farms and fruit orchards of Sonthern 
California. Being well watered, and having 
soil of exceptional strength and fertility, this 
famous valley produces crops of extreme rich- 
ness and value. Corn, beans, flax-seed, can- 
ary seed, hops, castor beans, sugar beets, 
hay, etc., are among the fruits of the soil, 
and the product is not infrequently 2,000 
to 3,000 pounds of beans, or 2,000 to 0,000 
pounds of corn, per acre. From the farm of 
M. E. Isham, who has 80 acres in fruit — 
consisting of 500 walnut, GOO apple, 3,000 
apricot, 100 lemon, 300 lime, 500 peach, and 
100 pear trees— were produced last season, 
10,000 cans of fruit, and about 3,000 glasses 
of jelly, which respectively brought $2.25 and 
§1.50 per dozen in Ventura, without casing. 
This, besides a great deal of green fruit sold, 
and about 100 barrels of cider vinegar. On 
the 180-acre farm of James Evans, another 

J4 



old settler, were raised in 1878 as much as 
1.100 pounds of shelled corn to the acre, this 
average being reached airain in 1884. 

In 1882 Mr. Evans raised 2,200 pounds of 
flaxseed to the acre. His barley hay in 1889 
gave three tons to the acre. These arc by no 
means exceptional holdings. As indexing 
the products of this district, a few statistics 
gathered from the shipping clerk at the 
Southern Mill and Warehouse Company will 
be interesting: barley, 2,(376,123 pounds; 
Lima beans, 2,109,090; small beans, 750,243; 
corn, 308,750; walnuts, 10,000; honey, 74,- 
463; apricots, 115,726; miscellaneous, 300,- 
000. Total shipments, actual weight, 6,380,- 
395 pounds. 

In addition to above there were in Octo- 
ber, 1889, in warehouse, of barley, 2,089,090 
pounds; wheat, 453,010; honey, 54,853; 
small beans, 136,839; making a errand total 
of 9,114,187 pounds of farm products, which 
at a low estimate must have distributed not 
far from §200,000 among the farmers of this 
prosperous community during the past year. 

Saticoy contains over fifty houses, a beau- 
tiful new church building, a $15,000 school- 
house, three hotels, one of which cost $10,- 
000, two dry-goods stores, three grocery 
stores, one drug store, a town hall, a ware- 
house 50 x 300 feet, etc. Good water is ob- 
tainable here in wells ten to seventy feet 
deep. 

Eastward, and across the river from the 
lower portion of the Santa Paula y Saticoy, is 
the ltancho Santa Clara del Norte, which 
comprises 1.3,988,91 acres, granted to Juan 
Sanchez, May (i, 1837, and to him confirmed. 
This rancho lies six miles east of the county 
seat, and borders three miles of the Santa 
Clara River It is watered by the Santa 
Clara ditch, and by good artesian wells. 
Three-fourths of this land is tillable, the 
grazing land supports 8,000 head of sheep. 



218 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



One vineyard on this rancho, about twenty 
years old, produces 10,000 gallons of excel- 
lent wine annually, selling at 50 cents per 
gallon. In one orchard of 500 trees, there 
are representatives of every variety of fruit 
grown in this county. Large quantities of 
flax are grown here. 

NEW JERUSALEM, 

situated near the northern boundary of La 
Colonia Rancho, is some two miles from 
Montalvo, and half way between Ventura and 
Hueneme. Its chief attraction is the mag- 
nificent surrounding country. The location 
of the town is favorable, and it will doubtless 
become a good town with transportation facil- 
ities and the dividing-up of the Colonia and 
Santa Clara del Norte ranchos, with the at- 
tendant settling of more people. In the 
vicinity of this town are some very fine 
farms, which yield prolifically. This town 
has two large, well-filled general merchandise 
stores, a church and various other business 
institutions. 

montalvo. 

Montalvo is a station five miles east of 
Ventura, on the Southern Pacific Railroad. 
It is the nearest railroad station for New 
Jerusalem and for Hueneme, being about two 
miles from the former and seven from the 
latter. At this place is one of the Southern 
Mill and Warehouse Company's large ware- 
houses. Montalvo, although not having the 
appearance of much of a place, is, neverthe- 
less, quite an important little one, being sit- 
uated, as it is, on the railroad, at a point 
where all the travel from the Simi, Las Posas 
and the southern portion of the county 
crosses to Ventura. The town was laid out 
about two years ago. Water was piped to 
all parts of the tract, being first pumped 
from a well to a large reservoir on a hill 
back of the town. Two store buildings have 



been erected, something like a dozen houses, 
and one of the finest school-houses in the 
county, costing $6,000. 

The development of Montalvo has been 
somewhat retarded by the ownership by one 
man, a Santa Barbara capitalist, of 2,300 
acres of land, lying upon the road to Mont- 
alvo and the ocean. This tract, if sub- 
divided, would make beautiful home lots, and 
so induce immigration. This is a great re- 
gion for beans and fruit. 

Mr. Barnett has a place of only thirty 
acres, from which he reaps a large harvest of 
fruits, mostly apricots. When the trees were 
nine years old the twenty-five acres of apri- 
cots produced fifty tons of fruit. The owner 
of this valuable property has recently erected 
a fruit dryer with one of Thomas Pilking- 
ton's furnaces. 

The celebrated Alhamhra Grove of sixty- 
six acres is owned by Judge S. R. Thorpe 
from Louisana. This is one of the first apri- 
cot orchards in the county and produces as 
rich fruit as any seen. In 1889 the crop 
amounted to two tons of green fruit to the 
acre; in 1888 it was four tons. This place 
is equipped with all necessary appliances for 
carrying on an extensive business. It is an 
interesting sight to see the fruit as it is pre- 
pared and cured in the improved evaporator. 

A field of 250 acres of beans is worked by 
W. S. Sewell, a native of Iowa. He says his 
beans average 1,400 pounds to the acre and 
his corn seventy-five bushels. 

In this same neighborhood Charles G. Fin- 
ney, Esq., a retired lawyer from New Tork, 
has an interesting place of 150 acres covered 
with fruit of all kinds. He has 500 bearing 
pear trees. The fruit he sells dry in cans 
and green; he has also thirty acres in walnuts 
in prolitable bearing, also 1,000 White 
Symrna figs, which, not proving what he ex- 
pected, he feeds to hogs, and finds them ex- 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



219 



ceedingly profitable for this purpose. He 
says that the same amount of ground in corn 
will not make one-fifth the pork these figs 
will. Why not raise figs to feed hogs on? 
He has 5,000 apricots, 120 prunes and other 
fruits, which do well. When Mr. Finney 
came here, fifteen years ago, there was but 
little, if any, orchards between his place and 
Santa Paula. Briggs of Marysville had 
been here before him and tried to raise fruit 
and failed, and when Mr. Finney started in, 
everybody said he would fail, but he kept 
steadily on and succeeded, as his place most 
emphatically proves. 



THE MORE MURDER. 

The murder of Thomas Wallace More was 
a cause celebre, not only in Ventura County, 
but also throughout the State, and it was 
undoubtedly the most notable criminal case 
in the annals of the county. The victim was 
one of four brothers, who had made extensive 
purchases of the old landed estates of the 
Spanish- American families, acquiring in this 
manner the Santa Rosa Island, the Patera, a 
portion of the Hill estate, the Santa Paula y 
Saticoy, the Lompoc and Purisima Vieja, and 
the Sespe. They at one time owned a tract 
thirty-two miles long on the Santa Clara 
River. The murder in question was the re- 
sult of land difficulties over the Sespe pos- 
sessions. 

In November, 1829, Don Carlos Carrillo 
received from the Mexican government a 
grant of the Sespe tract, the extent of which 
is not known, some arguments indicating that 
it comprised only 8,880 acres, or two leagues, 
while other accounts are to the effect that 
there were six leagues granted, this last being 
the territory upon which Carrillo was installed 
by the local government. In 1881 T. Wal- 
lace More purchased Carrillo's grant, sup- 



posing that he was buying six leagues, as he 
paid full value for that quantity, and he 
prosecuted the title to the land, using the 
name of Carrillo as one of the parties in in- 
terest. The Land Commissioners, too, on 
April 18, 1853, had confirmed the grant title 
to " six leagues and no more." 

The United States, as the adverse party, 
appealed the case to the United States District 
Court for the Southern District of California. 
When the plat (diseno) was brought into 
court, it for the first time was remarked that 
the numbers of the grant had been manipu- 
lated, and it was therefore asserted that, by 
the erasure of the figures, six had been sub- 
stitued for two, thus fraudulently increasing 
the grant. The impression of the old settlers 
in the section was that the original grant had 
been made for six leagues. The smaller 
quantity, however, was that confirmed to 
More by the court, a patent being issued 
March 14, 1872. In 1875 More endeavored 
to purchase the other four leagues, under sec- 
tions 7 and 8, codes of 1866. The settlers 
on the land alleged that the claim had been 
settled in full; that they had for years been 
settled upon the land, and had pre-emption 
claims antedating this law; and they appealed 
to the law of March 3, 1861, section 13, 
which declares that all lands, the claims to 
which have been finally rejected by the Com- 
missioners in manner herein provided, or 
which shall finally be declared invalid by the 
District or Supreme Court, and of all lands, 
the claims to which have not been presented 
by said Commissioners within two years after 
the date of this act, shall be deemed, held and 
considered as part of the domain of the Uni- 
ted States. Mr. More's attorney had made 
application for permission to purchase, to the 
Register of the Land Office; and, on that 
officer refusing the permission, the petition 
was lodged with the Commissioners at Wash- 



220 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



ton, where it was pending at the time of the 
murder. 

During several years preceding the murder, 
More often had difficulties with the settlers 
who, to the number of sixty, had established 
themselves upon the land he claimed. Among 
them was one Joseph Bartlett, and him More 
had dispossessed by the sheriff, while the mat- 
ter was in dispute, his squatter's cabin being 
torn down and then burned. The place was 
afterward reoccupied, and the tenant then was 
poisoned, accidentally or otherwise. Of this 
affair an account was published in the San 
Francisco Bulletin, couched in such terms 
that More sued the Bulletin Company for 
$100,000 damage for libel. The case was 
tried in Santa Barbara, where the popular 
animus was very strong against More at that 
time, so that, although the jury found a verdict 
for bim, they gave him only nominal damages, 
fixed at $150, thus practically sustaining 
the Bulletin, although the evidence showed 
charge of poisoning to be unfounded, and 
the casualty owing to the universal free use 
in the district of poison for coyotes, squirrels 
and other vermin. 

During the years which followed, More 
was endeavoring to perfect his title to the 
land, whilst the settlers, remaining in pos- 
session, had formed themselves into a league 
for mutual defense and assistance. It is com- 
monly asserted, although it has been disputed, 
that the death of More had been decreed by 
this league, as a protectionary measure. The 
fact remains that he was commanded to aban- 
don his proceedings to secure the land, in 
letters of incendiary and menacing character. 

During the unusually dry winter of 1876- 
'77, More, while in company with his son-in 
law, C. A. Storke, engaged in inspecting the 
cutting of a ditch to convey water upon his 
land, was attacked by F. A. Sprague, armed 
first with a shot-gun and then with a pistol, 



with which he twice attempted to shoot More, 
being prevented by Storke and More, who 
turned the shots into l he air. For this as- 
sault Sprague was arrested, but was discharged 
by the magistrate. The attack was not made 
upon Sprague's land, the ditch in question 
tapped the Sespe River below Sprague's land, 
and the tract he held by More fourteen years 
before Sprague settled upon and claimed it. 

Such was the condition of affairs on the 
night of March 23-24, 1877, when More slept 
at one of his rancho houses, where there were, 
besides himself, a hired hand named Ferguson, 
a Mexican named Olivas, and Jim Tot, a 
Chinese cook. At about 12:30 the barn, 
distant from the house 200 feet, was fired, and 
More, Ferguson and Olivas, being aroused by 
the Chinese cook, rushed forth, to endeavor 
to save the contents of the barn, consisting of 
twelve work horses, their harness, about 2,000 
sacks of wheat, some barley, and several tons of 
hay. These men were joined by one Rami- 
rez, an employe who had slept outside that 
night, and all were engaged in trying to save 
the property, when More, carrying out a load 
of harness, was fired upon by two masked 
men, guarding the gate of the corral, or barn- 
yard, who shot him in the thigh near the 
groin ; at this, the employes of More scattered 
toward shelter, and More also ran toward 
cover, but fell, and was overtaken by three 
masked men, who then riddled his body and 
head with bullets, of which three entered his 
head, and several his body. A number of 
these shots, after he had fallen, and after he 
had entreated his assailant not to kill him, 
were fired at such short range that his features 
were almost obliterated by powder and smoke. 
After this dastardly deed, the murderers 
turned at the cry of their leader, " Come on, 
boys!" and deliberately left the scene. 

This murder excited the greatest horror 
throughout the State. While the sympathies 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



221 



of the people were with the settlers, the cow- 
ardly and brutal nature of the murder inspired 
great abhorrence. 

The coroner's jury found that " deceased 
came to his death on the morning of March 
24, 1877, by gunshot wounds inflicted by 
divers persons upon the head and body of 
said deceased, by parties unknown to the 
jury; and that the jury further find and de- 
clare the said crime to be a case of wilful 
murder." 

Shortly after the murder, a meeting of the 
settlers upon the Sespe was held at the house 
of F. A. Spragne, being convened on the 
evening of March 28, to give expression to 
public sentiment in regard to the lately com- 
mitted crime of murder and arson. At this 
meeting, N\ H. Hickerson being chairman 
and F. A. Sprague secretary, resolutions 
were passed condemning the action in ques- 
tion, and tendering sympathy and offers of 
assistance and co-operation in detecting and 
bringing to justice the offenders. 

Early in 1878, one Austin Brown, one of 
the Sespe settlers, had some dispute with J. 
T. Curlee, in consequence of which Brown 
sought an interview with the administrator 
of More's estate, and made a statement that 
F. A. Sprague and J. S. Churchill had con- 
spired to kill More, giving details as to par- 
ties involved, time set, etc., this statement be- 
ing given in confidence, as not to be divulged 
to the public until Brown could remove from 
the settlement to a safe place, as he feared 
for his life, having been threatened by More's 
murderers, in event of his disclosing the se- 
cret. In consequence of this movement, 
Brown sold his place, and removed to the 
county-seat, where he was considered safe. 
These and other newly-developed circum- 
stances led to the arrest of F. A. Sprague, J. 
S. Churchill, J. T. Curlee, Jesse M. Jones, 
Ivory D. Lord, Charles McCart, H.Cook and 



J. A. Swanson, on a warrant dated March 28, 
1878. These parties were brought before R. 
C. Carlton, examining magistrate, April 1. 

About this time, it was learned that new 
evidence had been obtained. N. H. Hickerson, 
being ill and in expectation of death, and be- 
ing informed of Brown's statement and the 
arrest of the assassins, came forward to make 
a statement of a secret weighing upon his 
soul, to the effect that he had been the re- 
cipient of Sprague's confession of his plan- 
ning and execution of the murder of T. 
Wallace More. 

As yet the stories of Hickerson and Brown 
had not been made public. The detectives 
and prosecutors who had the matter in hand 
brought about an interview with Jesse M. 
Jones, one of the parties implicated. This 
was a young man, only twenty-three years 
old, and it was considered that he was a tool 
rather than an active agent in the affair, and 
that, under assurance of protection and ulti- 
mate pardon, he might be induced to turn 
State's evidence. Although Jones had no 
knowledge of the revelations of Hickerson 
and Brown, with whom he therefore could 
not have been in collusion, he told a story of 
the murder, substantially the same as that 
related by Hickerson, save that Jones de- 
clared that W. Hunt was present at the mur- 
der, but not Jule Swanson. 

On the preliminary examination, H. Cook 
and J. A. Swanson were discharged, and dur- 
ing the hearing, Charles McCart and W. H. 
Hunt were arrested as accomplices in the 
murder. In the following June, the grand 
jury was organized, and it returned a true 
bill against F. A. Sprague, John Curlee, 
Jesse M. Jones, J. S. Churchill, Charles Mc- 
Cart, W. H. Hunt, and I. D. Lord. The 
lawyers for the prosecution were: J. Gr. How- 
ard and Frank Ganahl, of Los Angeles, L. 
C. Granger (acting district attorney), W. T. 



222 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



Williams, B. F. Williams, and N. Blackstoek 
of Ventura. The counsel for the defense 
were: J. D. Fay, Creed Raymond, and W. 
Allen, from abroad; and J. D. Hines, J. M. 
Brooks and N. C. Bledsoe, local lawyers. 
Eugene Fawcett presided over the court. 
The prisoners demanded separate trials, thus 
entailing heavy unnecessary expense upon 
the county. Hickerson died prior to the 
trial, but his affidavit was introduced as evi- 
dence. The testimony was complete, not a 
link being wanting, and it appeared that 
even the discrepancies of testimony as to the 
different parties engaged, arose from the fact 
that the disguises were donned before they 
came together, so that only two or three knew 
all the persons present. In the case of 
Sprague, the jury rendered a verdict of mur- 
der in the first degree. Curlee was next 
tried, and found guilty, with punishment 
fixed at imprisonment for life. The jury in 
Lord's case disagreed. These three trials 
had exhausted the material for a jury. On 
August 5, 1878, the death sentence upon 
Sprague was pronounced by Judge Fawcett. 
The court now adjourned for the term, as 
the three trials had extended the July session 
into near the middle of August. Jesse M. 
Jones, the State's witness, had been dis- 
charged from the indictment for more than 
a month, being maintained by the county as 
an indigent witness in a criminal case. He 
was under pressure of poverty, and denied 
access to his wife, by her father, on account 
of his betrayal of his confederates. At this 
juncture, full of discomfort for the present, 
and of dread of a forbidding future, he was 
approached by emissaries of counsel for the 
defense, conducted to the presence of those 
attorneys, and there seduced and suborned 
into retracting his former statements, and 
made affidavit that his former testimony was 
given under compulsion and fears for his 



own safety. Upon this recantation the other 
accused were dismissed, it being impossible 
to convict them without Jones' testimony, 
and even great efforts were made to have the 
sentence against Sprague quashed. This not 
being done, the death sentence was com- 
muted to imprisonment for life. Jones, 
having scofFed at and defied the power of the 
law, was absolutely beyond its vengeance; 
owing to the provisions of the penal code 
making absolute and unconditional the dis- 
charge of an accomplice, that he may become 
a witness for the people; and the improved 
and comfortable financial conditions with 
which he was thereafter surrounded, proved 
what inducements had secured his perjury. 
Sprague spent ten years in the penitentiary, 
was then pardoned out by Governor Stone- 
man, and now lives in Ventura County. 
Curlee, having been granted by the Supreme 
Court a new trial, was dismissed like the 
others, after Jones' defection, and now lives 
in San Diego County, as does Hunt. Church- 
ill, after acquittal, went to Oregon, where he 
probably died, being consumptive. Jones 
lives in San Bernardino County, and scattered 
are the rest whose dastardly deed has left a 
black blot upon the fair fame of Ventura 
County. While the settlers believed that 
they were on Government land, and resolved 
to defend their rights thereto, inspired by 
the God-given love of home, there is no 
doubt that More also believed that he was 
right, being firm in the conviction that he 
had bought six leagues in his Sespe pur- 
chase. As to the rights of possession, the 
present writer does not assume to judge, but 
only to condemn, as ever, the cowardice and 
unfairness of the means employed against 
one man by many. The commission gave 
the disputed land to JMore's heirs, the Secre- 
tary of the Interior, Carl Schurz, reversed 
this decision; and although two succeeding 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



!23 



commissions have pronounced in favor of 
the heirs the land is held by the settlers. 

RANCHO SESPE. 

The Sespe Rancho adjoins the Santa 
Paula y Saticoy on the northeast, extending 
eight miles up the Santa Clara, and embrac- 
ing most of the arable land in the valley on 
both sides of the river within those limits — 
an extent of two leagues, or some 8,880.81 
acres. This land encloses but does not in- 
clude a tract of Government land. The title 
to the rancho is by United States patent. 

The story of this rancho is remarkable, 
involving, in the struggles made for its pos- 
session, episodes of trespass, misdemeanor, 
fraud, arson, attempted homicide and murder. 

The rancho was used many years mainly 
for pasturage for stock, although it possessed 
such remarkable advantages of soil, water 
and climate as to render it an uncommonly 
desirable territory for the production of vege- 
tables, cereals, grapes, citrus and most varie- 
ties of deciduous fruits. The upper portion 
of this rancho contains the noted oil wells. 
The elevation of this tract is some 2,000 feet 
above sea level. 

Among the earliest settlers here were liv- 
ing, in 1861, the More brothers, W. H. Nor- 
way and Captain William Morris. Their 
nearest American neighbors, for at least a 
part of the year, were at San Buenaventura. 
The first crop of grain was sowed in the 
winter of 1860-61, the More brothers putting 
in about 200 acres of wheat. Jt was har- 
vested by W. S. Chaffee and W. H. Norway, 
Alexander Cameron being the contractor. 
The grain was cut with a reaper and threshed 
out by horses. 

In 1876 this rancho, then owned by T. 
"Wallace More, was assessed at $9 per acre, 
whereupon he entered suit to have a portion 
of the taxes refunded. It was maintained 



that the land could be sold for twice that 
sum within twenty-four hours. 

In March, 1877, took place the murder of 
T. Wallace More, the owner of the rancho, a 
full account of this crime being given else- 
where. 

This rancho is becoming settled rapidly, 
many people being attracted thither by the 
rare advantages of soil and climate. While 
there are no large towns on this territory, 
not a few villages and centers of population 
are found here. 

La Cienega (Spanish for a marsh) is the 
name of a postoffice which was established in 
1875, up the valley some fourteen miles from 
Santa Paula, and twenty-one miles from New- 
hall. Near La Cienega is the " Buckhorn 
Ranch," Mr. B. F. Warring's famous place, 
whose owner settled here in 1869, upon 160 
acres, to which, after ten years' litigation, he 
obtained a United States patent. Lying on 
the old stage road, and midway between Los 
Angeles and Santa Barbara, this in time came 
to be a regular eating-place and relay stage 
station, widely and favorably known to the 
pilgrim guild. It took its name from the 
great antlers hung over the gate, trophies 
from many a proud buck brought down by 
the gun of the ranchero. This is a sheltered 
spot, free from frosts, well-watered and 
blessed with a rich soil. In the neighbor- 
hood are many farms where grow plentifully 
grain, vegetables and fruits. 

FILLMORE. 

This is a small town, started by the Sespe 
Land and Water Company, just after the ad- 
vent of the railway. It lies in a charming 
situation, and in the midst of a fruitful 
country, full of profitable farms. About 200 
people take their mail from this office. The 
settlement nucleus has a Presbyterian church, 
a school -house, two hotels, several stores, a 



224 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



lumber-yard, a blacksmith-shop, etc. Near 
this was started at about the same time 
another little town called Sespe, but a church 
is about the only claim to importance to be 
seen here. 

BARDSDALE. 

In January, 1887, R. G. Surdam, one of 
the founders of Nordhoff, bought of Thos. R. 
Bard, of Hueneme, 1,500 acres of the old 
Sespe grant, and soon thereafter founded the 
now thriving little town of Bardsdale. It is 
in a beautiful valley, appropriately termed a 
"dale," the ground lying between mountains, 
and sloping gently from the range to the 
river. Bardsdale is a little south of Fillmore, 
on the Southern Pacific Railway, fifty-six 
miles from Los Angeles. It is the only town 
in the Santa Clara Y alley south of the Santa 
Clara river. The land here is of a superior 
quality of soil, and its sheltered position in- 
sures a delightful climate. There is an 
abundant supply of water for domestic and 
irrigation purposes, brought from the Santa 
Clara River, through strong wooden flumes, 
constructed at a cost of some $8,000. Thus 
irrigation can be applied to hundreds of acres, 
planted to barley, potatoes, etc., there being 
at least ten miles of these flumes. As an ex 
ponent of the productiveness of the soil, it 
may be said that potatoes yield easily 75 to 
150 sacks per acre, which rarely sell for less 
than 75 cents to $1.25 per sack. On one 
farm of about 100 acres, the owners, begin- 
ning with a crop of sixty bushels of corn per 
acre, have evei-y year increased the yield 
until it has reached an average yield of ninety 
bushels per acre; in other words, there have 
harvested from this field during the last 
twelve years not far from 90,000 bushels of 
corn, grown without irrigation or fertilizer. 

AN EARTHLY PARADISE. 

Three or four years ago Mr. David C. 

Cook, the Chicago publisher of Sunday-school 



literature, came into Ventura County and 
purchased that portion of the Temescal or Old 
Camulos Rancho which extends up the Piru 
Canon. Since then he has added consider- 
able to it, bringing it up to nearly 14,000 
acres and calling it the Firu. This ranch is lo- 
cated on the Piru Creek, including the mouth 
of the stream and a small portion of the Santa 
Clara Yalley. As most of the ranch was 
mountainous it was formerly thought to be 
only suitable for grazing purposes, but Mr. 
Cook has already demonstrated that it is valu- 
able for something else. He has planted out 
and has growing 400 acres of oranges, 300 
acres of apricots, 180 acres of figs, 200 acres 
English walnuts, 130 acres of olives, 80 acres 
of grapes, 30 acres of chestnuts, 20 acres of 
almonds, 10 acres of pomegranates and 10 
acres of Japanese persimmons. He has in 
his nursery 150,000 citrus trees ready for 
planting this fall, and 3,500 fig trees. 

He has laid out eight miles of avenues and 
has ten acres devoted to ornamental shrubs 
and trees. The latter embraces trees, shrubs 
and plants from about every northern and 
semi-tropical clime, and in great variety. All 
this has been done so noiselessly that not 
half the people of Ventura County are aware 
of its having been accomplished. A fine 
stream of water traverses the entire length of 
the rancho, and is entirely utilized for irri- 
gating purposes, which is useful in starting 
citrus and other trees, and also is helpful 
when some kinds are fruiting. Mr. Cook's 
experiments only indicate the possibilities of 
this wonderful soil and climate. 

As an illustration of what has already been 
said of this county's productive soil, and 
adaptability to fruit raising, one has only to 
make a trip to the little town of Piru City, 
which was laid out and dedicated in March, 
1888. It is located on the Ventura division 
of the Southern Pacific Railroad, thirty miles 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



southeast of San Buena Ventura at the junc- 
tion of the Piru and Santa Clara rivers; con- 
tains about twenty buildings including Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church with a membership 
of fifteen; one general merchsandie store, 
meat market, paint-shop and depot. They 
also have telegraph, express and post offices, 
and their population is now about 100. 

KANCHO CAMUXOS. 

On the line of the railway, forty-seven 
miles northwest of Los Angeles, and in the 
extreme eastern portion of Ventura County 
is that fertile 2,000-acre tract known as the 
Camulos. This was once a part of the great 
San Francisco Rancho, belonging to-Los An- 
geles County. This portion of the original 
grant was established as placed in Ventura 
when the boundary lines were settled between 
this county and Santa Barbara. The San 
Francisco Rancho was granted in 1841 to 
Antonio del Valle, and upon his death passed 
to his son, Ygnacio del Valle, who held it in- 
tact until 1866, when he sold all but 1,500 
acres to a Philadelphia company. When he 
acquired the property, in 1861, Ygnacio del 
Valle removed his family to reside on the 
Camulos, romewhat improved already. From 
that time improvements here, have been con- 
stantly in progress, but the picturesque and 
romantic features of the rancho have been 
preserved. Don Ygnacio died in March, 
1880, leaving a widow and five children. 
The present owners have added 500 acres to 
the original reservation, and the whole has 
been improved until it is now one of the 
most productive and profitable properties in 
Ventura County. This rancho is divided 
about equally into farming and grazing land. 
The pastures raise horses, horned cattle, 
sheep and hogs. All farming on the Camu- 
los is carried on with irrigation, and the 
whole Santa Clara River could be diverted 



into the great ditches running across the 
rancho. Here are grown excellent crops of 
wheat, in quality very superior, also bounti- 
ful crops of barley, rye, oats, corn, potatoes, 
sweet potatoes, pumpkins, melons, and all 
kinds of vegetables, harvested from the same 
land year after year with no indication of ex- 
hausting the soil. 

The vineyard here is of 50,000 vines, which 
for many years have yielded 10,000 to 20,000 
gallons of wine per year. From an orange 
grove of 2,000 trees, 1,200 boxes of fruit 
were shipped last season. The returns are 
handsome from 500 walnut trees, as also from 
the oil and pickled olives from a fine grove 
of 1,000 olive trees. Almost every kind of 
fruit grown in the United States is raised 
here. 

This rancho was the scene of Mrs. Helen 
Hunt Jackson's novel of " Ramona," and the 
del Valle family have suffered not a little 
from the inconvenient notoriety thus given 
their property, and the consequent invasion 
of inquisitive and often intrusive and un- 
mannerly visitors to the site. In the imme- 
diate vicinity of this rancho there is a large 
settlement of Spanish-Californian farmers, 
who employ the most improved implements 
and methods, and raise good crops of corn, 
beans and barley. The next great estate is 
the 

KANCHO SAN FRANCISCO, 

containing about 11,500 acres of grazing, and 
3,000 acres of tillable land, which is divided 
into nearly equal portions by the Santa Clara 
River, and of which about 13,000 acres be- 
long in Ventura, and the rest in Los Angeles 
county. This rancho was granted January 
22, 1839, to Antonio del Valle, and confirmed 
to Jacoba Feliz and others, then containing 
only some 10,000 acres. It now belongs 
mostly to the estate of II. M. Newhall, the 
well-known auctioneer of San Francisco. 



226 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



Save at Newhall, in Los Angeles County, 
few houses appear on this rancho, whose 
rough mountains and coarse, wild sage-brush 
and weeds appear like worthless waste land. 
Yet these very brush-lands are admirable 
bee pastures. Here, too, are oil interests not 
yet developed. 

THE WESTERN PORTION OF VEN- 
TURA. 

The country drained by the San Buena- 
ventura River is mostly comprised within 
the limits of the following ranchos: — The 
Caiiada San Mignelito and a part of the ex- 
Mission, both bordering on the ocean; the 
Canada Larga or Canada Verde, and the 
Ojai on the left bank, and the Santa Ana on 
the right bank. 

The vast domain of the ex-Mission Rancho 
was granted as six leagues to Jose Arnaz, by 
Governor Pio Pico, June 8, 1846. Arnaz 
sold it to M. A. R. Poli in 1850. The claim 
was confirmed May 15, 1855, by the Land 
Commissioner, and finally, on April 1, 1861, 
by the United States District Court. In Au- 
gust, 1874, a patent was issued to the 
grantees for 48,822.91 acres. Poli sold the 
property to the San Buenaventura Manufact- 
uring and Mining Company. He afterward 
died insolvent. This rancho derives its name 
from the fact that a division was made of the 
lands held in the name of the old Mission, 
the church retaining the old orchard and 
36-j^g- acres contiguous; all lands outside 
these are called ex-Mission lands. At the 
sale of lands for delinquent taxes, February 
16, 1874, the ex-Mission lands were offered 
for sale without a buyer, the taxes amounting 
to $3,163, drawing interest at two per cent, 
per month. This region is one of almost 
continuous settlements, with easy outlets. 
The soil is exceedingly rich to the very crests 



of the hills, and the climate is unsurpassed. 
The lands are agricultural and grazing. This 
territory is luxuriantly covered with wild 
oats, wild burr-clover, and alfilaria. A short 
distance back from the sea are forests of oaks, 
not readily seen save from close at hand. 
The bee pasturage is rich and extensive. The 
oil belt underlies a portion of this rancho. 

THE RANCHO CANADA SAN MIGEUELITO. 

This is next northwest of the ex-Mission 
Rancho. It has about three miles of coast 
line. This grant of 8,877.04 acres was con- 
firmed to J. F. Rodriguez and others. This 
rancho consists almost wholly of rich pasture 
lands, raising great numbers of sheep. Very 
little timber is found here. The ocean road 
from San Buenaventura to Santa Barbara 
passes along the beach here. On Govern- 
ment land close by this rancho is a mine of 
so-called rock soap, being an infusorial earth 
resembling marl. It has been exported for 
polishing silverware, and for use by jewelers 
for burnishing purposes. 

THE RANCHO CANADA LARGA 6 VERDE 

was granted to J. Alvarado, who pushed the 
claim to confirmation. It contains about 
2,220 acres, of which all is grazing land but 
about 1,000 acres, which are well cultivated, 
and upon which are found fine orchards and 
handsome homes. 

THE OJAI RANCHO. 

This is a wedge-shaped tract, which was 
granted to Fernando Tico, April 6, 1837, and 
afterward confirmed to him; acreage 17,792.- 
70. In 1864 this rancho was bought by 
the California Petroleum Company. It was 
then a very wild place; a dozen or more 
grizzly bears were killed in Ojai Valley in 
one winter, and hundreds were thereabouts, 
as well as California lions, wild cats, etc. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



227 



Lion Canon was so named from the great 
number of these panthers that it harbored. 
Dr. Chauncey Isbell lived here as early as 
1866, and in October, 1868, Eobert Ayers 
removed thither his family, the first American 
household in the valley, where a few Spanish- 
Californian families were living. In 1870 but 
two houses, one frame, one adobe, were in 
the Upper Ojai. In 1872 this rancho pro- 
duced about 16,200 bushels of wheat, aver- 
aging thirty to forty bushels to the acre. A 
grange was organized here in 1874, and, in 
1875 there were two school districts, the 
Ojai and the Nordhoff. The settlement of 
this section has been most rapid; within four 
years from the time when the inhabitants 
were less than half a dozen it had nearly 
100, forming an enterprising and intelligent 
community. The fertility of this soil is 
hardly surpassed in California; here the 
wheat crop reaches its maximum as to quality 
and quantity. No irrigation is used for the 
small grain crops. Artesian water is obtained 
at Nordhoff, but it rises little above the sur- 
face. On the hills all the usual northern 
farm crops thrive remarkably well, as also 
many fruits, etc., considered semi-tropical in 
character. 

THE OJAI VALLEY. 

Almost in a straight line due north from 
San Buenaventura, from which town it is 
fourteen miles distant, lies the valley of the 
Ojai, shut in by high mountains, that deter- 
mine the amphitheater-like shape whence it 
takes its name (a nest). 

The mountains on the north side take a 
snowy covering in winter, in sharp contrast 
with the slopes of sulphur mountain, covered 
with live-oaks on the south side. Over- 
looking the others rises Mount Topotopa, 
between 5,000 and 6,000 feet high, also snow- 
mantled in the winter. 

The drive to the lower Ojai follows an easy 



grade along a beautiful clear stream where 
trout sport and twinkle. The Upper Ojai, to 
the eastward of the main valley, is reached by 
a steep grade up an oak-covered ridge leading 
out of the lower valley. The soil here is rich 
and fertile, and plentifully watered, and its 
crops never fail. 

Attention was first called to this valley by 
Charles Nordhoff, who visited it in 1872, and 
soon after, in his book on California, gave an 
enthusiastic description of it. 

The lower valley is five miles long, and 
800 feet above sea-level; the upper is smaller, 
with an elevation of about 1,200 feet. This 
basin is well-timbered, and its soil is very 
productive, giving the largest yield in the 
county of wheat per acre. It is also well 
adapted for raising the finest varieties of 
citrus fruits. Mr. Elwood Cooper, the famous 
olive-grower, says that the Ojai is also the 
best olive-growing district in California. 

The scenery here is truly wonderful; the 
softy and balmy air, the park-like groves of 
oaks, their mistletoe, the vines and mosses, 
the bird voices within their leafage, the 
grandeur of the surrounding mountains, the 
cloud effects — all combine to give an inde- 
scribable charm to the Ojai Valley. 

But there is another advantage; the 
delightful climate is of great benefit to suf- 
ferers from affections of the throat and luntrs, 
and the famous Ojai Hot Springs in the 
Matilija Canon are possessed of strong cura- 
tive properties. 

The Ojai Hot Sulphur Springs are beauti- 
fully situated in Waterfall Canon, about five 
miles from Nordhoff and fifteen from Ven- 
tura. The altitude at the springs is about 
1,000 feet. The flow is about 50,000 gallons ' 
per hour, and the temperature ranges from 
60° F. to 74° and 104° F. Several of the 
springs are carbonated and others are sul- 
phureted. The Ojai waters contain: sodium, 



228 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



potassium and magnesium carbonates and sul- 
phates, calcium and- ferrous carbonates, sili- 
cates, carbonic anhydride and sulphureted 
hydrogen. The waters have a reputation for 
whitening and softening the skin, and im- 
proving the complexion. These springs are 
the resort of many people afflicted with stiff 
joints, rheumatism, gout and skin diseases. 

Almost in the center of this lovely valley, 
and nearly 900 feet above the sea, is the 
village of Nordhoff, so named in recognition 
of Charles Nordhoffs offices in heralding to 
the outside world the merits of this quarter. 

Mr. R. G. Surdam, if not the first, was 
one of the prime movers in starting this 
flourishing little town, he having bought 
sixty acres, which he laid off in blocks and 
lots in 1874. He gave a one-third interest 
to A. M. Blumberg, on condition that he 
build a hotel. That structure, which at first 
was made of light scantling covered with 
cloth, has developed and grown into quite a 
sightly hostelry, the nucleus of a thrifty little 
village. Nordhoff contains some 300 inhab- 
itants, many of whom are recuperated in- 
valids from nearly every State in the Union. 
There are here two hotels, nestled under the 
splendid oaks, two churches, two school- 
houses, two general merchandise stores, two 
blacksmiths, a builder, contractor and lumber- 
dealer, and a butcher-shop. There is a weekly 
newspaper and a postoffice with daily mail. 

SANTA ANA VALLEY. 

Westward from the Ojai are a number of 
broad mesas and thickly-populated uplands, 
which constitute the Santa Ana Valley, on 
whose well-cultivated farms and orchards are 
raised as fine fruits as any Yentura County 
produces. This is all a fine grain country, 
where wheat reaches its maximum as to 
height, quantity and quality. This valley is 
a twin sister to the Ojai in its climate, soil 



and resources, and also probably with quite 
as much water and timber, but this valley 
contains less arable land than the Ojai. 

Here is a region of forests; timber of ma- 
jestic size, and an undergrowth of wild oats, 
wild grasses, wild gooseberries, rhododendron 
and honeysuckle, while wild grapes clamber 
over the trees along the creeks and the river. 

A portion of this territory has as great an 
altitude as the Ojai, but it is much lower 
where it approaches the San Buenaventura 
Valley. Above this section the Ventura 
River descends rapidly, passing by cascades 
over highlands, but it flows more tranquilly 
when it reaches the table-like lands of the 
Ojai and Santa Ana ranchos. Here it gathers 
volume from the water of the San Antonio 
and Coyote creeks, the former flowing from 
the east, the other from the west; and hence 
forward to the sea it flows with gentle cur- 
rent. All three of these are fine trout 
streams. 

THE KANCHO SANTA ANA. 

This tract of 21,522.04 acres was, in April, 
1837, granted to Crisogono Ayalaand others, 
and to them confirmed. This lies but two 
miles from the Santa Barbara line, and it is 
the most northerly rancho in Ventura County. 
The Coyote Creek crosses this forest-hooded 
rancho, of which nearly 10,000 acres would 
be good arable land, if cleared of its timber. 
In May, 1875, this rancho was surveyed in 
lots, which were to be sold on terms similar 
to those of the Lompoc colony lands. The 
capital stock of the company was fixed at 
$60,000, in shares of $100 each. Among the 
estimated resources were 6,000 acres of arable 
land, other 6,000 tillable with side-hill plows, 
and 75,000 cords of wood. The temperance 
principle was to be a leading feature of this 
settlement. The project was never carried 
to fulfillment. 




MISSION SAN BUENAVENTURA in 1875. 








BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF THE CITY OF VENTURA. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



229 



THE TOWN" OF SAN BUENA- 
VENTURA. 

The capital, or county-seat, of Ventura is 
situated a few miles east of Point Rincon, 
near where the Ventura River empties into 
the ocean. The " Small City," or <' Palm 
City," as it loves to call itself, spreads over 
an area extending to about twenty blocks 
long by six wide. The sea washes the south- 
ern boundary, the Ventura River skirts the 
western, a high hill looms on the northern 
side, whilst the fertile Santa Clara Valley 
stretches out eastward. 

The old town was grouped about the adobe 
buildings and the semi-tropical gardens of 
the mission, and it was long isolated for lack 
of railway communication, being accessible 
only by means of the steamers of the coast 
line, at that time generally small and uncom- 
fortable for purposes of travel. 

This has, however, always been an import- 
ant shipping point. In the mission days, 
when the hides and tallow produced from the 
broad lands ruled by the fathers were car- 
ried hence by Indians and wading sailors, as 
related by Robinson and Dana, and in later 
days when a substantial wharf, large ware- 
houses and frequent service of steamers 
facilitated the export of products from the 
rich tributary country. 

Since the coming of the railway, in 1887, 
San Buenaventura has veritably entered upon 
a new epoch of existence, with a new lease 
of life, and the outside world has begun to 
learn somewhat of her resources. 

The town is eighty miles distant fiom Los 
Angeles, thirty from Santa Barbara and 300 
by sea from San Francisco. 

Lying upon a narrow plain between the 
foot-hills and the sea, the town, like many 
others of the older Spanish settlements, 
naturally enough grew along one main busi- 



ness street. When the Americans came 
they spread out across that narrow plain, and 
began also to climb the hills in search of 
places whereon to build homes. Thus San 
Buenaventura to-day has five long streets, 
Front, Meta, Santa Clara, Main and Poli, in 
the order named from the water front back, 
which run east and west, parallel to the 
shore, and crossed at right angles by nine- 
teen other streets, running north and south. 
These all have either wooden or concrete 
walks eight and ten feet in width. Probably 
no other towj in the State of the same pop- 
ulation has the same quantity of sidewalks. 
In the last two years Ventura has built 
11,310 feet of cement sidewalks, at a cost of 
$25,188, and 39.101 feet of wooden side- 
walks, costing $32,100, making in all nine 
and one-half miles of walks, al a cost of 
$57,288. Aside from this there are eight 
and one-half miles of graded streets, pre- 
pared at a cost of $38,145. The system of 
sewerage is gcod, there being three miles of 
sewer pipe that cost $20,000. 

Here, as in Paris, France, there are city 
ordinances forbidding the casting down of 
paper, etc., upon the streets, or the throw- 
ing into them of any sort of litter, and these 
precautions, together with the services of 
men employed to do weeding, etc., keep the 
streets and sidewalks of this town in fine 
condition. Provision is made, too, against 
the bane of Southern California durinjr the 
dry season — dust. By an ordinance approved 
in November, 1888, constantly three, and 
occasionally four, sprinkling carts are kept at 
work on the city streets, at a cost of about 
$2,500 per year. 

There is also a good system of sewerage, 
based on the Waring plan, comprising 
17,914 feet of pipe, of diameters ranging 
from six to fourteen inches, constructed of 
the best vitrified ironstone piping, at a cost 



230 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



of $25,000. The sewering is greatly facili- 
tated by the natural slope of the town site. 

Running for several miles northward along 
the border of the Ventura River is a beauti- 
ful valley, or narrow strip of land, called 
"The Avenue." It is laid off into small 
farms and villa lots, skirted by hills on either 
hand, and here live many of Ventura's peo- 
ple, amidst a wealth of fruit and flowers. 
The street which runs through this valley is 
broad, level and very nearly straight, extend- 
ing six or eight miles. It is set with shade 
trees nearly the whole distance, and the 
enterprise of the residents here provides for 
its sprinkling from end to end. This is the 
boulevard of Ventura, and its beautiful bor- 
dering of tasteful houses, and its well-kept 
orchards and gardens, make it indeed an at- 
tractive drive. 

On the avenue grows a monster grapevine, 
about seventy-five years old, whose main 
vine is over three feet in circumference. It 
is trained over framework, and produces an- 
nually several thousand tons of grapes. 

San Buenaventura is a town of the sixth 
class. Its population is 2,350, of which 
about sixteen per cent, consist of the Span- 
ish-American element. 

The assessed valuation of city property for 
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1890, shows 
as follows: town lots, $814,385; improve- 
ments, $375,370; personal property, $391,- 
529; money, $18,871; mortgages, $171,103. 

San Buenaventura was incorporated as a 
town March 10, 1866, and re-incorporated 
March 29. 1876. 

The municipal officers are: A board of 
town trustees, consisting of J. S. Collins, 
President; and Peter Bennett, C. D. Bones- 
tel, E. M. Jones and J. R. Willoughby; 
Marshal, Frank S. Cook; Clerk, J. F. New- 
by; Attorney, Lloyd Selby; Treasurer, Chas. 
McDonald; Engineer, G. C. Power. 



There is a volunteer fire department, 
equipped with two hose carts and hook-and- 
ladder paraphernalia. There are about forty 
members. 

The town hall and library building, in one, 
built in 1883, is owned by the city. It is a 
one-story brick of fifty feet frontage on the 
main street, with a depth of seventy feet 
The construction is such as provides for the 
ready and economic addition of another 
story. 

The town hall contains a fine cement and 
brick fire-proof vault of the latest improved 
order, whose capacity is sufficient to make it 
the receptacle of the municipal records and 
documents for at least twenty-five years to 
come. This building is valued at about 
$7,000. 

The cemeteries, Protestant, Roman Cath- 
olic and Jewish, are situated on a beautiful 
location in the eastern addition. With the 
exception of the Roman Catholic one, they 
are owned and managed by the municipal 
jurisdiction, the town clerk giving deeds for 
lots, while the sexton reports to the town 
trustees. 

The Ventura postofhce is of the third 
class. The postmaster is Nathan H. Shaw, 
and he has one assistant. The postmaster 
refuses to give any information regarding 
the business of the office, such as is custom- 
arily given to the public press once or twice 
a year; therefore no comparison can be made 
of the relative importance of this with other 
county- seat postoffices. The Postoffice De- 
partment at Washington, at the request of 
citizens here, recently changed the name of 
this postoffice from San Buenaventura to 
Ventura. Much mail and express matter 
designed for this office found its way to San 
Bernardino, and vice versa. Then the name 
was too long to write and too difficult for 
strangers to pronounce. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



231 



For a number of years the town was 
lighted by gas, there being twenty-five street 
lamps, paid for by the city; but since Sep- 
tember 1, 1890, the municipality has adopted 
the electric light system, of which there are 
two circuits. The gas company still lights 
many stores, offices, etc. 

"Ventura has no street railways, but a fran- 
chise to build one has recently been granted. 

In February, 1888, the telephone service 
was introduced, under the management of an 
experienced electrician. Beginning with 
thirty connections, the patronage has steadily 
increased to sixty, and connection will soon 
be made with neighboring towns. The 
service is in great favor here. 

Ventura has in force various ordinances 
highly favorable to public morals, among 
others, one prohibiting boys under sixteen 
years old from being in the streets after 
8 P. M. 

The high-license law has been in opera- 
tion for one year. The license is $600 per 
month, of which one-half goes to the town 
and one-half to the county. 

Located in San Buenaventura, as the 
county-seat, are various county institutions, 
hereinafter described, as the hospital, the 
court-house, etc. 

"Within the city limits there is a half-mile 
race-track, of private ownership. 

There are several excellent hotels, among 
them the Rose, a handsome three-story brick, 
cost $120,000; artistic in furnishing, and 
excellently managed, it is safe to say this is 
the best hotel in Southern California. 

The following report was prepared by Mr. 
J. F. Newby, who was for ten years librarian 
of the Ventura Library Association: 

"This association was incorporated Novem- 
ber 23, 1874, with Milton Wason, James 
Daly, C. G. Finney, L. F. Fastin, G. S. Gil- 
bert, Jr., C. II. Bailey, J. J. Sheridan, T. 13. 



Steepleton and L. C Granger as incorpo- 
rators. The association arranged for a fair 
and festival, the proceeds of which went 
to purchase books and furniture. All mem- 
bers were required to pay $5 per annum to- 
ward supporting the library, and those who 
did not pay the $5 for membership paid 
twenty-five cents a month for the privilege 
of drawing books. A room was secured and 
some 600 volumes purchased, Mr. J. W. 
Maxwell being the first librarian, succeeded 
by Miss Cecelia Perkins. The library was 
kept up until the spring of 1878, when it 
became involved in debt and was closed. 

" In August, 1878, the library trustees, 
Messrs. James Daly, M. U. Gay, C. H. 
Bailey, L. F. Eastin and J. J. Sheridan, made 
a proposition to the board of town trustees 
to transfer the assets of the association to 
the town, provided the town would pay the 
library indebtedness, and agree to levy a 
library tax under a State law allowing incor- 
porated towns to levy a library tax. The 
town board accepted the proposition and 
took charge of the library August 21, 1878, 
with J. F. Newby as librarian, he continu- 
ing to till the position until February 1, 
1888. 

" The library was a success from the time 
the town took charge of it and levied an an- 
nual tax to support it. New books were 
added two or three times each year, until the 
library now contains 4,000 carefully selected 
volumes. A reading room is attached to the 
library, in which one finds the standard peri- 
odicals of the day. There were over 10,000 
books drawn from the library last year by 
citizens. The town has lately added an addi- 
tion to the library room, and the library now 
has two large, well-lighted rooms. 

" Miss FlorenceVandever, daughter of Gen- 
eral Vandever, is the present librarian, and 
under her management the place is made 



232 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



attractive, as shown by the increased attend- 
ance. 

"The library is one of the best small libra- 
ries in the State, and is the pride of the 
citizens of Ventura. The success of the 
library is mainly due to the intelligent and 
constant supervision of Messrs. James Daly, 
W. E. Shepherd and Judge S. A. Sheppard, 
and especially to James Daly, who was one 
of the original founders, and since then 
almost continuously one of the trustees, he 
having been untiring in his efforts to build 
up the library and make it a success. 

" The library is open every afternoon and 
evening, and it is largely patronized, the 
Venturans taking great pride in the institu- 
tion." 

A feature aesthetic as well as practical of 
the town is 

FLORICULTURE. 

A few years ago Mrs. T. B. Shepherd 
of San Buenaventura, possessing a love for 
flowers and rare plants, sought, through a 
system of mutual exchange, to add to her 
collection and at the same time furnish per- 
sons in other parts of the country with such 
seeds and bulbs as she grew at home. In her 
zeal and anxiety to secure for herself some 
varieties grown by Eastern florists, she oc- 
casionally applied to them, proposing to 
furnish from her stock such as they might 
wish to propagate. These applications were 
often entirely unnoticed. Peter Henderson, 
however, the noted seedsman and florist, 
wrote her encouragingly and advised her to 
raise seeds and bulbs for the Eastern market. 
This was four years ago; but, having no 
capital and only a limited experience, her 
progress was necessarily slow. But with a 
courage born of love for the business, she 
went to work upon about two acres of ground 
adjoining her residence. As fast as the in- 
come from her sales would permit she would 



order seeds and bulbs from prominent florists 
in Europe and America. Her ground had to 
be prepared and necessary buildings put up, 
and all from the income of the garden. 
Thus has she worked along, experimenting 
sometimes though rarely failing, until she 
has demonstrated that this country, and right 
here in Ventura, is one of the best places for 
cultivating flowering plants for profit in the 
world. Of all the European plants and bulbs 
she has cultivated, those raised here are 
superior to those raised in their own country. 
Her business has increased until it requires 
the constant attention of two men under her 
supervision, and her sales to Eastern seeds- 
men and florists alone will amount to $2,000 
this year. This amount does not iuclude her 
sales to individuals and those who purchased 
for their own use, which sales are very con- 
siderable. She values her stock at $5,000, 
and fully expects to realize that amount upon 
her next year's sales. Eastern florists who 
would not deign to answer her letters when, 
as an amateur, she applied to them for 
favors, now send her orders for seeds and 
bulbs. She shipped, in one year, on orders 
from the Eastern States, 10,000 calla lilies, 
20,000 Freesia refracta alba and 1,750 Oanna 
Ehemani. She has already received orders 
for thirty-three pounds of sinilax seed, and 
has sent to one order $45 worth of fuchsia 
seed. Mrs. Shepherd states that her business 
is increasing rapidly, and that, as Southern 
California becomes better known for the ex- 
cellence of its seeds and bulbs, she cannot 
supply the demand, notwithstanding the 
fact that she is now improving and planting 
out five acres in addition to the above floral 
park. 

It having become noised abroad that Mrs. 
Shepherd was willing to impart to others the 
results of her experience, she has been be- 
sieged with letters, often from people who 



VEN1URA COUNTY. 



233 



write from curiosity only. This is obviously 
unfair to the lady; for, while she is always 
ready to give information to persons in- 
terested in pursuing this new field of labor 
she has shown to be open to and practicable 
for women, she has not the time nor the 
strength to attend to the merely curious. 

THE COUNTY HOSPITAL. 

This institution is situated in a central 
portion of San Buenaventura, on the same 
tract as the court-house and other county 
edifices, where thecounty owns one half-block. 

The building has recently been renovated; 
its walls calcimined and cheerful pictures 
hung upon them; the wood-work is clean 
with fresh paint, and carpets are laid on most 
of the passage-ways. In the lower ball is a 
case containing a number of books and 
periodicals. 

The office contains a supply of medicines; 
the wards are well lighted, well ventilated, 
commodious, and comfortably fitted. There 
are four wards upstairs and two down, - in all 
about eighteen beds. At present thirteen 
beds are occupied — eleven by men, and two 
by old ladies of neat and tidy appearance, 
disabled by rheumatism from work. 

The kitcben is well kept, and it and the 
pantry seem to be supplied with viands of a 
better quality than is usual in such institu- 
tions. 

The outhouses are ample and orderly, the 
grounds cheerful with flowers, and the kitch- 
en-garden filled with vegetables. 

This hospital seems less formal and more 
homelike than most refuges of the sort. 

It is under the management of Dr. Cephas 
11. Bard, the county physician, and of Dr. 
Joshua Marks, hospital superintendent. The 
cost of the hospital was $10,000. 

Until within the past few years the poor 
were " farmed out;" then the atention of Mr. 

15 



W. H. Jewett, county auditor and recorder, 
having been called to an act of the Legisla- 
ture of 1882 to provide aid for the indigent 
sick, he looked up the records, and claims 
were made out for $1,800. This being 
allowed, the matter was pressed, and Ventura 
County was found to be entitled to $10,700 
from this source, and the amount was duly 
collected from the respective fund or appro- 
priation. 

THE COURT HOUSE, 

built in 1872, originally consisted of the main 
square building, to which was added, some 
six years later, a wing containing an enlarge- 
ment of several offices in two stories, and a 
vault for the storage of records. In 1884 
four rooms were added to the west end. It 
now contains the quarters of the sheriff, 
assessor, district attorney, clerk and auditor 
and recorder, on the ground floor; and the 
court-room and chambers, jury-room, and the 
offices of the county surveyor and school 
superintendent. The treasurer is quartered 
elsewhere. The building is of brick, stuccoed, 
with fittings rather comfortable, although 
somewhat out of repair and antiquated. At 
the time of the present writing, an addition 
is in progress, to contain the papers of the 
clerk's officeand andthesupervisors. Thecost 
was $20,000. 

THE COUNTY JAIL, 

erected in 1888, is a substantial brick build- 
ing of two stories and a basement, its wood- 
work being of Oregon pine, sugar pine, 
redwood, and white fir, all the materials being 
of the best quality. The cells, locks, etc., are 
of the most modern and complete designs, 
and the jail is a model of this sort of insti- 
tution. It cost $20,000. 

The valuation of Ventura's county property 
as per the rates of the present year, 1890, is 
a? follows: court-house, $20,000; hospital, 
$10,000; jail, $20,000; records, books, im- 



234 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



provements, furnishings, etc., $35,000; total, 
$85,000. 

BANKS. 

The pioneer banking establishment of this 
county is the Bank of Ventura, which was 
founded in September, 1874, with a capital 
of $250,000. Its officers were: L. Snod- 
grass, President; M. Cannon, Vice-Presi- 
dent; H. M. Gay, Cashier and Secretary. 
This bank now has a paid up capital of $100,- 
000; surplus, $50,000. Its present officers 
are: E. P. Foster, President; L. C. McKeeby, 
Vice-President; J. A, Walker, Cashier; A. 
Bernheim, Secretary. 

The bank of William Collins & Sons was 
opened in September, 1887. The following 
is its comparative statement: 

RESOURCES. 

Sept. 1, 1889. Sept. 1, 1890. 

Loans and discounts $172,727.11 $203,076.05 

Bonds 35,500.00 30,000.00 

Warrants 3,192.96 678.50 

Cash 15,762.60 24,815.68 

Due from Banks 9,929.96 73,341.28 

Real Estate, furniture, fix- 
tures 21,000.00 21,000.00 

$257,212.63 $352,911.51 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital stock $100,000.00 $100,000 00 

Surplus and profits 26,719.70 38,116 38 

Deposits 130,140 07 212,708.06 

Due other Banks 352.86 2,087.07 

$257,212.63 $352,911.51 

Reserve fund $38,116.38 

In the city of San Buenaventura there are 
679 census children, of whom 464 are en- 
rolled in the public schools, the average at- 
tendance being ninety-seven per cent, of the 
enrollment. There are some 125 or 130 
children of Spanish blood in attendance. 
There are three departments — primary, gram- 
mar and high schools. The corps comprises 
Professor Black, principal of the city schools, 



and nine other teachers. The school build- 
ings are: the High School-house, which cost 
$30,000; the Poli street building, worth $2,- 
500, and the Meta street building, worth 
$2,000. The High School was established 
in 1889, by the people voting a special tax 
for the purpose, the vote being unanimous 
but for two votes. This department has 
three courses, scientific, literary and class- 
ical, and it prepares pupils for the colleges 
and for the State University. There are 
thirty-three pupils in the High School, of 
whom eight are seniors, who will be graduated 
in 1891. 

CHUKCHES. 

It will readily be seen from the following 
list of the different denominations and their 
churches that Ventura County will rank 
among the first as a church-going people; 
and while the compiler has not been able to 
get the whole number in the county, the fol- 
lowing brief sketches of the principal 
churches of San Buenaventura will be found 
nearly correct: 

Catholic. — There are 1,500 Roman Cath- 
olic parishioners in the district of la Mision, 
and 850 in Ventura, where Father Cipriano 
Bubio is pastor, officiating in the old Mission 
church. This sanctuary has been extensively 
repaired, but with consistency preserving as 
far as might be the ancient characteristics. 
The earthquake of 1857 caused the roof to 
fall in, lodging in the garret, where it was 
held by the vigas (beams). Thereupon the 
present roof of shingles was put in place. 
Twenty years ago new altars and flooring were 
supplied, and about the same time the pews 
were placed. Within the last three years, 
many modifications have been made, but with 
discretion. The sanctuary, being of insufficient 
space, was raised, and extended to the body 
of the church; and a new chancel railing was 
put in. The main altar was built in 1886- 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



235 



'88, and two side-altars in 1889. Since 1885 
there has been a resident priest at New 
Jerusalem, eight miles from Ventura. Pre- 
vious to that. Father John Pnjot had offici- 
ated there at intervals since 1875 or 1876. 

Congregational Church. — The Congrega- 
tional Church was the first Protestant church 
in the county, having been organized in 
1867, at the time the land known as the 
Briggs tract was thrown upon the market 
and opened to settlement, the founding of 
said church being the result of the settle- 
ment of the above mentioned tract of land by 
American citizens. 

There being no Protestant church at that 
time nearer than Santa Barbara, the services 
of Rev. M. B. Starr were secured to act as 
missionary for $1,000, donated by the So- 
ciety of Missions. 

The first members consisted of Revs. Bris- 
tol and Harrison, Eliza A. Shaw, Francis L. 
Saxby, Isabella L. Hobson, Hannah E. Mc- 
Carty, Mary A. Herbert, Matilda P. Barn- 
ard, George Beers, Sarah Beers, Edward B. 
Williams, Elizabeth A. Williams, Amanda 
Baker, Maria A. Wason, Nancy L. Banning, 
Celia A Simpson, Fanny Williams, W. E. 
Barnard and G. S. Gilbert, the two latter 
persons being deacons, and the latter of these 
clerk. 

A simple and inexpensive church, 28 x 40 
feet, costing but a few hundred dollars, was 
soon erected. The Ventura Land Company 
donated the lot on which the church was 
built, and the Rev. Mr. Warren, of San Fran- 
cisco, preached the first sermon in the new 
edifice, the Rev. Mr. Harrison occupying the 
pulpit from October, 1869, until March, 
1870. Rev. W. E. Merritt officiated from 
July 30th of that year until the following 
October. Rev. S. Bristol preached at inter- 
vals until 1875, when Rev. T. C. Jerome, of 
Illinois, was engaged and remained until 



June, 1876; Rev. R. B. Snell from August 
1, 1876, to January 1, 1878; Rev. Charles 

B. Shelden from January, 1878, to . 

Rev. T. D. Murphy began his services here 
October 26, 1884. 

The church building now occupied was 
finished, furnished and dedicated free from 
debt, without missionary help, May 3, 1885. 
It has a seating capacity for 350 persons. 
An annex, 24 x 30 feet, has recently been 
added. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — In 1867 
Rev. R. R. Dunlapwas appointed to the pas- 
torate of Santa Barbara, his charge em- 
bracing the whole county, which at that time 
included the county of Ventura. In 1867 
Rev. P. Y. Coole took charge of the western 
district and Mr. Dnnlap was sent to San 
Buenaventura and Saticoy, and he organ- 
ized the church in San Buenaventura. In 
1870 Rev. George O. Ashe was sent to this 
circuit and became popular at once. He 
held services in the room which afterward 
became the public reading room. Mr. Ashe's 
family responsibilities crowded upon him. 
He worked during all his spare time at the 
printer's case, thus obtaining but a small pit- 
tance, upon which the average Methodist 
minister in all new countries is supposed to 
keep the wolf from the door. In 1871 the 
Rev. B. Holland was sent to the circuit, and, 
like his predecessors, received a very small 
allowance, but conversions followed his labor, 
part of the converts joining the Methodist 
Church and part joining other churches. In 
1872 Rev. G. O. Ashe was returned to the 
circuit for a second time and much good was 
done during his year. Rev. Adam Bland 
officiated in 1873, and was instrumental in 
building the Methodist Church, at a cost of 
$1,700, the lot upon which the same was built 
costing $400, and when the church was com- 
pleted the society found itself in debt $1,000. 



'2?>(i 



VENTURA COT NTT. 



Mr. Eland seems to have been the first pastor 
who received a fair salary, he receiving $200 
from the Missionary Society and $500 from 
the people. 

In 1874 Rev. W. A. Knighten became 
pastor, Ventura being set apart as a station 
with a missionary appropriation of $500. 
After arriving at the place, he and others 
concluded that the house rent was so high 
that it would be better to build a parsonage; 
consequently the lumber was bought, and the 
house was completed in about six days, most 
of the work being donated. During this 
year the Sunday-school was organized and an 
organ purchased for the church. A ladies' 
"Aid Society " was organized and rendered 
efficient financial aid, paying a large portion 
of the church debt, and furnishing the parson- 
age. Mr. Knighten was returned for the 
third time. This year was marked with 
financial prosperity. During the three years 
that Mr. Knighten was pastor, he had the 
pleasure of seeing the membership increase 
from seventeen to seventy-five. 

Rev. F. S. Woodcock was appointed pas- 
tor by the conference of 1877 and remained 
one year. Owing to the severe financial de- 
pression of that year, the church was consid- 
erably crippled, but maintained its spiritual 
power. In September, 1878, the South- 
ern California Conference held its session in 
San Buenaventura. The sittings were at- 
tended by the people generally and greatly 
enjoyed. At this session Rev. E. F. Walker 
was appointed pastor, but he became discour- 
aged and remained only ten months. At the 
next session of the conference the Rev. J. A. 
Van-Anda was appointed, and the work of 
the church proceeded. The Rev. J. H.Peters 
served the church during 1880-'81, and dur- 
ing his pastorate the church enjoyed a good 
degree of prosperity, and reduced its indebt- 
edness. During 1882 Rev. A. N. Fields 



was pastor and had a fair share of success, 
and did good work. Rev. James A. White 
was sent to the charge by the conference of 
1883. Improvements on the church prop- 
erty were immediately commenced. The 
parsonage was removed from behind the 
church to the corner of the lot and enlarged. 
The church edifice was dedicated during the 
year. Mr. AVhite remained three years. 
Rev. J. A. McMillan followed in the fall of 
1886 and had a successful year. During this 
year the church debt was entirely paid off. 
He was returned for another year, but owing 
to ill-health was compelled to abandon his 
work at the end of three months, the pulpit 
being supplied until the end of the confer- 
ence year by various ministers. 

In April, 1888, Rev. W. L. Douglass was 
transferred from the New York East Con- 
ference and placed in charge of the church. 

Presbyterian Church. — Rev. T. E. Taylor, 
a missionary to the Sandwich Islands in 1847, 
and founder, in 1852, of the first church for 
foreigners, having returned and settled in 
Virginia City, Nevada, was petitioned by a 
number of Ventura citizens to organize a 
Presbyterian Church in this place. He an- 
swered at once, and on Sunday, January 31, 
1869, in the school-house just north of town, 
he met the friends of the enterprise. At the 
close of his sermon ten members were en- 
rolled by certificate, who at once elected as 
elders, M. J. Ashmore, E. B. Conklin and B. 
Lehman. The following gentlemen were 
elected trustees: M. J. Ashmore, A. D. 
Barnard, E. B. Conklin, George A. Gilbert 
and S. W. Chaffee. Mr. Taylor was invited 
to remain as their pastor. T. R. Bard gave 
the ground on the northeast corner of Oak 
and Meta streets, 80 x 200 feet, for the 
church building, and by March 27, 1870, the 
present house of worship was finished, paid 
for and dedicated, all in fourteen months 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



237 



from the organization of the soiety. The 
total cost was $2,511.60. Mr. Taylor found 
it necessary to resign shortly after the comple- 
tion of the church. He was followed for short 
terms by Revs. William Campbell and H. H. 
Dobyns, and November 1, 1873, Rev. Mr. 
Taylor was recalled, continuing his pastorate 
to the close of the year 1876. The parson- 
age on Meta street had been built in the 
meantime, entailing a heavy debt upon the 
young and straggling church. 

Tue year 1877 was wholly given to the 
experiment of a '• union " witli the Congre- 
gationalists, the points of which were, that 
for that term both organizations worship to- 
gether in the Presbyterian church, under the 
pastorate, first, of Rev. Mr. Snell, now of 
the Snell Academy, Oakland; second, that 
of Rev. Charles B. Sheldon, of the Anoka 
Cono-recrational Union, Minnesota: but the ec- 
clesiastical, like the domestic step-fathership, 
was not satisfactory to all the parties con- 
cerned. The debt had increased, while death 
and removals had weakened the already feeble 
church. As a result, Sunday, January 6, 
1878, the " union " was, on motion of Mr. 
N. Blackstock, dissolved. No permanent 
supply for the pulpit was secured till July 
1, when Rev. S. T. Wells, of Oakland, amid 
great discouragements, began his pastorate, 
which continued for three years and resulted 
in greatly strengthening the church and free- 
ing the property from encumbrance. 

Mr. Wells resigned the pastorate in July, 
1881, but as " honorably retired " continues, 
with his excellent wife, foremost in every 
good work. His successor, Rev. F. D. Sew- 
ard, of New York, carried forward the work 
with rare energy and faithfulness from Octo- 
ber, 1881, until September 1, 1887, when he 
took the field of Synodical Missionary for 
Southern California; and Rev. James M. 
Crawford, the present pastor, was called to 



the church from Gree iville, Ohio. Under 
iti various leaders the church has steadily 
increased in membership, while the Sunday- 
school and prayer-meetings have shared in 
the prosperity of the congregation. 

The church building, now eighteen years 
old, and by no means attractive in its exte- 
rior, is, inside, not surpassed in the county 
for the cheerfulness and good taste of its fur- 
nishings; and though quite ample for all the 
uses of the church, is being so fully occupied 
as to make it evident that more churchly and 
commodious quarter, is only a question of 
the near future. From a dependent of the 
Presbyterian Board of Home Missions and 
church erection, it has become self-sustain- 
ing, and at ths sam3 time a generous con- 
tributor through th°. nine great agencies of 
that church to the world's evangelization. It 
has steadily fostered the work at Saticoy, and 
been largely instrumental in securing to that 
community a beautiful church buildincr, a 
church orginization and S ibbath-school. 

Besides the officers already alluded to, 
Messrs. T. R. Bard, D. S. Blackburn, George 
W. Chrisman, J. L. Kenney, James R. Boal, 
J. P. Cutter, Frank Dennis, E. A. Edwards, 
A. J. Collins and Rev. S. T. Wells have 
served as trustees. Messrs. E. A. Duvall, J. 
P. Cutter, J. C. Brewster, N. Blackstock, 
George P. Waldon, Hon. William Vandever, 
A. D. Seward, L. W. Hare and Luther Skel. 1 - 
enger have been elders. 

Rev. James Monroe Crawford, pastor of the 
First Presbyterian Church of Ventura, was 
born in Trimble County, Kentucky, August 
12, 1836. His father, John Crawford, of 
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, was of 
Scotch descent, and brought up in the Pres- 
byterian Church; his mother was Clarissa 
Bell, a native of Culpeper Court-house, 
Virginia, who, from childhood, was a devoted 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



238 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



At the time of their marriage they were 
residents of Madison, Indiana, which city 
continued to be the family home, with the 
brief exception of two years spent in Ken- 
tucky, until 1876. The subject of this sketch 
was the oldest son of twelve children; the 
foundation of his edncation was laid in the 
private and public schools of that city. At 
the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to 
learn the pattern-maker's trade, that being 
his father's business. During the three years' 
term of service he had taken a preliminary 
course in theology, aided only by the text 
books and such comments on them as he was 
able to read in the people about him. Ad- 
mitted into the Southeast Indiana Confer- 
ence as an itinerant minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in October, 1856, he en- 
tered fully upon the double work of student 
and pastor. 

On September 14, 1858, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Clarissa L. Golay, the 
daughter of Constant and Louisa Golay, of 
Switzerland County, Indiana, both of whom 
were descendents of prominent Swiss families. 

August, 1862, during the gloomiest period 
of the war, he enlisted a full company of 
volunteers from his congregation in Dearborn 
County, Indiana. On their "muster in" as 
Company H, Eighty-third Indiana Volun- 
teers, he was unanimously elected, and Gov- 
ernor Morton commissioned him, Captain; 
two months later he was appointed Chaplain; 
and during the siege of Yicksburg was com- 
pelled to resign on account of wretched health. 
After five months' rest he resumed his work. 
While closing his term as pastor of Trinity 
Methodist Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 
Indiana, having fallen a victim to insomnia, 
lie gave up active service, spending the next 
six years in a fight for life and health. It was 
at the close of that period, with returning 
health, that he severed his ecclesiastical con- 



nection with the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and united with the Presbytery of Indianap- 
olis. The cause of the change was no griev- 
ance, neither a want of appreciation of 
Methodism, nor disappointment as to his 
private ambitions; but rather a conviction 
that had sprung up early in his ministry and 
strengthened each year that both the teach- 
ings and methods of the Presbyterian Church 
would be more helpful to his Christian expe- 
rience and add largely to his ability to make 
full proof of his ministry. 

Mr. Crawford was called immediately to 
the pastorate of the Sixth Church, Indian- 
apolis, Indiana, and thence to Greenville, 
Ohio, and from the latter church to this, 
September 1, 1887, of which he continues 
pastor at this writing. Of their family of 
eight children, three died in early childhood; 
three are yet with them; two, Edward S. and 
Louisa, are in the East, the former as foreman 
of the pattern department of the Malleable 
Iron Works, Indianapolis, Indiana, and the 
latter, as wife of Rev. Berthold Seeholzer, a 
minister of the North Ohio Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Episcopalian. — During the summer of 
1887, an informal meeting of four or five 
persons interested in the Episcopal Church 
was held at the residence of Judge L. C. Mc- 
Keeby, to consider the propriety of organ- 
izing such a church in San Buenaventura. 
As a final result of the preliminary confer- 
ence, the Rev. A. G. L. Trew, Dean of the 
Diocese, visited Ventura on the 7th of De 
cember, 1887. 

Services of the Episcopal Church were held 
in the house of worship of the Congregation- 
alists, who kindly placed their edifice at the 
service of the Episcopalians for the purpose. 

A mission was organized under the name 
of St. Paul's, and the announcement made 
that the bishop had appointed Rev. F. R. 



VENTUBA COUNTY. 



23!) 



Sanford, of Connecticut, as missionary rector 
thereto. January 15, 1888, the first regular 
service was held in Odd Fellows Hall. 

At this time there were but five communi- 
cants of the church. On Easter Sunday of 
1888 solemn confirmation service was ad- 
ministered to a class of fifteen adults, and the 
church thus strengthened began preparations 
for a church building. 

A most eligible lot on the corner of Oak 
and Santa Clara streets was purchased, and 
the present church edifice was erected, being 
opened for services in December, 1889. 

The church property is valued at not less 
than $8,000, the lot having cost $8,000. 

Rev. W. A. M. Breck, the present incum- 
bent, began his rectorship in May, 1890. 

The membership comprises thirty com- 
munciants, besides the uncomfirmed. 

Since his arrival, Mr. Breck has instituted 
services at the mission stations, .Nordhoff, 
Santa Paula and Hueneme, there being fif- 
teen communicants at the last mentioned 
place, eight at Santa Paula, and six at Nord- 
hoff. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
was organized in Ventura, July 29, 1888, 
under the ministry of Rev. J. W. Allen, 
presiding elder of the San Luis Obispo Dis- 
trict, Los Angeles Conference, and Rev. D. C. 
Browne, pastor of the Trinity Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, Los Angeles. 
There were thirteen charter members, and 
five more were added by the end of the con- 
ference year October 2. 

Rev. D. C. Browne succeeded Rev. J. W. 
Allen as presiding elder of the district, and 
w;is also appointed pastor of the church at 
Ventura. During this year, from October, 
1888, to October, 1889, twenty-five were ad- 
ded to the membership, and the church, led 
by lion. L. M. Lloyd, secured the build- 
ing of a house of wurship, on the corner of 



Main and Kalorama streets. The church 
services this year were held in the Young 
Men's Christian Association Hall. 

On September 30, Bishop R. K. Hargrave, 
with appropriate services, laid the corner 
stone of the new church building. Rev. J. 
M. Neems was appointed to the pastorate by 
Bishop Hargrave,October 6, 1889, and entered 
at once upon his work. The services were 
held in the Hare school building on Main 
street, from October, 1889, to May, 1890. 
May 4, 1890, the church held their first serv- 
ice in their new building, in the Sunday- 
school room, with much rejoicing. And on 
July 27, following, they entered their beauti- 
ful auditorium with grateful hearts to Him 
who had so wondrously led them in this work. 
During the year, from October 6, 1889, to 
September 11, 1890, fifteen were added to the 
membership, and the church building was 
finished and furnished at a cost of $7,000. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 
Ventura, while not strong in either numbers 
or wealth, yet has thus far met all claims 
against it, and looks to the future with hope- 
ful hearts, believing that He whose hand hath 
led them thus far will lead them on. 

Christian Church. — Charles Bradshaw be- 
gan to preach in July, 1870, at Pleasant 
Valley. There were a few members who 
continued to meet occasionally until Decem- 
ber 25, of the same year, when the church was 
organized with fourteen members at Pleasant 
Valley. The following were the charter 
members: Charles Bradshaw and wife, J. S. 
Harkey and wife, Martha "White, Fanny and 
Laurence White, William Cagle, D. W. Gil- 
bert, Mrs. Gilbert, S. Wallbridge, and Amy 
and Ollie Wallbridge and Mrs. Bear. The 
church continued to meet for three years, 
when a land decision occurred adverse to the 
settlers, at the end of which time there were 
about fifty members. 



240 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



As most of them were deprived of their 
homes, they began to scatter until there were 
only a few left, but they continued to meet 
until the summer of 1876, when all had left, 
but three. 

In October, 1876, Elder G. R. Hand came 
to Ventura and engaged to preach for one 
year. The church then reorganized with 
thirty members. Rev. Hand preached until 
May, when he left and went East. The mem- 
bers continued to meet and worship until the 
spring of 1879, at the school-house. From 
1875 to 1883 there were no meetings of the 
church. About July, 1883, Rev. J. S. Har- 
key, who has been elder of the church ever 
since the first organization in the county, 
called the membership together, and they cov- 
enanted to meet and worship together, and 
they have been doing so from that time until 
the present. They are now meeting at Good 
Templars' Hall on Main street. There has 
been added since the organization up to the 
present time by letter, confession and obedi- 
ence, forty-eight members. There are, as near 
as can be ascertained, between fifty and sixty 
members in the county. Elder F. "W. Pattee, 
formerly from Pasadena, is now preaching 
on the first Lord's day in each month. The 
church meets every alternate Sunday for 
social worship in the above named hall, 
and a Sunday-school meets every Sunday 
in the same place, at two o'clock. It has 
about fifty scholars and teachers enrolled, 
with Miss Annie Linn as superintendent. 

A lot has been donated to the church at 
the western end of the town, and the congre- 
gation hope soon to erect a suitable house of 
worship upon it. 

T. M. G. A.— The Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association of San Buenaventura was 
organized in September, 1887, with sixteen 
charter members. It has now a member- 
ship of sixty-four. The president is J. S. 



Collins; vice-president, Dr. C. F. Miller; 
treasurer, J. C. Brewster; and general secre- 
tary, Moore Hesketh. The rooms are in 
Collins' Block, Main Street, and are comfort- 
ably furnished, being open daily, Sunday ex- 
cepted, from 8:30 a. m. to 10 p. m. The as- 
sociation is liberally supported by the Chris- 
tian and business people of the town. It 
has already a building fund, and is now 
endeavoring to secure a suitable lot on which 
to erect a permanent home. During the nine 
months of its existence it has helped a num- 
ber of young men to better and purer lives, 
and is now exerting a silent influence for 
good in the community. 

THE PKESS. 

As has been seen, the Signal was estab- 
lished in 1871, by John H. Bradley, who in 
1873 retired from its management, on account 
of ill-health, being succeeded by Messrs. W. 
E. Shepherd and John J. Sheridan. 

In November, 1875, was first issued the 
Free Press. Its editor was O. P. Hardy, 
and its politics nominally independent. The 
two papers fell into a hot controversy, in 
which was displayed much personal acrimony. 

In November, 1883, the Democrat was 
founded by the Democrat Publishing Com- 
pany, and subsequently purchased by John 
McGonigle, its editor from the beginning. 

The Vidette was founded in May, 1888, 
by F. E. Smith, and an interest in it was sub- 
sequently purchased by Dr. Stephen Bowers. 

The newspapers at present in the city of 
Ventura are: The Free Press, daily and 
weekly (publishers, Leonard & Sykes); the 
Democrat, weekly; the Republican, weekly. 

In other towns of the county are published 
the following: The Chronicle, Santa Paula; 
the Herald, Hueneme; the Recurrent, Nord- 
hoff. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



241 



Of 

FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS 

Ventura has the usual number. The Masons 
own a handsome hall. 

THE BENCH AND BAR. 

As the judiciary of Santa Barbara for 
many years included that of Ventura, the 
names of the earlier Bar members in the 
older county comprehend those of the 
younger. As to those of later date, a report 
on this subject has been promised the editor 
by B. T. Williams, Esq., Superior Judge of 
Ventura County, but, as it has not yet been 
received, the present writing must go to press 
withont treating of this subject. 

RESOURCES. 

Chief among the resources of Ventura 
County is 

AGRICULTURE. 

Erom the time of its first settlement by 
the Mission fathers, over 100 years ago, Ven- 
tura County has been more or less given over 
to agriculture; but her grand capabilities in 
this line are only beginning to be under- 
stood. 

When he came to Ventura County the 
man whose ideas of farming were formed 
amid the summer rains and the corn-fields 
of the Mississippi had to learn over again 
how to farm, and, now that he has learned 
the lesson, is growing rich on the land which 
at one time was deemed comparatively worth- 
less. 

A mistaken idea has prevailed to some ex- 
tent among people in the East that farming 
is only carried on in Southern California by 
means of irrigation, aud that without it crops 
would be a failure. Irrigation is not used at 
all in Ventura County, except for alfalfa, and 
for all small grains and winter crops it is not 
used in other countries. They are cultivated 



just as they are in the Mississippi Valley or 
the Atlantic States, and need only the regular 
rains of the winter and spring, or wet season, 
.to mature them. Corn, a summer crop, is 
irrigated in some counties, but never here, as 
the natural moisture of the soil is sufficient 
to mature the crop. In some sections, after 
a winter-sown crop, raised without irrigation, 
has been harvested, another crop is raised 
when the rains are over by means of irriga- 
tion, and thus the land does double duty. In 
Ventura County, however, as our farmers do 
not desire to get rich in a day, corn is planted 
after the winter rains are over, and but one 
crop a year is raised and that without irri- 
gation. 

In many places land will be seen which is 
never free from a growing crop from year to 
year, except during the few days when plow- 
ing for the new planting. In counties where 
irrigation is used, where water from the river 
is used, the sediment held in suspension con- 
stantly renews the fertility of the soil over 
which it is spread. 

Southern California throughout is a won- 
derfully rich farming section, and Ven ura 
County is richer than any. She raises enough 
for her own consumption and exports more 
than any other county in the south. Her 
markets are at her very door. Lying between 
Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, neither of 
which raises enough for home consumption, 
the question of disposing of her products is a 
simple one. Many things, especially beans 
and fruit, are shipped to the East, although 
the bulk of exports goes by steamer to San 
Erancisco. But the supply is never half 
equal to the demand, which makes Ventura 
a splendid field for the industrious farmer. 
It is a better field than any other in Southern 
California, if for no other reason than that it 
is the only county where irrigation is not 
needed and not used. The number of acres 



242 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



under cultivation in this county is estimated 
at 100,000 this year. 

Anything that grows in Ventura county — 
and anything will grow — yields a good profit 
to the tiller. But of course there are some 
things much more profitable than others. 
Heretofore barley has chiefly occupied the 
attention of the farmer, with satisfactory 
results; but year by year the tendency is to 
forsake barley and go over to 

THE BEAN. 

Before all others Ventura is pre-eminently 
a bean county. This is conceded on all sides, 
and one of the facts that has not been denied 
in other counties. The cultivation of the 
bean dates back to the earliest settlement of 
the county; and bean culture has always 
been successful. The season of 1864-'65 was 
the dryest and most unpropitious ever known 
here, and even then a large quantity of beans 
were exported. About the year 1875, Mr. 
Crane began cultivation of the Lima bean in 
the valley, and it is now thought to be the 
most valuable bean produced in the county. 
The Lima bean is a very prolific product. 
More than a ton is often raised on an acre of 
ground, while twenty-three hundred pounds of 
the White Navy beans are frequently raised on 
one aCre. Lima beans have often brought as 
high as 5 and 6 cents a pound, returning to 
the producer the handsome figure of $100 per 
acre, but $50 is probably a fair average. 

This year Limas will bring 2^ cents a pound. 
Estimating 1,800 pounds to the acre, at 2-J 
cents, the yield in money per acre will be 
$44 and the profit about $32 or $33. Bean 
raising costs about $7.50 per acre. This 
estimate includes everything — cost of seed, 
planting, cultivating, cutting and harvesting. 
And it is a liberal estimate. 

Beans are planted with a bean planter, a 
simple machine. Two, three, and sometimes 



four rows are planted at a time. Cultivation 
after they are planted consists simply in keep- 
ing the field clear of weeds. They are planted 
in May, after the winter rains are surely 
over, never irrigated, cultivated once or twice 
after planting, and then nothing more is done 
until they are ready to cut, which is generally 
in August or September. At first beans were 
pulled by hand, but by degrees improvements 
on this slow method were invented, until now 
the harvesting of the bean is a very inexpen- 
sive, rapid and simple process; and herein lies 
much of the profit. They are cut with a 
bean cutter, also a very simple machine. It 
is a V-shaped knife, the blades of which are 
five or six feet long and are attached on 
either side of a wooden sled about eight feet 
long, one foot wide and one deep. Three 
horses are attached to the cutter, which is 
guided between the rows by one man. This 
way beans can be cut at an expense of about 
50 cents an acre, and one man and three 
horses will cut fifteen acres a day. Lima beans 
are planted in rows three feet apart and 
drilled. Small white beans are planted thirty 
inches apart and drilled. The latter are cut 
earlier than the Limas. After the beans — 
of any variety — are cut, they remain in piles 
in the field for about four weeks to dry, when 
they are taken to the machine and threshed 
at an expense of about 15 cents per 100 
pounds. Seven dollars and a half will easily 
cover the cost of seed, planting, cultivating, 
cutting and harvesting an acre of beans. The 
demand for beans is always good. Limas 
bring from 2^ to 3 cents a pound, the small 
whites from 2 to 2^ cents. Farmers in Ven- 
tura have often cleared $50 an acre on a crop 
of Lima beans, and never less than $30. So 
it will be seen that bean land is not shock- 
ingly dear at even $200 an acre. Land that 
will pay fifteen per cent, on money invested 
is not exorbitantly high: it is reasonably 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



243 



cheap. But there is plenty of land suitable 
for bean culture that can be had for $150, 
some at $100, $75, $60, $50— according to 
location and facilities for shipping. The high- 
est priced lands in the poorest season will pay 
fifteen per cent, on money invested. The Santa 
Clara Valley has heretofore been considered 
the home of the bean. Before this season 
fanners who were not fortunate enough to 
own land in this favored section were afraid 
to embark in anything but grain, but this 
year some tillers of Las Posas soil were bold 
enough to pioneer bean planting, and crops 
resulting from their experiments demonstrate 
the fact that beans can be successfully grown in 
other sections besides the Santa Clara Valley. 
Rice & Bell on the Las Posas have as fine a 
crop of beans as can be found in the county 
— a crop that will certainly average a ton to 
the acre. Beans have also been raised this 
year on the Ojai, the Conejo, and a few in 
the Simi. Unquestionably the soil and 
climate of the Santa Clara valley is more 
suited to the cultivation of the bean than any 
one of these latter valleys, which are mostly 
given over to grain-growing. In the Santa 
Clara Valley farmers often raise 2,000 to 3,000 
sacks of beans a year. A sack of Lima beans 
contains about sixty pounds, and about 
seventy pounds of small whites. 

In the Las Posas Valley, good bean land — 
land that will raise as good beans and as heavy 
crops as grow anywhere in the county — can 
be had at $60 an acre. 

First-class bean land can be bought and 
paid for with two years' crops. No bean land 
can be bought in the Santa Clara Valley — the 
alleged home of the bean — for less than $100 
an acre, and most of it runs from $150 to 
$200. The latter price would seem enor- 
mously high to the Eastern farmer un- 
acquainted with the profits of bean raising. 

A California bean field often embraces 



hundreds of acres, all in sight from a given 
point. The vines run along the ground and 
not on poles as in the Eastern States. 

Next to fruit growing, bean raising is 
undoubtedly the most profitable industry in 
the farming line in Ventura county; and it 
is more profitable than some kinds of fruit 
growing. 

OTHER PRODUCTS. 

No spot in California can excel the Santa 
Clara Valley in the production of corn. It 
grows without irrigation and has reached as 
high as 72 centals or 120 bushels to the acre. 
It is planted in April or May after the rains 
are over, and frequently nothing more is re- 
quired till it is ready for gathering in autumn. 
Should it rain after the ground is planted 
the farmer frequently finds it advantageous 
to plow it up and plant it a second time; other- 
wise cultivation will be necessary to overcome 
the weeds. After the corn is gathered and 
husked it may be thrown into open pens and 
left uncovered for a year or more, if not 
sooner shelled or fed to stock. Everything 
in connection with corn-raising except the 
gathering is performed by machinery. Until 
lately corn was raised extensively here and 
fed to hogs, but now, notwithstanding the 
heavy yield per acre, the ground is generally 
considered more profitable for some other 
kinds of crops. Ventura is the only county 
in Southern California where corn is raised 
without irrigation. 

Barley is the chief cereal crop of Ventura 
County. Its yield is large in the Santa Clara 
and other valleys. On the west side of the 
river it has reached 52 centals, or 101 bushels, 
to the acre. There is always a demand for 
barley, and there is so much land in the county 
exactly suited for its production that it is 
likely to continue one of its staple products. 
It may bo sown alter the autumn rains or 
early in the spring. Cut green it is used for 



244 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



hay, and is highly relished by stock. Year 
in and year out the profits from barley- 
raising will average from $15 to $20 per 
acre. The Simi Yalley yields larger crops 
than any other portion of the county. 

WHeat is an important crop in Southern 
California, but is not as extensively grown in 
Ventura County as barley. The Ojai Yalley, 
Simi and Conejo plateaus are better adapted 
to wheat than the land immediately on the 
coast, as they are less subject to fogs which 
occur in some seasons of the year. Wheat- 
raising in California is another and different 
thins: from what it is in the East. After it 
ripens it may be left standing for weeks with 
impunity, the husk closing around the grain 
and holding it intact. When the farmer is 
ready he enters the field with headers and a 
thresher and cuts, threshes and sacks the 
grain the same day. The sacks are put in 
large piles and left in the field uncovered for 
weeks, or even for months, until he is ready 
to haul them to market. The wheat of Cali- 
fornia has a world-wide reputation. The 
State ships on an average some 15,000,000 
bushels annually. 

Alfalfa, or lucerne, which is being exten- 
sively grown in Yentura County, is known 
botanically as Medicago sativa. It has been 
grown in Greece for about 3,000 years as a 
forage plant and for hay. The Romans es- 
teemed it very highly, and Columella wrote 
that it yielded four to six crops a year. In 
France it is known as lucerne and in Spain as 
alfalfa. It came from Spain to South 
America, and thence by way of Mexico to 
California. It is grown extensively in South- 
ern Europe. It is a most successful crop in 
this county, but in most places needs irri- 
gation. From six to eight cuttings are har- 
vested in a year. It yields from two to three 
tons to the cutting, and readily nets from 
to $75 to the acre. It is fed to cows, 



horses, hogs and poultry, all of which thrive 
upon it. 

While oats are not extensively raised here, 
yet they grow to perfection and make excel- 
lent feed. In some portions of the county 
oats grow wild, coveriug foot-hills and sides 
of mountains, and they are prized by stock- 
men for all kinds of stock, including sheep. 

In this connection should be mentioned 
bur clover, which covers the mountains, foot- 
hills and valleys in winter with a carpet of 
green. It bears a bur which contains small 
seeds, which are highly relished by cattle, 
horses, sheep, goats, hogs, and upon which 
they thrive. About the first of June it dies 
and drops the burs containing the seed, some- 
times covering the ground to the depth of an 
inch or more, and remains good until the 
November rains. When the country was new 
no provision was made to feed stock any sea- 
son of the year. They were sustained during 
the winter and spring months by the abund- 
ance of grass which grows luxuriantly in the 
valleys and on the mountains, and during the 
summer and autumn lived on bur clover. 

Yegetable -raising has been largely rele- 
gated to the Chinese, who pay as high as $25 
an acre rent for land. Of late, however, white 
men are turning their attention to this im- 
portant industry in Southern California. Of 
late, white men have begun to see that there 
are possibilities for profit in the humble cab- 
bage, cauliflower, tomato and potato, not ex- 
ceeded even by the noble orange. Train-loads 
of vegetables are now sent East from South- 
ern California every winter, although not by 
any means so many as should be sent. These 
vegetables arrive East when everything is 
frozen, and fetch very high prices. The in 
dustry is growing rapidly, and offers excel 
lent opportunities to men of moderate means, 
as it is not necessary to wait several years for 
a return. A thrifty man can support a family 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



245 



in this manner from the product of five acres, 
or even less. 

Potatoes yield two crops a year and bring 
as much as $200 an acre. At present there is 
not enough raised in the county, and, with 
the demand East, ought to develop into a great 
industry in the rich vallejs of Ventura 
County. Sweet potatoes yield immense crops 
and always command a good price. 

Tomatoes ripen nearly all the year round, 
the same vines bearing for years in the more 
sheltered spots. Asparagus, onions, beans 
of all kinds, peas, cabbage and cauliflower, 
squashes, melons, pumpkins, and in short, 
nearly or quite every vegetable known to the 
northern or semi-tropic climes grow here to 
perfection. 

Fruit culture in Ventura County is yet in 
its infancy, but it is growing rapidly. There 
are a few spots on earth so favored by nature, 
and none where the horticulturist receives 
larger profits for his labor. The possibilities 
of horticulture in this county seem almost 
without limit. Year by year the area de- 
voted to it is being enlarged, and as the county 
is settled up orchards and vineyards increase 
and multiply. The profits are much greater 
than from ^rain-growing, while the labor is 
much lighter and pleasanter. It requires no 
extraordinary stretch of the imagination to 
see the county in a few years transformed 
into one vast orchard and vineyard; to see 
the large farms now in grain subdivided into 
small tracts, with a happy home in each sur- 
rounded by fruits and flowers The great 
Si mi, the Las Posas, all the great ranchos 
now supposed to be good for little but grain, 
will one day be an unbroken line of orchards. 
The growth of some of the most populous 
and wealthy countries of the old world lias 
been based upon horticulture and viticulture. 
The chief income of the Mediterranean 
countries, occupying a similar latitude to 



Southern California — Asia Minor, Greece, 
the Ionian Islands, Italy, Southern France, 
Spain and Portugal — is derived from their 
export of oranges, lemons, figs, olives, olive 
oil, dates, raisins, dried prunes, chestnuts, 
preserved fruits, wines and brandies. The 
United States imports annually $15,000,000 
to $20,000,000 of fruits and nuts, all of which, 
in quantity to supply the United States, 
may be grown within the limits of Ventura 
County, and, in addition thereto, all the wine 
and brandy which is consumed in this 
country, with a large surplus for export. 
Horticulture, therefor, furnishes a pretty 
solid basis for a large population in this 
county, apart from its other numerous re- 
sources. 

Fruits are at home in Southern California, 
and particularly in Ventura County. They 
seem at once to take kindly to its soil and 
climate, no matter whence they are brought. 
In the early days — during the '50s— there 
were only a few inferior varieties of grapes 
and oranges grown in Southern California. 
The Mission grape was about the only variety 
grown in California at that time. There 
were a few old orange trees in Los Angeles 
County, arouud the missions, introduced by 
the Catholic fathers a century ago. The suc- 
cess of these led to others being planted in 
other sections, and so the orange industry has 
increased until the present day. There are 
seedling pear trees at the missions a hundred 
years old. The first grafted fruit trees were 
brought to California in 1851,1852 and 1853. 
Fruit trees at that time were a dollar apiece, 
and the fruits were sold at enormously high 
prices — from $1 to $2 per pound. As time 
passed, more fruit trees were planted, nnrs 
eries established, and the price of fruit and 
trees diminished, and before railroads reached 
our coast the price of fruit was not remunera- 
tive, orchardists lost their interest in fruit. 



246 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



raising, and it was some years before fruit 
was shipped East with, profit. 

The olive is said to be the most valuable 
tree known to man. This is undoubtedly 
true in Ventura County as elsewhere. It will 
grow in almost any kind of soil, although it 
is a mistake to imagine that it prefers soil 
nearly destitute of life-giving qualities. The 
olive will grow on the hill side, among rocks, 
and flourish where other trees would die. 
But that is no reason the olive prefers that 
kind of soil. It will do better in rich soil, 
which is natural. But the -cheap lands of 
Ventura County — the hillsides now covered 
with chapparal — will undoubtedly be most 
used in the cultivation of the olive, for these 
lands would not be suitable for other trees. 
Such land can be procured at from $10 to 
$30 an acre. 

The profits from olive-growing are enor- 
mous. Olive trees are planted twenty feet 
apart, or 108 to the acre. The olive grows 
from cuttings, which can be had at from five 
to ten cents each. At present the cost of 
setting out an olive orchard in Ventura 
County, including cost of land, trees and 
planting, would scarcely exceed $35 an acre. 
This is a reasonable estimate and may be too 
high. The olive bears at six or seven years 
from the cutting. 

At seven years an olive tree will bear 
about 120 pounds to the tree. About twelve 
pounds will make one large bottle of oil, 
which will sell readily at from $1.50 to $2 a 
bottle. Mr. Cooper originally sold his at $1 
per bottle, but the demand was so great that 
be was compelled to raise the price to $2. 
Twelve pounds to the bottle would be ten 
bottles to the tree, or in round numbers 1,000 
to the acre. At $1.50 per bottle this would 
be $1,500 income from an acre of seven-year- 
old trees. Say that in curing the olive and 
making the oil and keeping the trees clean, 



two-thirds — an over estimate — of this sum is 
expended, we have left as profit the enormous 
sum of $500 an acre. These are astonish- 
ing figures, but when one reflects on the 
demand for and price of olive oil they will 
not seem without the bounds of reason. As 
the olive has off years in bearing, divide this 
estimated profit of $500 by two, and yon still 
have a yearly profit per acre of $250 from an 
olive orchard. Ten acres would be enough, 
it has been often said, and such is the fact. 
Truly the olive is the most valuable tree 
known to man. The above estimates are 
based on the average yield of the orchard of 
the pioneer olive-grower of the State. 

At present there are but two varieties of 
the olive most largely grown, that is, the 
Mission and Picholine-. Both have advan- 
tages. The Mission will perhaps grow on a 
drier and poorer soil than the Picholine. The 
planting of the Mission is much advocated 
by many, because the fruit is a large berry 
and the tree a rapid grower. 

The walnut prefers a moist rich soil, and is 
at home in Ventura County. The older 
variety of the trees are very slow in coming 
into bearing, requiring about ten years or 
more, and this fact has discouraged many an 
orchardist from setting out this valuable fruit ; 
but there is a variety of soft shell walnut that 
requires but six years in which to bear, and 
once bearing it keeps on increasing (as is the 
case with all kinds of walnuts) its crop for 
fifty years or more. Sometimes these soft- 
shell walnut trees bear in five years — four 
years from the nursery — and this year there 
are some five-year-old trees in the county — 
notably at the Rice & Bell place on the Las 
Posas — that are loaded with nuts. This is an 
exception, however, the tree not usually bear- 
ing short of six years. 

The walnut groves' of Ventura County will 
and do net their owners an average of $100 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



247 



per acre year in and year out, and there are 
some groves of old trees that net yearly twice 
that sum. No crop is more easily gathered 
than the walnut, and it is ready to he gath- 
ered after all other crops are in. The best 
thing about the walnut is that it is not 
perishable, and the owner of a grove is never 
forced to sell his crop at a loss or small profit 
to keep it from spoiling on his hands. Then 
another thing is that the area in which the 
walnut will thrive is so small that there can 
never be any danger of an overstocked market. 

Walnut lands in Ventura County sell for 
from $100 to $400 an acre, according to loca- 
tion, and any of it, after an orchard has been 
in bearing a couple or three years, will pay 
ten per cent, interest on $1,000 an acre. 

There is abundant acreage in Ventura 
County adapted to culture of the almond, but 
as yet little has been done in this direction. 
Mr. Joseph Hobart some fifteen years ago 
put out 300 almond trees in the Upper Ojai 
Valley, and lie is almost the only grower of 
this article. So satisfactory does he find the 
enterprise that he is planting out a large 
number of these trees, which he regards, each 
for each, as more profitable than apricots, 
prunes, or peaches. Some of the pleasant 
features of this business are as follows: its 
successful treatment requires neither great 
haste nor a large crew of workers; the gather- 
ing of the crop comes in cold weather, and 
wet days can be utilized for hulling; the care 
of the orchard is less than with other fruit 
trees, and the cost of handling a crop of 
almonds is only about twenty-five percent, of 
what it costs to handle apricots, peaches, etc. 

Probably all kinds of apples that can be 
grown in any country are grown here. They 
are of very superior quality and there is no 
place in the United States where they keep 
better than in this climate. The dried ap- 
ples sent from this county have commanded 



double the price of ordinary dried fruit. 
Pears of superior quality are raised here and 
are found profitable both for drying and can- 
ning purposes. 

The soil of this section seems to be ex- 
actly suited to the apricot. Here it finds its 
special adaptation, yielding immense quanti- 
ties of fruit of large size and excellent flavor. 
This is a very profitable industry and is be- 
coming a source of immense revenue to the 
county. As the district of country in which 
they can grow to such perfection is limited, it 
is not likely the business will be overdone, but 
there will be an increasing demand for this 
tine fruit year after year. So far the apricot 
has had no natural enemy. Neither insect 
nor disease of any kind has ever attacked it 
in this region. As instances of the profit 
derived from this fruit we may cite the fol- 
lowing: A farmer sold the fruit of a nine- 
acre orchard of four-year-old trees for $1,000, 
the purchaser gathering the fruit, from 
which he also derived a handsome profit, 
having obtained it for about one cent per 
pound. The fruit in another orchard of five- 
year-old trees sold for $200 per aero, the pur- 
chaser in this instance also realizing a hand- 
some profit by drying the fruit. In another 
orchard three years old, the owner gathered 
fifty pounds to a tree, which more than paid 
for the trees and their cultivation up to that 
time. A gentleman planted seventy-five 
acres of apricot trees on land which ost 
$25 per acre; he raised two crops of beans 
between the trees, which more than paid the 
cost of cultivation of his orchard, and the 
third year sold it for $150 per acre. This is 
not a solitary instanc3, for there are scores of 
individuals in this county who are quadru- 
pling the value of their land in a similar 
manner. 

One of the largest orange and lemon 
orchards in the county is near Santa Paula 



248 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



The orange trees of this orchard of nearly 
100 acres are hearing and doing well. The 
lemons have been more thoroughly tested 
and are superior to most others grown in the 
State. The soil is very deep, a rich, well 
drained alluvial or sedimentary deposit, and 
is pronounced by Prof. E. W". Hilgard su- 
perior to any of his acquaintance for " easy 
cultivation and power to raise moisture 
■jointly.'" The lemons grown thus near the 
coast are not superior to those further inland. 
At the citrus fair held at Riverside in 1883, 
a committee was appointed to make thorough 
scientific tests for the purpose of comparison 
of lemons grown in California with imported 
lemons. The analysis embraced, first, ap- 
pearance, including size and quality of rind; 
second, bitterness; third, percentage of acidity. 
The committee compared the California lemon 
with those freshly imported from Messina, 
Malaga and Palermo, and reported as follows: 
" From a careful analysis of the foregoing it 
will seem that the California budded lemon 
properly grown and handled is the equal in 
every respect of the imported lemon." The 
committee further says: " It is noticed in the 
examination that the lemon of Santa Barbara, 
Ventura, Los Angeles, Anaheim and San 
Diego are nearly globular in form, and all 
havino- a smooth, morocco-like texture of the 
rind, while those of the same varieties found 
in San Gabriel and Pasadena are now elon- 
gated in form and not as smooth, and those 
of Riverside and vicinity are still more elon- 
gated and rougher in rind. It is noticeable 
that the smoothness and thinness of rind in- 
dicates greater quantity of juice." This testi- 
mony from a Riverside committee carries great 
weight as to Ventura's ability to successfully 
grow lemons, which branch of the citrus cul- 
ture it is believed will be most profitable in 
the future. 

The growing of oranges and lemons has 



been successfully tested at the Camulos, 
Sespe, Ojai, Matilija and other portions of 
the county. There are also thousands of 
acres on the Simi, Las Posas and other por- 
tions of the county that will doubtless pro- 
duce oranges, lemons and limes of good 
quality. This industry is yet in its infancy 
in Ventura County, while its possibilities are 
beyond computation. 

Farmers and fruit growers have not turned 
their attention largely to grape culture, but 
as far as tried they do remarkably well. 
Raisin grapes are grown successfully and 
produce the finest raisins in the land. This 
is especially true at Sespe and Ojai valleys. 
At the Camulos, in the northern part of the 
county, a fine quality of wine has been suc- 
cessfully manufactured for years. The county 
contains thousands of acres of land not yet 
brought under cultivation, where every va- 
riety of grape known on the coast can be 
successfully and profitably grown. For size 
and flavor the grapes grown in this county 
will compare favorably with the best. A 
few miles from Ventura is one of the largest 
grape-vines in the world. 

Prunes do well and yield profitable crops. 
The French prune grows to great perfection, 
yielding largely, and promises to become one 
of the paying industries of the future. 
Peaches of all varieties do exceedingly well 
in this county. They seldom or never fail; 
and this may be said of nearly all kinds of 
fruits grown here. Some years the yield is not 
as great as others, but is never a total failure. 

In addition to the fruits mentioned above, 
the following also do very well in Ventura's soil : 
Limes, guavas, loquats, currants, pears (which 
bear enormously), cherries, plums, figs of all 
kinds at all seasons, pomegranates, quinces, 
nectarines, persimmons (Japan), strawberries 
(ripe the year round), raspberries and black- 
berries. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



1MU 



THIS YEAR S EXPORTS. 

The barley product of Ventura County for 
this year is about 120,000 sacks, the arveage 
yield being about 350,000 sacks; the low pro- 
duct this year is due to last year's unusually 
wet winter. Of wheat there were about 
20,000 sacks, which is a fair average, com- 
paratively little land being sown to wheat. 
Of hay are raised about 2,500 tons annually. 
This year hay is more abundant than usual in 
this county. Of corn about 150,000 will be 
this year's harvest, the average yield in- 
creasing from year to year, as barley-raising 
is abandoned for the culture of corn and beans. 
Of beans — that great Yen tura staple — 18,200 
acres were this year sown to Lima beans, 
yielding about 1,000 pounds to the acre, this 
being somewhat below the average of 1,500 
pounds to the acre. About 2,500 acres were 
put to other varieties of beans, yielding about 
1,500 pounds to the acre. The ap-icot and 
walnut yield was very large also, about 300 
car loads of green apricots having been 
shipped to Newhall alone, for the purpose of 
sun -drying. 

The shipment from this county of fresh 
apricots, delivered at the railway stations at 
$20 per ton, amounted to about $100,000 last 
season. 

So abundant was the crop that one grower, 
Mr. A. D. Barnard, of the Canada Larga 
Rancho, invited through the newspapers all 
parties who would, to take away from his 
orchard all of this fruit that they would haul, 
without money or price. Of walnuts twelve 
to fifteen car-loads, or 240,000 pounds, will 
have been shipped this year. There are about 
200 acres of walnut trees bearing, and 350 
acres not yet bearing, in this county. 

Of oranges and lemons, the total value will 
probably approach $40,000. Olives will not 
reach a large figure, outside of the Camulos 
Rancho. Peanuts enter into the exports, as 

16 



many as 500 sacks, or 25,000 pounds, having 
gone out; potatoes amount to about 200 car- 
loads; a variety of promiscuous products also 
are exported, including hogs, of which a large 
number are raised, sometimes as many as 
10,000 a year. The yield for this year is not 
determinable. 

STOCK RAISING. 

This industry has been carried on in Ven- 
tura somewhat extensively for many yeai's. 
When under Mexican rule it consisted solely 
of cattle and horses, but when the Americans 
took possession they made sheep- raising a 
specialty. Under their supervision the county 
has supported as many as 250,000 head at 
one time. At the present time there is some- 
what over 75,000 head in the county. Re- 
cently imported draft and other horses have 
been introduced, the assessment roll indicat- 
ing several thousand American horses, some 
3,000 of which are graded. Percheron, 
Hambletonian, Belgian, Morgan and other 
breeds have been imported. Among cattle 
there have been imported Durham, Short- 
horn, Jersey and Holstein breeds, making the 
grade of cattle the very best. The county is 
far in advance of many others in the best 
breed of horses and cattle, farmers having- 
reached the conclusion that good stock can be 
as easily raised as the poorer varieties and to 
much greater profit. The raising of hogs is 
also engaged in extensively and profitably. 
Diseases among stock are unknown here, 
except scab in sheep, which has not proved 
destructive. 

A gentleman of Santa Paula imported 
twenty-one head of Holstein cows four years 
ago and has already sold $11,000 worth from 
their increase, while keeping up the original 
number. This is a fair sample of what is 
being done in this and other portions of the 
county in improved stock of nearly every 
kind. 



250 



VEN1V11A COUNTY. 



The resources and capabilities of Ventura 
County in this regard may be best judged by 
the following resume of the fine stock ran- 
chos in this county: Three miles from Hue- 
neme on the road to Ventura, and about half 
way between the former place and Montalvo, 
the first station on the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road east of Ventura, is the splendid stock 
ranch of Mr. J, G. Hill, one of the representa- 
tive and wealthy men of Ventura County. 

The property embraces 630 acres of the 
La Colon ia ranch, and is as desirably, located 
and composed as as good soil as any part of 
the 45,000 acres of this magnificent property. 
The whole ranch is very nearly a mile square, 
and is fenced and cross-fenced into suitable 
fields for tillage, grain or grazing. 

The owner of this valuable place is doing 
much toward the improvement of horses in 
this section. Several years ago J. C. Simp- 
son, of Oakland, brought to California from 
Chicago the beautiful dapple-gray stallion, 
A. W. Richmond, which he sold to a Mr. 
Patrick, the latter to H. Johnson, he to Hill 
& Greis, and finally Mr. Greis sold his in- 
terest to Mr. Hill, the horse dying on the 
latter's hands last November, at the age of 
twenty-seven years. This horse was said to 
be one of the finest, if not the best, carriage 
or driving horses on the continent. He was 
the sire of Joe Romaro, record 2:19-^; Arrow, 
record 2:13^; Columbine — the dam of Anteo 
and Anterolo, the only mare in the world that 
has produced two sons to beat 2:20; Rose- 
wall, who has just made himself a record, 
taking six straight races, against stock im- 
ported to beat him; and a host of the finest 
driving stock on this coast. Being owned by 
Mr. Hill and Hill & Greis for some five or 
six years, his colts have become numerous, 
and are considered the best stock in the 
county. Most of the colts strongly resemble 
he sire, being showy and of a gentle dis- 



position. Some of his progeny develop great 
speed, but more of them become intelligent, 
attractive family carriage horses, and are 
owned and prized by many of the best families 
in this part of the State. 

Chief among the valuable horses Mr. Hill 
has at the present time is Ulster Wilkes, a 
two-year-old stallion by Guy Wilkes, record 
2:15^, dam by Ulster Chief by Hambletonian 
No. 10, second dam by May Queen, record 
2:24. This is considered one of the finest- 
bred colts in America. He is very hand-. 
some and will, without doubt, make an extra 
fine horse. Fayette King, a dark brown stal- 
lion, three years old, by The King, son of 
George Wilkes, first dam by Beecher, second 
dam by imported Consternation, full thorough- 
bred. This is a fine horse. Sterlingwood, 
another chestnut stallion, three years old, by 
Sterling, first dam by Nutwood, second dam 
by John Nelson. This is also a valuable 
animal. 

Another beautiful black two-year-old stal- 
lion, Steve White, by A. W. Richmond, first 
dam by Ben Wade (thoroughbred), second 
dam by Traveler, third dam by Sou of John 
Morgan, fourth dam by Tiger Whip, is one 
of the prettiest colts in the county. 

Aside from the above list Mr . Hill has 
other fine stallions and some splendid mares 
by Joe Daniels, Ben Wade, Wild Idler, Cor- 
bitt and other horses of high record, in all 
about 120, the majority of which are un- 
usually fine animals. He has a three-quar- 
ters of a mile tiack on the ranch, and keeps a 
man who thoroughly understands the business 
to train his stock. Aside from one or two 
running horses, one of which is Dottie Dimple, 
record 48£, half mile, this breeder gives his 
attention almost exclusively to carriage and 
trotting horses, and has certainly done Ven- 
tura County much good in introducing a class 
that would do credit to the blue-grass region 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



251 



of Kentncky or any other section of America 
or the world. 

This rancho is supplied with every neces- 
sary appliance, commodious buildings, well 
watered and fenced, and is one of the best for 
stock-raisincr on the Pacilic coast. Aside 
from his stock of horses, Mr. Hill keeps some 
400 hogs, and raises large quantities of corn, 
hay and barley. 

About a mile from the above rancho is 
that of J. D. Patterson, of Geneva, New 
York, covering 6,000 acres. This was also 
a part of the La Colonia property, and is 
probably the largest horse rancho on the 
south side of the Santa Clara River. The 
whole of this, however, is not devoted to 
stock, 1,000 acres or more being planted to 
barley, the product of which was 27,000 
sacks last year. This farm keeps 500 head 
of horses, mostly of the French draft species. 
Of this number 150 are brood mares. 

Mr. Patterson is the owner of the cele- 
brated Montebello, a pure Boulornais stallion 
a beautiful mahogany bay, foaled at Jabeka, 
Belgium, in 1875, and imported into this 
country in August, 1876. His weight is 
1,800 pounds. He has taken first premiums 
wherever exhibited, as well he might, for a 
finer horse of its kind would be hard to find. 

Another noble stallion of this ranch is 
Black Lewis, a California-raised black fellow, 
nearly as heavy as his sire. This horse is 
five years old. Leopold, another son of Mon- 
tebello, a beautiful dapper-bay stallion, 
weighing 1,850 pounds, a pure blood, three 
years old. Caesar, another three-year-old, 
and Philipi, another of the same age, Victor, 
Bonita and Patera, the last three yearlings, 
are all fine stallions by same sire out of the 
imported six-year-old mares Marie and Lady 
Henrietta, and the pure blood, four-year-old, 
California-raised mare Florence, and are all 
splendid specimens of this species of horses. 



The owner of this property began raising 
this breed of horses in 1880, and has been 
very successful. He sells them all over this 
coast and farther east. 

To Mr. Patterson is due the credit of in- 
troducing an excellent strain of draft horses. 

This ranch, besides raising barley and 
horses, also produces large quantities of hay 
and corn; also keeps some 2,000 hogs. The 
location, soil and equipments are all superb. 
The fences are good and everything bears the 
unmistakable evidence of thrift and pros- 
perity. 

Oa the same old La Colonia, about four 
miles from these, is located another horse 
ranch owned by J. K. Greis, of Nordhoff, and 
Thomas Bell, of New Jerusalem, known as 
the Greis & Bell Ranch. This is a smaller 
one than the others, containing only about 
425 acres, but on it are kept some very fine 
horses, mostly of the Richmond breed. This 
rancho keeps several fine stallions; and, like 
the two above mentioned, keeps a large num- 
ber of fine brood mares, and makes a busi- 
ness of raising colts that develop into the 
best carriage and family horses. They pay 
special attention to the breeding of fine car- 
riage stock and train them for this purpose, 
not, of course, discouraging speed in trotting 
or racing. Their place, which is located near 
Springville, is a valuable one, and is kept in 
"apple-pie order," being like the other two 
a credit to the owners and to the county. 

Such marked success has attended the de- 
velopment of this industry here that it seems 
hardly extravagant to predict that the day 
will come when California shall lead the 
world in fine horses. The desirable moun- 
tain ranges of Ventura County, with the 
rich alfalfa fields of the valleys, are just the 
thing to develop the fine form and strong 
limb of this noble animal; and it would be no 
unnatural thing for this little seaside county 



2.->2 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



to wave the banner of victory over tlie world, 
having achieved the honor of producing, if 
not the fastest running, the fastest trotting 
and the finest driving stock on the continent. 



BEE KEEPING. 

There are about 18,000 hives of bees in 
this county. In a good year the county pro- 
duces about 3,000,000 pounds of honey, suf- 
ficient to fill 150 cars. In many cases 400 
pounds of honey to the hive have been pro- 
duced. One apiary of 700 hives, and sur- 
rounded by bees amounting in all to 1,800 
hives within the radius of two miles, aver- 
aged 130 pounds each. Another apiary, con- 
taining 445 hives in the spring, increased to 
about 1,200 and yielded eighty tons of honey. 
These are presented as fair examples of the 
products of the honey bee in this section. 

The bee-keepers of this county use honey 
extractors, replacing the comb. They have 
learned to handle it economically in a whole- 
sale way, and receive their full share of the 
profits. The Langstroth hive in its simplest 
form is almost the only one in use. The 
principal part of the honey is put up for 
shipment in sixty-pound tins, two tins in a 
case. Some is put up in twelve pound tins, 
and considerable in one and two pound tins 
for the English market. But the larger por- 
tion is sold by commission merchants in San 
Francisco, orders being received by them 
from all parts of the world. Some send their 
honey by the car-load to the interior States, 
at a cost of about two and one-half cents a 
pound; others send it by sailing vessels 
around Cape Horn to the Eastern States, at a 
cost of less than one cent a pound. 

This industry can be greatly extended in 
this county. The best locations are at the 
mouths of canons where water is plentiful. 
Some apiarists cultivate a little land while 



taking care of their bees, and others indulge 
in stock-raising. 

MINING. 

Mining in Ventura is as yet comparatively 
undelvoped. 

The mountains of this county are as yet 
but partly explored, and the most scientific 
explorers who have visited this section are 
unacquainted with much they contain. They 
will yet doubtless yield valuable returns to 
the faithful- investigator in precious metals, 
valuable minerals and not unlikely gems. 

Pirn Mining District. This district is 
several miles in extent, and in scenery, 
abundance of timber, excellency of water, 
salubrity of climate in summer and health- 
fulness, is hard to excel. The mountains are 
covered with pine and oak timber; and in the 
Lockwood and Piru creeks, which traverse 
the entire district, and are never failing 
streams fed by springs, abundance of water 
can be procured for running stamp mills and 
other mining purposes. Most of the ore is 
easily accessible and can be worked with 
comparatively small cost. Considerable 
placer mining has been done in this district, 
in which dry and wet washers have been 
used. Men have made from $1.50 to $5 a 
day, but the principal wealth lies in the 
quartz ledges, which require stamp mills to 
reduce the ore. 

Some of the mineral-bearing peaks rise 
8,000 feet, and one, Mount Pinos, over 9,000 
feet above sea level. Gold was discovered 
here long before the excitement of 1849. 
The territory of this district on the northern 
line of the county has the honor of furnish- 
ing the first gold mines discovered and 
worked in the State. 

Professor Whitney says it was somewhere 
in this vicinity that gold was first obtained 
in California in considerable quantity, and 
that was as early as 1841. M. Duflot de 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



253 



Mofras says that the locality was in the 
mountains six leagues from San Fernando 
and fifteen leagues from Los Angeles, where 
gold was first discovered. Bancroft makes 
mention of the fact of this locality having 
been worked more or less during the first 
half of the present century. It is evident 
that the yield of gold and silver of this local- 
ity has amounted to a large sum in the 
aggregate. 

The director of the mint, in one of his an- 
nual reports to the Government, claims that 
Frazer mountain alone had yielded $1,000,- 
000 in gold. 

To preserve the chronological symmetry 
of the present work, is introduced an extract 
from the report of the director of the mint 
for the year 1882. Dr. Bowers gives this 
at the end of his own paper on these mines, 
to which recurrence will be made hereafter. 

" The Piru Disti'ict takes its name from 
the Piru Creek, which runs through it in a 
southerly direction, carrying, according to 
season, from 100 to 1,000 inches of water, 
and has placer diggings along its banks that 
have been profitably worked. It is about 
fifty miles in length by twenty-five in width, 
and is a strongly-marked mineral belt, carry- 
ing mineral veins of almost every kind, such 
as gold, silver, copper, lead, tin, iron, bis- 
muth and antimony. It is abundantly sup- 
plied witli timber of all kinds and grass. It 
seems never to have attracted the attention of 
that class of men who get up booms in min- 
ing camps, Those who frequent it are poor 
men, who go there to make a raise, working 
the rich gold quartz they find, in arrastras. 
The district is in Ventura County, and the 
part around which the principal interest cen- 
ters and the work is mainly done is distant 
fifty-five miles from Bakersfield. 

"The principal lode is called the Fraser 
mine. During the time it was worked, a 



period of eight years, until operations ceased, 
October 31, 1879, because of litigation aris- 
ing from disputed ownership, it is believed 
to have yielded about $1,000,000 in gold. 
The difficulty is now said to be on the eve of 
settlement, and it will be worked by improved 
methods and on a larger scale than hereto- 
fore. The vein varies from two to sixteen 
feet in width, and will average eight feet. 
The ore contains a small percentage of silver, 
which seems to increase with depth. At the 
depth of 250 feet it amounts to $6 per ton, 
while there was only a trace at the surface. 
The ore contains iron and other sulphurets 
that assay from $3.00 to $3.50 per ton. 
They are all saved, but there is no means of 
treating them at the mine. The yield in free 
gold is from $15 to $25 per ton. There are 
many other claims in the vicinity that are 
successfully worked, yielding from $500 to 
$3,500 yearly by the arrastra process. One 
of these, the Castac, has yielded about $1,500. 

" Some of the most valuable lodes cannot 
be worked by the free-milling process, be- 
cause they contain lead, and therefore lie 
idle for the present. One of these, the 
Mountain Chief, a large, well-defined vein, 
gives an average of $31 in gold and $40 in 
silver per ton. The ore is also charged with 
rich sulphates. Probably one of the most 
valuable lodes in the district, if it were in 
some other place, is a vein of magnetic iron 
fifty feet in width, containing fifty-two per 
cent, of this useful metal. 

" In this district are Frazer, Fitzgerald, 
Alamo, Brown and other mountains, all 
within the boundary line of Ventura County. 
In these are found true fissure quartz veins 
with granite walls, yielding gold and silver 
in paying quantities. Unfortunately for the 
development of these ledges they have gen- 
erally fallen into the hands of persons who 
have had little or no capital to work them. 



254 



VEN'lURA COUJSTT. 



They are holding their claims by doing the 
necessary assessment work from year to year, 
awaiting the advent of men who can com- 
mand the means to purchase and develop 
them. 

" Gold has also been found in the Guada- 
lasca range on the eastern side of the county, 
not far from the sea shore. The mountains 
rise irom 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea 
level a few miles back from the ocean, and 
contain numerous quartz deposits in which 
free gold is found. It has never been suc- 
cessfully mined in this locality, but prospect- 
ors have recently brought in some fine-looking 
ore carrying a considerable quantity of free 
gold. This section still lacks thorough 
scientific investigation. 

"The San Emidio Antimony Mine was 
located by its present owners in 1872. It is 
claimed that this ledge was known to the 
Jesuit Fathers at an early day and was 
worked under their direction. I learn that 
there is a record to this effect in some of the 
old missions, and that implements have been 
found here and elsewhere in this portion of 
the country, indicating their use in these 
mines many years ago. 

" Professor William R. Blake, who visited 
this locality in 1853 as geologist and miner- 
alogist of the expedition surveying a route 
for the Pacific Railroad, refers to this deposit 
of antimony and says that in one place he 
found the remains of some old smelting 
works. Mr. Blake revisited this locality 
some years afterward, being much impressed 
with the character of its mineral deposits. 
In his reports he believed the antimony of 
sufficient importance to pay for its transport- 
ation to San Pedro on mules, a distance of 
over 100 miles, to what was then the nearest 
seaport. The ore is principally sulphuret of 
antimony. The vein crops out on the sum- 
mit of the San Emidio Range, and is from 



thirty to 100 feet in width. The hanging 
and foot walls are composed of granite. The 
ore is carried on donkeys over a trail two and 
one-half miles to smelting works in San 
Emidio Canon, which is 2,500 feet below the 
vein at the place where it is being mined. 
Here is a pulverizer and three concentrators, 
with other machinery, run by steam power. 

"Messrs. Bouchey & Co., the owners of this 
mine, are preparing to erect a tramway or 
slide from the mine to the works, which will 
be about one and one-half mile in length. 
There is an abundance of pine timber grow- 
ing near by that may be utilized for the 
purpose, while in the canon where the smelt- 
ing works are located is a never-failing stream 
of water. The ore averages from thirty to 
thirty-five per cent, of antimony. It is also 
stated that it contains from $4 to $16 per ton 
in gold, and from $10 to $14 in silver. * 
* * The mountain west of this ledge is 
capped with metamorphic sandstones, which 
Mr. Bouchey has tested for lining the fur- 
naces of his smelting works, and pronounces 
it equal to the best imported fire-bricks. " 

A large bed of gypsum occurs in the Ojai 
Valley, crossing the hill below the grade 
road that ascends to the upper valley. There 
is an exposure in the canon on the south side 
of the road, some fifteen or twenty ieet wide, 
dipping slightly to the east. It disappears 
under the mountain, but crops out nearly a 
mile distant on the opposite side. It is situ- 
ated so that it can be easily worked, requir- 
ing the construction of a wagon road but 
about 2,000 feet along the side of the canon. 
A large deposit of gypsum is reported to 
have been found recently in the western por- 
tion of the county. It is also found in small 
quantities in other portions of the county. 

A ledge of bituminous rock was discov- 
ered a few months since in Diablo Canon, 
about five miles from "Ventura, and is worked 



VENTURA COUNTY 



255 



by Messrs. Cyrus Bellah & Son. It is on 
the side of the cation, and has been prospected a 
distance of forty feet and forty feet deep. The 
deposit gradually increases in thickness, and 
gives promise of being practically inexhaust- 
ible. It has been tested by the Southern 
Pacific Company and others, who pronounce 
it of most excellent quality. The town au- 
thorities of San Buenaventura have ordered 
sidewalks to be constructed of this material 
on one of its principal streets, which will 
test its durability and value for paving pur- 
poses. Small deposits of this mineral are 
found in the upper Ojai Valley and other 
places in the county. 

The county abounds in hot and cold min- 
eral springs. The most noted of these are 
situated in the Matilaja Cafion, fifteen or 

eighteen miles from San Buenaventura, 
o 

They have been in use several years by per- 
sons suffering from rheumatism, indigestion, 
and cutaneous and other diseases. They are 
found somewhat abundantly for two or three 
miles along the canon, varying in tempera- 
ture from cold to hot. Several medicinal 
springs are found on the Pirn and at other 
portions of the county, but they have not 
been brought to the notice of the public. 

Already all the following named minerals 
have been found in Ventura County, and 
doubtless others will be discovered in other 
portions of the section that as yd have not 
been critically examined: 

Agate, analcite, actinolite, aragonite, anti- 
mony, amygdaloid, azurite, alabaster, aurifer- 
ous quartz, argillaceous ironstone. 

Bitumen, basalt, bromide of silver, bitu- 
minous rock, breccia, banded agate, brown 
coal, bituminous shale. 

Copper, calcite, cinnabar, chalcedony, chert, 
chrysolite, conglomerate, calcareous tufa. 
carbonaceous shale, elirysocolla, compacl 



gypsum, coal, chimney rock. 



Dolomite, dendrite, dogtooth spar, diorite, 
diatomaceous earth. 

Epsom ite. 

Feldspar, fortification agate. 

Gold, garnets, granite, graphite, galenite, 
gypsum, granular gypsum, fibrous gypsum, 
graphic granite, gneiss, grit rock, granular 
quartz, gray kip ore. 

Hornblende, hornblendic gneiss, hyalite. 

Iron, ironstone, iron pyrites, infusorial 
earth, jasper, jelsonite. 

Kaolinite, lava, limestone lignite. 

Mercury, marble, moss-agate, manganese, 
magnetic iron, marl, mica, mica schist, mot- 
tled jasper, massive calcite, micaceous gran- 
ite, massive gypsum. 

IMatrolite, native sulphur, nickel (?), 
naphtha. 

Opal, obsidian, oxide of iron, orthoclase. 

Porphyry, petroleum, pumice-stone, pud- 
ding-stone, pitch-stone, potters' clay, petrified 
wood, pyrites, picrolite (?). 

Quartz, quartzose granite. 

Rose agate, ruby silver. 

Silver, satin spar, salt, sulphur, shah;, 
silica, silt, stalactite, stalagmite, slate, syenite, 
steatite, serpentine, selenite, semi-opal, shell 
marble. 

Tin (?), trachyte, talc, talcose slate, tufa, 
trap, travertine, vesicular basalt, wood opal, 
zeolite. 

Potters' clay, pipe clay, brick clay and 
several other kinds that may be utilized and 
their manufactnre grow into important in- 
dustries, are found in this county. Also 
mineral soap is found in large quantity. 
This soap is composed of nearly pure silica, 
being the remains of infusoria,, a microscop- 
ical organism that existed in vast numbers 
in past time. These deposits have detergent 
qualities, and are a valuable substitute for 
manufactured soap in many respects. It is 
also valuable For the manufacture of dyna- 



256 



VENTUBA COUNTY. 



mite, in which it soaks up and retains the 
liquid nitro-glycerine, and is valuable for 
some other purposes. 

Ventura County contains enough good 
building stone to supply the State of Cali- 
fornia for centuries to come. A ledge 
of brown sandstone begins at the Sespe 
and continues in a westerly direction (prob- 
ably curving northwardly) for over twenty- 
live miles to the ocean. It is several miles 
wide and of unknown depth. It crops out 
in various accessible places and varies in 
texture and hardness. But in every instance, 
so far as known, it is an excellent building 
stone. In some places this vast ledge has 
been lifted to a vertical position and in 
others it is horizontal. It can be quarried in 
any size required by builders. 

This stone is being used extensively for 
the finest buildings in San Francisco and Los 

o 

Angeles, and this promises to be one of the 
permanent and profitable industries of the 
county, whose development will furnish em- 
ployment for thousands of workmen, skilled 
and unskilled. 

Other building stone is found in various 
portions of the county, as greenish and gray 
sandstone. In some places these are found 
in extensive ledges, but they are not equal in 
texture and beauty to the red sandstone 
above described. In the northern portion of 
the county may be found millions of tons of 
granite, syenite and mica slate. The former 
contains large rose-colored crystals of ortho- 
clase, giving it a most beautiful appearance, 
which is heightened by polishing. The 
mica, feldspar and quartz are distributed in 
such a manner as to make the granite durable 
and valuable for building and monumental 
purposes. The syenite is exceedingly tough 
and durable. In other portions of the county 
vast quantities of compact slate rock may be 
obtained, and also diorite. Compact basaltic 



rocks in almost unlimited quantity may be 
found at the southeastern and northwestern 
portions of the county. 

Altogether the building stone of Ventura 
County is inexhaustible. In quality it is 
probably unexcelled in the State. Hence- 
forward the " Ventura brownstone" will go 
into the finest buildings in every city in Cal- 
ifornia. 

The asphaltum or bituminous rock mines 
form one of the coming great interests of 
Ventura County. Up to this time a vast 
quantity has been shipped to various cities 
for street paving, etc., and large contracts 
are being filled for contractors working in 
Colorado and Utah. The output over the 
Ventura wharf will average perhaps ten tons 
daily. New deposits have been discovered 
lately, and preparations are making to ship 
in large quantities as far east as New Fork. 
It is hoped that this county will soon be able 
to supply the demand for this article, for- 
merly supplied from the Trinidad Islands. 
These beds of asphalt, along the San Anto- 
nio Creek, were first examined before the 
war, and before the oil discoveries in Penn- 
sylvania, by Professor Sill i man of the Smith- 
sonian Institute. His report called attention 
to this territory, and led to the organization 
of the California & Philadelphia Petroleum 
Company. 

MINERAL OILS. 

(From the State Mineralogical Report.) 
Owing to the vast mineral oil deposits in this sec- 
tion, Ventura is known as the " oil county " of Cali- 
fornia. The oil belt lies in the mountains to the 
north of the Santa Clara River ; it starts from near the 
eastern boundary of the county, and runs in a south- 
easterly direction to the San Buenaventura River. It 
is also found near the Conejo Rancho and in other 
places in the county. 

The wells are mostly situated from three to six 
miles north of the edge of the Santa Clara Valley, in 
and about a series of canons which run southerly to 
the Santa Clara River. The names of these canons in 
order, from east to west, are as follows: Piru, Hopper, 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



257 



Sespe, Santa Paula, Adams, Saltmarsh (a branch of 
Adams), Wheeler, West Wheeler (a branch of Wheel- 
er), Sulphur and Coche (these two being branches of 
the Canada Larga). There are also a few wells in the 
Ojai Valley. 

Westerly from Santa Paula Creek, between the 
Ojai Valley on the north and the Santa Clara Valley 
on the south, there extends an unbroken mountain 
ridge, whose highest crest is about 2,000 feet above 
the sea, as far west as the San Buenaventura Eiver 
This ridge is called " Sulphur Mountain," and all the 
canons above named to the west of Santa Paula Canon 
lie on the southern flank of Sulphur Mountain. 

Piru Canon. — From Camulos station it is about six 
miles to the well of Messrs. Rhodes & Baker, head of 
Brea Canon. * * * 

The well is about 250 feet north of the anticlinal 
axis, and is now (July 12, 1&-7) 715 feet deep. * * 
They have stopped drilling this well for a while, be- 
cause their waler supply for the engine gave out. 
There is a moderate quantity of gas in the water from 
this well. The oil from the well isdark brown in color. 
This is said to be the only well in or about Piru 
Canon. And certain it is that in the Piru Canon itself 
the visible surlace indications of bituminous matter 
are veiy slight. From 200 to 300 feet south of the 
well there is an extensive deposit of asphaltum 
mixed with surface sand, and numerous little springs 
of black maltha scattered over perhaps an acre of 
ground. Next west of Piru Canon comes 

Hopper Canon, — at whose mouth * * * a well 
was drilled in 1877, by M. W. Beardsley, to a depth of 
300 feet, * * * when the work was stopped for 
lack of funds. * * * Even at that depth * * * 
it would probably have yielded three or four barrels 
per clay of light green oil. From this well, in an air 
line * * about one and one-half miles, * * * 
are two wells about 200 feet apart. The lower one is 
ninety feet deep, and was abandoned because the hole 
became irretrievably crooked. There was here a 
good deal of heavy black oil. The other well is a 
new one just started, * * * yet they have a little 
heavy black oil on the tools even now. 

All the way from here down to the mouth of the 
canon there is liquid oil floating on top of the water 
in the creek. Some of it is green and some of it is 
black. The aggregate quantity of oil which thus 
oozes out and floats away on the water is, of course, 
not large; nevertheless it is greater in this canon than 
in any other canon yet seen in Southern California. 

About opposite Waring's house, in the hills on the 
south side of the Santa Clara Valley, on the Simi 
Rancho, and on. the northern slopes of the San Fer- 
nando range of mountains, there is a large deposit of 
asphaltum, together with extensive outflows of liquid 



petroleum, where, some years ago, a man gathered for 
a while about ten barrels of oil per day. Oil men be- 
lieve that with the expenditure of a moderate amount 
of labor a surface flow of forty barrels per day could 
be obtained there. Mr. Hugh Waring states that this 
is the most westerly point where asphaltum is found 
in the San Fernando Range. He also says that east 
of there, in the hills somewhere to the south of Cam- 
ulos, he has seen cattle mired and dead in pools of 
viscid and muddy maltha. 

Sespe Canon. — Sespe Creek, occupying the canon 
next west of Hopper Canon, is the largest and longest 
northern branch of the Santa Clara River in Ventura 
County. It heads far back in the mountains to the 
north of the Ojai Valley, and at first flows nearly east 
for a number of miles, passing entirely around the 
head branches of Santa Paula Canon, and then curves 
around so that its general direction for the last ten or 
twelve miles of its course in the mountains is nearly 
south. The mouth of the canon is something like ten 
miles east of the town of Santa Paula. " Tar Creek " 
and the "Little Sespe" are two different branches of 
the main Sespe Canon, both of them coming in from 
the east, the mouth of Tar Creek being several miles 
above that of the Little Sespe. The latter is a short 
canon not more than four or five miles in length, but 
Tar Creek is a longer stream. * * * Near the 
mouth of the main Sespe Canon one small oil spring 
occurs in the bed of the canon. In ihe Little Sespe 
there is a nice little spring of water, and occasional 
small oil springs and seepages. * * * In the 
Little Sespe are the so-called "Los Angeles" wells, of 
which there are two. One of these is about 1,500 
feet deep, and is said to have yielded at first, for some 
time, about 150 barrels per day. But about the year 
1882, in the course of a "freeze out" game amongst 
the owners, while still yielding some forty barrels per 
day, it was maliciously plugged by somebody, and 
thus ruined. The other one went down about 200 
feet, when it became crooked. 

The present wells of the " Sespe Oil Company" are 
scattered about the upper branches of Tar Creek. * 
* * Well No. 1 is on the right bank of the main 
Tar Creek. It was begun January 26, 1887, and fin- 
ished February 12, 1887; is 196 feet deep, and pumps 
about forty barrels per day of a very dark-colored 
greenish-brown oil. This well first started off at 
about 100 barrels per day. 

No. 2 is about 300 feet southeasterly from No. 1. It 
was drilled in April, 1887, and is 206 feet deep. It 
first started off at about 150 barrels per day, but after- 
ward fell off, &nd now flows about seventy-five barrels 
per day of a dark green oil. It also produces consid 
erable gas. 

No. 4 is probably 1,200 feet northwesterly from No. 



258 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



1, and is a new well, not yet drilled. Nos. 1, 2 and 4 
are nearly in a straight line. No. 5 is on Oil Creek. 
Here they have not begun drilling. 

No. 3 is down about 500 feet, and they are still 
drilling. 

No. 6 is located some 500 feet easterly from No. 1. 
Here the grading has been done, but the derrick is 
not yet erected. 

The foregoing statements refer to the condition of 
the wells July 25, 1887. Some months later No. 2 was 
reported pumping instead of flowing; beginning with 
225 barrels per day, it continued with about 140 per 
day. No. 4, now about 400 feet deep, was pumping 
twenty-five barrels per day. Nos. 3 and 4, having 
gone down about 700 feet, proved dry holes. 

The report of the State Mineralogist for 
1888 contains the following: 

In addition to the report relating to these deposits, 
published by the Mining Bureau, last year, I have to 
say that work has steadily progressed, and the output 
of oil for the last fiscal year has increased from 62,500 
barrels to 220,050 barrels. 

The following is a statement of the work which has 
been done in this district during the year ending 
September 18: 

Hopper Canon. — Considerable work has been done 
here, but the returns have been meager. The forma- 
tion is so broken up that it is not unlikely the oil 
exudes at the surface as rapidly as it is elaborated be- 
low. In order to thoroughly test this locality two 
wells have been drilled during the past year, one 400, 
and the other about 800, feet deep. In the deeper 
well a small amount of oil was struck, and a large 
flow of water. In the 400-foot well a flow of soda 
water was obtained, which is said to be of excellent 
quality, and may be profitably utilized. 

Piru Canon. — Like Hopper Canon, this seems to be 
outside of the paying oil belt. Two new wells have 
been drilled here during the past year. One was 
sunk to a depth of 1,000 feet, but no oil was obtained, 
and it was abandoned. Another well was sunk one- 
fourth of a mile away, but it was abandoned for the 
same reason. 

Sespe Canon. — The efforts of the oil company have 
been much more successful here. Eight new wells 
have been dug here during the year, which, in the 
aggregate, yield a large quantity of oil. 

No. 7 is located about thirty rods southwest of No. 
5. The depth reached was 300 feet. When first com- 
pleted the well produced twenty barrels a day, but 
now yields ten barrels daily. 

No. 8, located about eighty rods north of No. 4, was 
drilled to a depth of 650 feet, and yielded seventy-five 
barrels a day; now reduced to forty-five barrels daily. 



No. 9, located about 600 feet from No. 4, is down to 
a depth of 400 feet, and is producing about eight bar- 
rels a day. 

No. 10 is about 500 feet south of No. 7. It is 350 
feet deep and pumps seventy-five barrels a day. 

No. 11 is southwest of No. 8, and is down to a depth 
of 400 feet. It produced thirty or forty barrels a day, 
but quickly ran down to its present product of about 
nine barrels. 

No. 12 is north of No. 8, and is about 650 feet deep. 
This well produces seventy-five barrels daily. 

No. 13 is one-half mile north of No. 12, on Irelan 
Creek. It is 600 feet deep, and pumps ten barrels a 
day. 

No. 14 is west of No. 13, and was drilled as a test 
well, going down 1,400 feet. About 500 feet below 
the surface a small deposit of oil was struck, but the 
well is practically dry. 

No. 15 is south of No. 13, and is still drilling at a 
depth of 700 feet. Considerable water has been 
struck, and a small quantity of oil. 

No. 16 is down about 100 feet, and still drilling. 

These wells are located twenty-five miles from the 
ocean, at an altitude of 2,800 feet. 

Adams Canon. — Well No. 16, which was completed 
in January, at a depth of 750 feet, is the largest flow- 
ing well ever struck in California. The oil, when 
reached, shot up to the height of nearly 100 feet, and 
flowed at the rate of 800 or 900 barrels daily. Before 
it could be controlled it sent a stream down the canon 
for a distance of seven miles. After the lapse of nine 
months it continues to flow at the rate of 500 birrels 
daily. 

No. 17 is drilled to a depth of 1.4J0 feet, but is a 
smaU producer, barely paying for pumping. 

No. 18 is located about 400 feet south of No. 9, and 
is about 900 feet deep and still in process of drilling. 

Tne Adams Canon wells are about the head of the 
canon, and most of them strung along a very narrow 
belt about three-quarters of a mile long. These wells 
are quite productive. No. 13, when one year old, had 
produced 74,000 barrels, and is still producing 220 
barrels daily. There is considerable asphaltum on 
the surface of the ground in Adams Canon. The 
largest patch covers probably one or two acres of 
ground and contains numerous little springs of black 
maltha. Adams Canon well, No. 16, is probably also 
the largest gas well on the Pacific Coast. At the 
present time it is producing sufficient gas to run all 
the works and machinery in the canon. 

Saltmarsh Canon, — named after John Saltmarsh, 
promises well. 

Well No. 1 was completed in January, 1888. It is 
290 feet deep, and produces seventy-five barrels daily. 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



259 



No. 2 was abandoned on account of "crooked hole" 
and caving, at 350 feet deep. 

No. 3 is finished to a depth of 400 feet. It is pro- 
ducing forty barrels per day. 

Santa Paula Canon, — formerly called " Mupu 
Canon," contains the group called the " Scott" wells, 
situated about five miles from the town of Santa 
Paula. They are from three to ten years old. There 
were eleven or twelve in all, some five or six only of 
which are now producing an aggregate of about 
eleven barrels per day. They range from 200 to 1,000 
feet deep The oil is black. 

Wheeler Canon — contains three wells, drilled in 
1887-88, which yield only about ten barrels per dsy 
in the aggregate. 

Aliso Canon— promises to produce oil in paying 
quantities. 

During 1887-'88 the Hardison & Stewart Oil Com- 
pany erected at Santa Paula refining works which are 
claimed to be the most complete of the kind in the 
country. The machinery and equipment in general 
include the latest improvements for oil refining. This 
company manufactures benzine, illuminating oil, gas 
and domestic fuel, distillates, >wool oil, neutral oil, 
lubricating oils, and maltha. The crude oil yields 
from fifteen to twenty per cent, of illuminating oil, 
and from thenty to twenty-five percent, of maltha or as- 
phaltum. The illuminating oil is of excellent quality, 
and claimed to be superior to any that has been made 
on the Pacific Coast. It burns with a clear and ste - dy 
flame, and is free from smoke or disagreeable odor. 
The asphaltum is used for pipe dipping, for the man- 
ufacture of paints and varnishes, and for coating roofs, 
bridges, etc. It is a beautiful glossy black, absolutely 
impervious to water, and particularly adapted to coat- 
ing iron. The lubricating oil is said to have a lower 
cold test than any other ever discovered in the United 
States. It does not harden until it reaches a much 
lower degree of cold than any other oil known, hence 
is adapted to locomotives and other machinery subject 
to cold weather. 

The oil regions of California have head- 
quarters at Santa Paula, where there are six 
companies, viz.: the Hardison & Steward Oil 
Company, Sespe Oil Company, Torrey Canon 
Oil Company, Mission Transfer Oil Company, 
Ventura Oil Company, and O'Hara Brothers. 
The most extensive petroleum oil operations 
are on the Rancho ex-Mission, situated along 
the south side of Sulphur Mountain, begin- 
ning about four miles northwest of the town, 



and extending westerly eight miles. These 
works are owned and operated by the Hardi- 
son & Stewart Company, incorporated with a 
capital stock of $1,000,000. Lyman Stewart 
is president and general manager; W. L. 
Hardison, vice-president and treasurer; Alex. 
Waldie, secretary. This company has been 
most successful in its development, having a 
large production from their many wells and 
tunnels. There is connected with the com- 
pany's offices at Santa Paula a complete tele- 
phone system. The region is a network of 
pipe lines conveying the oil to Santa Paula, 
Ventura and Hueneme. The next most ex- 
teusive oil developments in this region are 
located at Sespe, and are owned and operated 
by the Sespe Oil Company, with its office at 
Santa Paula. The company has a capital 
stock of $250,000. Thomas R. Bard is 
president; D. McFarland, vice-president; W. 
L. Hardison, treasurer and general manager; 
Alex. W aldie, secretary. The Torrey Canon 
Oil Company is opearating three miles south 
of Piru Station. Its officers are: Thos. R. 
Bard, presidents W. S. Chaffe, vice-president; 
I. H. Warring, secretary ; W. L. Hardison, 
superintendent. The production of the re- 
gion is also very large, and is piped to Santa 
Paula. The wells have telephone connection 
with the main office. These four companies 
keep a large force of men constantly engaged 
in the drilling of naw oil wells; and thus the 
production is being constantly augmented. 
The Mission Transfer Company has a capital 
stock of $500,000; T. R. Bard is president; 
Lyman Stewart, vice-president; W. L. Hardi- 
son, treasurer and general manager: I. [I. 
AVarring, secretary. This company has about 
100 miles of pipe lines and forty tanks, the 
largest one holding 30,000 barrels. They 
have fifty-two oil-tank cars, and have a re- 
finery, wlicre they make all the various pro- 
ducts usually manufactured from petroleum, 



260 



VENTURA COUNTY. 



notably lubricating oil, gas oil and naph- 
tha. Asphalt um (maltha) is also refined in 
large quantities, and is used extensively both 
on this coast and in the East for coating pipe 
and other iron goods, for roofing, and for 
paving purposes. No industry in the Golden 
State promises better results than its oil devel- 
opments; and nothing is more beneficial to 
Ventura County, and to Santa Paula in partic- 
ular, than the business of these four oil com- 
panies. With an abundance of cheap petro- 
leum for fuel no section offers better advant- 
ages for manufacturing purposes than Santa 
Paula. 

The prospects of this industry are now 
brighter than ever before. The Sespe Oil 
Company has now drilled thirty-one wells, 
varying in depth from 450 to over 1,800 feet, 
yielding at this time an average product of 
7,000 barrels monthly. The last well. No. 
29, promises to give 150 to 300 barrels 
per diem. Developments have just begun 
on the " Kentucky Oil Claim," where, in well 
No. 2, was struck near the surface sand-rock 
so full of oil that it could not be drilled over 
200 feet; after exhausting this well by pump- 
ing, work will be continued. The Sespe Oil 
Company has a lease of about 7,000 acres of 



the best oil lands on the Simi Rancho, and 
are beginning to drill thereon, the territory 
being deemed rich in oil. Tne production 
of the Hardison & Stewart Company is in- 
creasing very rapidly, being 8,000 to 9,000 
barrels per month. Adams Canon well, No. 
13, opened August, 1887, has to date pro- 
duced 125,000 barrels, which, at the average 
price of fuel oil — $1.75 per barrel — has been 
a fortune in itself. They have in all drilled 
thirty-four wells, the last of which, in Adams 
Canon, averages over 125 barrels per day. 
They have at present three sets of tools, each 
employing four experienced drillers, pushing 
developments more rapidly than ever before, 
and the expectation is that 20,000 barrels per 
month will be reached before the close of the 
year. No part of the development has paid 
better than the oil tunnels. Adams' Tunnel, 
No. 3, where three men were killed in April, 
1890, by a gas explosion, was at that time 950 
feet long; work has just been resumed, and it 
is expected to reach 1,000 to 2,000 feet further 
into the mountain, which it will drain of oil. 
In 1889 work was began in the Upper Ojai 
Valley, and two wells are yielding average 
production, with a third well now in process 
of drilling. 




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Biographical Sketches. | 






[CHIAPPA PIETRA BROS., upright 
and capable business men of San Buena- 
ventura, came here as pioneers in 1857, 
when there were scarcely any Americans in 
the whole county. They are natives of 
Italy. Sr. A. Schiappa Fietra was born 
February 2, 1832, and in 1853 came to Cali- 
fornia, and after spending six months in San 
Francisco he came to San Luis Obispo and 
opened a general merchandise store, which was 
conducted successfully for fourteen months. 
He then sold out and went to San Fransisco 
in search of a locality for business, but, fail- 
ing, he visited San Diego, San Bernardino 
and other places in Southern California and 
located in Santa Barbara, engaged in general 
merchandise; and while there, in 1857, he 
started a store in San Buenaventura, and in 
1878 sold out his business there. In 1861 
he bought the Santa Clara del Norte ranch 
of 13,900 acres and stocked it with sheep; 
30,000 or 40,000 are now kept upon it. Also 
there are planted on the ranch trees of vari- 
ous kinds, including olives and oranges, and 
they are doing well. Formerly about 4,000 
acres were devoted to barley, but this year it 
is the intention to plant 5,000 acres to beans. 
Theyoungor brother, Sr. Leopold Schiappa 
Pietra, was born February 3, 1842, and came 



to California in 1866, since which time his 
business was united with that of his brother. 
He married Miss Amparo Arenas, a native 
of California, and they have a son and a daugh- 
ter, both of whom are deceased. 

In 1877 the brothers built their present 
line residence, and have made it a place of 
unusual beauty. The grounds are planted 
and decorated with artistic skill, and are ex- 
tremely well cared for. They are also the 
owners of the St. Charles Hotel at Santa Bar- 
bara and the Palace Hotel in San Buenaven- 
tura. They are zealous members of the 
Holy Catnolic Church, and are exemplary 
citizens. 



->♦£- 




AIUS WEBSTER, of San Miguel, was 
x>rn in Delaware County, New York, 
November 22, 1842, his father, John 
Webster, being a respectable farmer and jus- 
tice of the peace. Was educated mainly in 
the public schools; qualified himself for 
teaching, and taught school in the winter of 
1861-'62. 

In August, 1862, enlisted in Company A, 
One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, 
New York Volunteer Infantry, and served 



262 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



until July, 1865, being discharged by reason 
of the close of the war. 

Returning to his native county, he spent a 
month or two visiting relatives and friends, 
and packing his gripsack started for Oregon 
alone. There was not a soul on the Pacific 
coast that he had ever seen, but he was de- 
termined to carve a way for himself among 
strangers in a new and rising country. 
Stopping in Douglas County, Oregon, he 
worked for a time in a logging camp, after- 
ward attending an academy at Roseburg, 
reviewing the studies of former years and 
pursuing such sciences as the curriculum of 
the institution included. 

In 1866 he entered as a law student the 
office of Hon. S. F. Chadwick, who afterward 
became Secretary of State and Governor. 
Having read the usual course, he was ex- 
amined in the Supreme Court and admitted 
to the bar September, 1867. In the spring 
of 1868 he purchased the Roseburg Ensign, 
which he carried on as editor and publisher 
until the spring of 1870, and also attending to 
such law business as presented. In the po- 
litical campaign of that year he became the 
candidate of the Republican party for the 
office of County Judge, but was defeated with 
the whole ticket. It was during this period 
that lie became acquainted with Miss Anna 
West, an estimable lady teacher, to whom he 
was married in 1870. .Near the close of that 
year, having disposed of the newspaper, he 
moved to the adjoining county of Coos, set- 
tling at Marshheld, on Coos Bay, and en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession. In 
1872 he was nominated and elected State 
Senator for the district including Douglas, 
Coos and Curry counties. He occupied a 
seat in the State Senate during the sessions 
of 1872 and 1874, being the youngest mem- 
ber of that body. From 1875 to 1877 he 
was associated with D. L. Watson, Esq., in 



the publishing of the Coos County Record, 
a Republican paper, the editorial manage- 
ment of which devolved upon Mr. Webster. 
On the opening of the year 1878, with I. 
Hacker, he established the newspaper known 
as the Coast Mail, which he edited for two 
years, at the same time attending to a con- 
siderable law practice. 

In 1880 he sold the paper, and for two 
years devoted his entire attention to the law. 
In the meantime pulmonary and bronchial 
disease developed in his family, and in the 
winter of 1882 he moved to Santa Cruz, 
California, where in the following year he 
resumed the practice of the law. The coast 
air of that beautiful place proving unfavor- 
able to his family he moved to Los Gatos, 
where he purchased an interest in the Los 
Gatos News, but devoted his time to the pro- 
fession of the law. 

In February, 1886, being impressed with 
the central location and favorable surround- 
ings of San Miguel, he established at that 
place the Inland Messenger, afterward 
changed to the San Miguel Messenger, wh\ch 
he carried on with his law business for two 
years, when he sold the property to F. J. 
Burns, its present proprietor. 

Mr. Webster's family consists of his wife 
and two sons, and two daughters, all nearly 
grown. His time is now fully and pro^tably 
occupied in his profession; he is also improv- 
ing a fruit farm near town, where he has 
about thirty acres planted in choice varieties. 
He is Commander of John Buford Post, No. 
136, G. A. R.; Overseer of San Miguel 
Grange and Notary Public. Mr. Webster is 
looked upon by his fellow citizens as one of 
the most enterprising and public-spirited men 
of San Miguel, and takes an active part in 
promoting the interests of the place. He 
stands high in his profession and enjoys a 
good practice, and looks exceeding young for 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



»G3 



one who was for the three worst years of the 
war engaged in the great and saving struggle 
for National life, and appears as if he was 
good for another half century of usefulness. 



,ON. H. PETERSEN is one of the 
leading business men of Templeton, San 
Lnis Obispo County, California. He is 
a native of Hamburg, Germany, born July 5, 
1840. His parents, Adolph and Augusta 
Peterson, were Germans who emigrated to 
the United States, in 1855, bringing their 
family of six children with them, the subject 
of this sketch being the second child of the 
family. They settled near Davenport, Iowa, 
on a farm of 150 acres, which they bought. 
They built a home on the property, and made 
other improvements. 

Mr. Petersen had received his education in 
Germany and was fifteen years of age when 
they came to America. When he began life 
for himself, he had twelve dollars. He en- 
gaged in farming on shares, and continued 
it until 1868, when he moved west to Grundy 
Comity, and purchased 160 acres of prairie 
land, at five dollars per acre. Here he built 
a house and improved the property, and lived 
for fifteen years. At this time the railroad 
was built to Reinbeck, and Mr. Petersen 
moved into town, and opened a hardware 
and agricultural implement business. He 
built one store and purchased another, and 
did a prosperous business until 1886, when 
he sold out. He was elected a member of the 
Twenty-first General Assembly by the Demo- 
cratic party, while there, and served the term 
of office with credit to himself and his con- 
stituents. In the spring of 1886 he visited 
California, and traveled the State over, look- 
ing for a place to settle. In 1887 he came to 
San Luis Obispo County, and invested in 200 



acres of land near Templeton and bought 
two village lots. In October, 1888, he 
brought his family to their new home. He 
bought the hardware business of Mr. E. 
Griffith, the principal business of the place. 
It had been started in the spring of 1887. 
Mr. Petersen has since continued the busi- 
ness, and has made a success of it. He deals 
in both hardware and agricultural imple- 
ments, and his trade extends out for twenty- 
six miles. His lands are rented and he is 
getting a share of the crops. He has en- 
crao-ed, to some extent, in the culture of fruit 
on his lands, principally French primes. 

Mr. Petersen was married in Iowa, in 
1863, to Miss M. Klein, a native of Saxony, 
and of German parentage. They have had 
ten children, seven of whom are living, viz: 
Teresa, Ida, Antonette, Henryetta, Carl, 
Rudolph, and Hubert, all born in Iowa. Ter- 
esa and Antonetta are married, one in Kansas, 
and the other in San Bernardino, California. 
Mr. and Mrs. Petersen are Lutherans, and he is 
an Odd Fellow. He is still a member of the 
Democratic party; is a man having well 
defined business and political ideas; has a 
general information on all topics; gives his 
business close personal attention; and is 
withal a worthy citizen and desirable acquis- 
ition to the new tow r n in which he has cast 
his lot. 



fOHN QUARNSTROM is one of the 
business men of San Luis Obispo County. 
He was born in Sweden, of Swedish 
parents, January 26, 1851; and came to the 
United States March 28, 1884. Previous to 
his arrival in America, he was a merchant 
and contractor in his native country. His 
first business enterprise in the United States 
was in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he 



2C4 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



carried on cabinet-making, and also did a real- 
estate business. In 1887 be came to Teinple- 
ton, California, bought out a store, conducted 
it two years, and then joined the corporation 
comprising the Bank of Templeton, and the 
general merchandise firm of J. Quarnstrom 
& Co., and also the general merchandise firm 
at Paso Robles of the Nelson Quarnstrom 
Company. He has also become interested in 
lands and is engaging in fruit culture. He 
has build a block in Templeton, and erected 
one of the finest residences in the town, where 
he resides with his family. 

Mr. Quarnstrom was married to Miss S. C. 
Erksen, a native of Sweden, and their union 
has been blessed with two children, Annie C. 
and Ernest L. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Quarn- 
strom is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in 
his political views he is independent. He 
and his family are worthy people, a credit 
and an important acquisition to the com- 
munity in which they reside. 



lipi B. BALLARD is one of the prominent 
ranchers of Huer-Huero, two and a 
half miles southwest of Cre-tou, San 
Luis Obispo County, California. He is the 
owner of a beautiful estate of 640 acres. 
The house and farm buildings, which he 
planned and erected, stand on an eminence 
somewhat back from the highway, and present 
a home-like and picturesque appearance. 
The undulating hills, dotted over with ma- 
jestic white oaks, form a fine back and fore 
ground to the picture. 

Mr. Ballard is a native of England, born 
September 23, 1860. He received a liberal 
education in England, and in March, 1880, 
came to America in search of health and for- 
tune. He went first to Iowa, and from there to 



Minnesota, where he purchased 640 acres of 
land which he still owns. In 1883 he came to 
San Luis Obispo County, California. Cressey, 
Adams & Ambrose purchased the property 
and placed it in the hands of C. H. Phillips 
for subdivision and sale. As soon as it was 
subdivided Mr. Ballard was one of the first 
buyers. He is now engaged in diversified 
farming, raising hay, grain, horses and mules. 

Mr. Ballard had the asthma very bad, and 
has found the climate on his ranch very salu- 
tary and is now quite free from the disease. 

In January, 1889, Mr. Ballard was united 
in marriage with Miss C Hayes, a native of 
Maryland, and daughter of Dr. W. W. Hayes 
who is the pioneer physician of San Luis 
Obispo. 

Mr. Ballard's ancestors for five generations 
have been in the English navy, and up to 
his father, Captain J. B. Ballard, they have 
all risen to the position of Admiral. His 
younger brother, Casper, has now entered the 
navy with the intention of keeping up the 
family line in that department. His grand- 
father, Admiral Y. Y. Ballard, had the honor 
of being the captor of the Island of Guada- 
loupe and Cape Town, South Africa. Mr. 
Ballard's mother, Charlotte (Hale) Ballard, 
was the daughter of a land-holder in Hamp- 
shire, England. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ballard are members of the 
Episcopal Church. They are highly enter- 
taining and courteous people. 



C. JAMISON, a rancher of Santa 
Ynez, was born in Redwood, Santa 
* Clara County, December 25, 1860. 
His father, T. B. Jamison, is a native 
of Maryland, and came across the plains to 
California in 1854, and again in 1859, with his 
family, settling in Santa Clara County. In 




AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



265 



1865 he was a pioneer to Salinas City, Monterey 
County, and built the first house. In 1872 
he moved to Guadalupe, being among the 
first to enter that valley. W. C. Jamison 
lived at home during the several changes of 
the family, and in 1882 they again broke up; 
at the opening of the Santa Ynez Valley ^ 
went there and established themselves. He 
rents about 680 acres of land from the Santa 
Ynez Improvement Company, which he culti- 
vates to wheat and barley, principally grain. 
This year (1890), the hay crop being short, he 
is cutting everything for hay; will cut about 
275 tons and 150 acres for grain. He uses 
all heavy machinery, and presses hay in the 
field. 

Mr. Jamison was married at Santa Ynez, 
December 18, 1889, to Miss Alice B. Mills, 
a native of California. 

-"^I^hhS^.-*,. 

( DOLPH F. HOESTMAN, one of the 
prominent business men of Templeton, 
is a stockholder and the cashier of the 
Templeton Bank, and a member of two gen- 
eral merchandise firms at Templeton and 
Paso Robles, namely, Quarnstroin & Co. and 
the Nelson Qnarnstrom Company, both doing 
an extensive mercantile business. He is also 
interested in ranch property and horticulture. 
Mr. Horstman is a native of Davenport, 
Iowa, born in July, 1865. His parents, 
William and Amelia Horstman, were both 
natives of Germany, and camo to the United 
States in 1861. settling in Iowa on a farm. 
They were poor people and honest and indus- 
trious, and worked by the day and month. 
After a time they purchased eighty acres of 
land, which increased in acres and value, 
until in the course of years they had several 
thousand acres of valuable land. His father 
and family came to California in September, 

17 



1887, and is now retired from active busi- 
ness, and resides in a pleasant home in Tem- 
pleton, whfcre he expects to spend the evening 
of life, amusing himself in the cultivation of 
fruit and the ornamentation of his grounds. 

Mr. Adolph F. Horstman, our subject, was 
educated at Vinton, Iowa, in the Tillford 
Academy. He engaged in the grain business, 
as book-keeper for his father for four years. 
When he was nineteen years of age his father 
started him in the merchandise business, in 
Sutherland, O'Brien County, Iowa. He con- 
tinued the business successfully until 1887, 
when he sold out and came to Templeton, 
where he established the bank, and eno-Mjred 
in banking business, to which he now gives 
his personal attention. 

Mr. Horstman was married in 1887, to 
Miss Hatty Sibert, of Reinbeck, Iowa, 
daughter of Dr. J. G. Sibert, of that State. 
Mr. Horstman is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and also of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows. He has taken an active part 
in politics, when he resided in Sutherland, 
Iowa, and was elected Recorder of that town 
by the Democratic party, of which he is a 
member. 



B. SMITH, a prominent citizen and 
Justice of the Peace ol Creston, is a 
° native of Southern Ohio, born near 
Sandusky, July 9, 1841. His father, William 
Smith, was a native of Connecticut, and a 
soldier in the war of 1812. He was in the 
Ninth United States Infantry, and at the 
battle of Sackett's Harbor. Mr. Smith has the 
pocket-book his father carried in that war, 
and many other interesting relics. His father 
married Lucy Turner, a native of New York, 
and daughter of Mr. Samuel Turner, who 
was a soldier of the Revolution. Mr. Smith's 



:go 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



grandfather, Eri Smith, was also a soldier of 
the Revolution; so that, as far as patriotism 
is concerned, he can claim as good ancestry 
as the best. His parents had eleven children, 
four of whom are now living. He was the 
youngest except one. He lived in Ohio un- 
til thirteen years of age, when, in 1854, the 
family removed to Illinois. His youth was 
spent working on the farm in summer and at- 
tending the district school in winter, finishing 
his education at the Lombard University, 
Galesburjjr, Illinois. He then carried on farm- 
ing and also taught school in the winter for 
eleven years. In Illinois he bought forty acres 
of land, which he improved by building, etc., 
and which he sold before removing to South- 
ern Nebraska. In that State he purchased a 
farm of 320 acres, which he also improved, 
building a house on each quarter section, and 
on this property he resided ten years. At 
this time, 1885, a throat trouble caused him 
to sell out, leave his Nebraska home, and 
come to California with a hope of obtaining 
relief from his disease; and he has been 
greatly benefited. He owns 306 acres of 
land, located 260 rods northeast of the village 
of Creston. Mr. Smith has built on the 
crest of the hill and will soon have a very 
attractive home. He has planted a large va- 
riety of fruit trees, comprising the following: 
prunes, apricots, pears, peaches, plums, tigs, 
apples, almonds, nectarines and also grape 
vines. Wheat is his principal crop, and in 
1889 he raised 1,665 bushels on 105 acres. 
Mr. Smith was united in marriage, in 1863, 
with Miss Emma Stone, a native of West 
Virginia, and daughter of Mr. Anson Stone, 
a native of Virginia, and a soldier of the war 
of 1812. This union was blessed with nine 
children^ five of whom are living, all natives 
of Illinois, viz.: Bertha D., Clark S., Fred 
H., Paul L., and Lillie M. After eighteen 
years of wedded life, Mrs. Smith died. Her 



loss was greatly felt by her many friends and 
her bereaved family. A beautiful character 
was hers; a devoted wife, a loving and in- 
dulgent mother, and a true Christian. She 
had long been a consistent member of the 
Methodist church. In 1882 Mr. Smith was 
again married to Miss Lizy Nesmith, a na- 
tive of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of 
Mr. Thomas Nesmith. She is a member of 
the Methodist church. While in Illinois? 
Mr. Smith was elected by the Republican 
party, Justice of the Peace, for the years 1870 
to 1874. He was also elected on the Board 
of Supervisors in that State. While in Ne- 
braska, he was selected by his party to till 
the office of Justice, in 1875. He cast his 
first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since 
adhered to the Republican party. In 1889 
his fellow-citizens elected him Justice of the 
Peace, which office he now holds. Mr. Smith 
is a careful, painstaking, conscientious officer, 
and as such is respected by all. He is a 
member of the Grange, and is strictly a tem- 
perance man. 



■*Mf« 



UFUS DANA SMITH was born at 
Newark, Caledonia County, Vermont, 
May 2, 1846. His parents were natives 
of that State. His father in early life fol- 
lowed the trade of joiner, but after forty years 
of a^e devoted himself to tilling the soil. In 
the gold excitement of 1849 he visited Cali- 
fornia, spending one year in the mines very 
successfully, then returning to his home in 
Vermont, in 1868, he moved to Minnesota 
where he died at the age of eighty years. The 
subject of this sketch, being filled with youth- 
ful patriotism, enlisted at the age of fifteen 
years, in Company K, of the Eighth Vermont 
Infantry, Colonel Thomas in command. The 
regiment was mustered in February 10, 1862, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



267 



and was immediately ordered South, going to 
Ship Island, where they joined the troops 
under General Butler and from there to New 
Orleans, then to Algiers. He was taken 
prisoner at Bayou des Allemands in Septem- 
ber, 1862; a detachment of 150 were sent 
then to guard a bridge, and they were sur- 
rounded by about 1,500 men and all captured. 
They were then sent to New Iberia on Bayou 
Teche, where they passed ten weeks in a 
prison camp and suffered terribly from short 
allowances of food and water, and the little 
food received was worm-eaten and the water 
stale and muddy. Many died from the ef- 
fects. From New Iberia they were taken to 
the Vicksburg jail, and in November, 1862, 
were paroled, and our subject joined his regi- 
ment. In 1863 they were under General 
Banks, marching through the same swampy, 
malarious district, and in April, 1864, Mr. 
Smith was discharged, owing to disability 
caused by imprisonment and exposure. He 
then returned home to recuperate, and 
February 10, 1865, re-enlisted in Company 
D, Ninth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, 
composed of veterans more or less disabled. 
They were first stationed in Northern Ver- 
mont to guard the banks and private property 
from the depredations of Rebel sympathizers, 
then living in Canada. Later they were sent 
to Washington and served as guard about the 
White House, and were mustered out at that 
place, November 18, 1865. 

The subject of this sketch then returned to 
Vermont and followed farming until 1867, 
when he was married at Barton, Orleans 
County, Vermont, January 9, to Miss Lucy 
M. Lebourveau, and in May of the same year 
they went to Spring Valley, Minnesota. He 
then farmed for five years, and, on account of 
failing health, went into a store and clerked 
four years. He never recovered from the expo - 
snreof the war, and for a milder climate went 



to Santa Barbara in 1876, and there had his 
leg amputated. After recovering, in 1877, he 
was elected Justice of the Peace, and re- 
elected in 1879, but resigned in March, 1880. 
He was then appointed Under Sheriff by G. 
E. Sherman, and later by R. J. Broughton, 
thus holding the office continuously to the 
present date. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children liv- 
ing, and have lost one son. He is a member 
of Magnolia Lodge, No 242, F. and A.M., 
and Starr King Post, No. 52, Department of 
California, G. A. R. 



|APTAIN CHARLES P. LOW, of Santa 
|inr Barbara, was born in Salem, Massachu- 
setts, in 1824, and when he was four 
years of age his parents moved to Brooklyn, 
where his father became a member of the firm 
of Seth Low & Co., merchants of New York. 
Of his parents' twelve children he has four 
brothers and one sister still living, and they 
are all in Brooklyn ; the brothers are all mer- 
chants, doing business mainly with China. 
His nephew, Seth Low, has been mayor of 
Brooklyn, and is now president of Columbia 
College. At the age of eighteen years the 
subject of this sketch began a seafaring life, 
having studied seamanship ever since he was 
twelve years old. He began before the mast 
on the Horatio and the crack East Indiaman, 
commanded by Captain Ilowland. This ves- 
sel made a ten-months trip to China. Then 
Mr. Low went to London on the packet ship, 
Toronto, Captain Griswold, of the London 
Packet Company. Then lie shipped for Rio 
Janeiro, then on the Ilouqua, Captain N. B. 
Palmer, the first clipper ship out of New 
York to China. He was a seaman for eight 
years, being third mate, second and first mate, 
and finally Captain at. the age of twenty-three 



208 



SANTA BARBARA, SAX LUIS OBISPO 



years. While Captain, in 1848, he experi- 
enced a most terrible typhoon in the Indian 
Ocean, a regular cyclone which lasted twelve 
hours and swept off the deck all the railing, 
masts and boats. The Captain was washed 
overboard, and, after being twice engulfed, 
he caught a rope, and as soon as he got his 
head above water he gave orders to cut away 
the masts, and so saved the ship from found- 
ering. As a testimonial of their approba- 
tion, the Atlantic, Sun, Mercantile and Union 
Insurance Companies of New York, pre- 
sented Captain Low with a beautiful chro- 
nometer, with this inscription: "Captain 
Charles P. Low, late Captain of the ship 
Houqna, as a testimonial of their approba- 
tion of his good conduct in saving said ship 
and cargo after having been thrown on her 
beam ends in the Indian Ocean, on the 5th of 
January, 1848, in a violent typhoon and 
nearly tilled with water; but by the extraor- 
dinary exertions of the master and crew, was 
righted and subsequently taken by them to 
her port of destination, which was 3,500 miles 
distant." 

After having arrived at Hong Kong, the 
Captain re-rigged her with his own crew, and 
after three voyages up and down the coast he 
returned to New York. There he took charge 
of the Samuel Russell, January 16, 1850, 
from New York to San Francisco, making the 
passage in 108 days — ten days quicker than 
any vessel before had made the trip. He 
carried 1,000 tons of freight, on which he re- 
ceived $60 a ton, which was more than the 
original cost of the ship. Then, by way of 
China, he completed his trip around the 
world, within the year. He next took 
charo-e of the N. B. Palmer to San Fran- 
cisco, to China and to New York, by way of 
the Cape of Good Hope. In 1859 he took 
command of the Jacob Bell and made a voy- 
age to China. Next he took command of the 



N. B. Palmer, being on board of that vessel 
twenty-one years, with the exception of the 
last trip to China referred to He has been 
around the world seven times, making twenty- 
six voyages to China, and being thirty-one 
years at sea. In 1873 he left the sea and 
came to Santa Barbara and purchased eighty 
acres of land on the mesa. In 1875 he was 
the originator of the Agricultural Associa- 
tion, of which he has been president; and he 
has also been president of the Cemetery As- 
sociation, and also the first president of the 
Young Men's Christian Association. 

He was married at Peabody, Massachu- 
setts, in 1852, to Miss Sarah Maria Tucker, 
a native of Salem, whose father was a mer- 
chant. She has also made trips to China and 
been around the world four times. They have 
five sons and two daughters. Three sons are 
in business in San Francisco. One is con- 
nected with the American Oil Company, one 
is agent for a firm in Japan, and one is in the 
hardware business; one son is a physician 
and one is at the State University. 

G. OLIVER, who owns and cultivates 
a beautiful farm on the mesa, over- 
looking the sea, was born in Clermont 
County, Ohio, in 1826. His father was a 
farmer, and in 1841 moved to Des Moines 
County, Iowa, and there continued farming. 
The subject of this sketch worked at home 
until twenty-one years of age; then, in 1850, 
he bought the farm of 160 acres of his father, 
and continued in general farming until 1854, 
when he sold out and erected a steam saw 
and grist mill at Kossuth, Iowa, which he 
operated for two years; then sold out and 
returned to farm life, purchasing eighty acres 
on Round Prairie. In the Pike's Peak ex- 
citement he fitted out an expedition for the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



26!) 



mines, driving five yoke of oxen and taking 
four persons. After traveling 130 miles 
west of the Missouri River, they were dis- 
couraged by the tide of emigration returning, 
so abandoned the project and spent the sum- 
mer near Brownsville, Nebraska, in breaking 
prairie, and in the fall he returned to his 
home at Kossuth. In 1861 he sold his farm 
and came to California, across the plains, 
driving a team composed of four yoke of 
oxen and one yoke of cows. He started April 
10, 1861, with his family, and joined other 
emigrants at the Missouri River. They were 
five months and a half en route. He sold his 
team at Little Lake Valley and at Marysvillc 
took steamer for San Franciso. He then 
went to Humboldt Bay and engaged in farm- 
in°- near the town of Areata; but, owing to 
frequent depredations by hostile Indians, he 
sold out in 1864 and went into the Napa Val- 
ley, where he engaged in farming, and later, 
in Solano County, until the fall of 1868, when 
he came to Santa Barbara. He then pur- 
chased 104 acres on the mesa, at $20 per 
acre, and engaged in general farming, being 
one of the pioneer farmers on the mesa. He 
continued farming about twelve years, then 
went into the hog business, breeding the Es- 
sex, Poland China and Berkshire breeds, fat- 
tening about 100 hogs each year, which he 
manufactured into lard and bacon. For the 
past two years he has sold his increase to the 
butchers, as, with the increasing years, the 
responsibility was greater than he cared to 
assume. He now devotes more time to farm- 
ing, and grows extensively the Chevalier bar- 
ley, with soft beard, which is more suitable 
for hay. 

Mr. Oliver was married in Kossuth, Iowa, 
in the spring of 1851, to Miss Catharine J. 
Blair. This union has been blessed with 
three children, two of whom survive: C. A. 
Oliver, a doctor in Chico, California, and J. 



B. Oliver, who is foreman of a stock ranch 
in Sonora, Mexico. 



"> « i. 5) 



fH. and R. E. BRID&E are two of the 
prominent ranchers of San Luis Obipo 
Q County. They formerly had a large 
ranch in Mexico, and farmed there one year. 
Then they sold out and came to San Luis 
Obispo County, California, and purchased 
two ranches, one of 2.200 and the other of 
320 acres. The last named property is located 
one mile south of Creston. They are engaged 
in raising grain, horses and cattle, and have 
also commenced the cultivation of fruit. 
They have fifty acres in olives, twenty-five 
acres in figs, fifteen acres in French prunes, 
and ten acres devoted to a variety of fruit. 
They are farming for profit and are making 
a grand success of it. Both gentlemen are 
valuable accessions to the county. They ex- 
pect soon to build a fiue residence on their 
ranch. 



°*-* v » 3 * ti » <t * «» 



ABRIEL RUIZ is one of the native sons 
of California, born in Santa Barbara 
County in 1817. His father, Jose Ruiz, 
was born in Mexico and came to California 
many years ago. At one time he owned 
some land where Ventura is now located, 
having had a grant of 1,000 acres of land 
from the Mexican Government for services 
rendered the government in California. The 
ancestors of the family were officers in the 
Mexican army. Mr. Ruiz has a pleasant 
home and a fine ranch of 151 acres, called 
the Santa Anita Rancho, and he also owns 
some lots in Santa Barbara; also in Ventura. 
He has always lived the life of a farmer and 
stock-raiser. They came to this locality in 



270 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



1879. Here Mr. Ruiz raises Norman and 
Richmond horses and some fine grade cattle. 
The subject of this sketch was married in 
1859 to Miss Rafaela Cota, daughter of Bal- 
entin Cota, a native of Mexico. They have 
fourteen children, all born in Southern Cali- 
fornia, and thirteen of them, at the present 
writing, make their home with their parents. 
Their names are as follows: Arthur, Dora- 
liza, Lazaro, Ulpiauo, Thomas, Albertina, 
Anzelmo, Petra, Josepha, Lucy, Balentin, Ga- 
briel and Acacia. They have all been sent 
to the English schools and can speak both the 
English and Spanish languages. All are 
members of the Catholic Church. Three of 
the sons are engaged in business. Thomas 
assists his father in the management of the 
ranch and is agent for the Spanish people in 
the vicinity of Santa Ana, acting as their in- 
terpreter and obtaining employment for them. 
He is also a fine musician, playing both vio- 
lin and guitar. He and his brothers form a 
band and furnish good music for social par- 
ties. Arthur has a saloon and the best bill- 
iard rooms in the county of Ventura. Ulpiano 
is a freighter and teamster, having a large, 
strong wagon, to which he drives four, and 
sometimes six, fine horses. They are a family 
of intelligent and refined people, and are well 
worthy the success which is attending them. 

- - « -. C\ H. ? fc J C ill / I J l '-- 

"'-"!£>'■' H il »£!**-*» 

IRUENHAGEN BROS., the pioneer 
merchants of Creston. Robert W., the 
senior brother, was born in Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin, in 1855, and Edward H. was born 
in the same place in 1859. Their parents, 
William F. and M. Gruenhagen, were natives 
of Germany, and came to the United States 
when they were respectively eight and ten 
years of age. They settled first in Milwaukee, 
and afterward in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where 



they and lived raised their family. They 
came to California, October 2, 1884, and now 
reside at Creston, San Luis Obispo County. 
The brothers opened a store, seventy-two feet 
long, and have it stocked with merchandise 
of all kinds, drugs, jewelry and farm imple- 
ments; their business extends about fifty 
miles. They own a ranch of 740 acres thirty 
miles northeast of Creston, where they are 
raising horses and cattle. 

Robert W., in 1880, was married to Miss 
Bertha Zick, a native of his own town. They 
have three children, viz.: Ed. H., Elsie 
and Robert W. Edward H. Gruenhagen 
was married in 1889 to Miss Feda Ploetz, a 
native of Wisconsin. He enjoyed the dis- 
tinction of being postmaster of the town 
during the administration of President Cleve- 
land; in politics he is a Democrat. His 
brother, Robert W.,is a Republican. 

ta t » IX » ? l t£a 3 i « to* 



R. KIRKPATRICK, of San Miguel, 
| is one of the prominent citizens of 
^S^® San Luis Obispo County, a man of 
large experience in various directions, and a 
veteran of both the Mexican and the great 
civil wars. His grandfather, John Kirk- 
patrick, was a Scotch-Irish man, who came to 
America before the Revolution, and did the 
colonists valuable service as a soldier; later 
he was in the war of 1812. He settled in 
Pennsylvania, and there his son, John L. 
Kirkpatrick, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born. He married Miss Nancy 
Larimore, also a native of Pennsylvania, and 
they have four sons and three daughters, of 
whom R. R. was the fourth child. He was 
born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, 
December 9, 1826, and as he grew he learned 
the use of carpenter's tools from his father, 
who was a boat-builder. Immediately after 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



271 



the declaration of war with Mexico he en- 
listed at Louisville in the Fourth Kentucky 
Infantry, and under the command of General 
Winfield Scott his regiment held the city of 
Mexico from January until July 4. Return- 
ing then to Louisville, he was there dis- 
charged. He was afterward at several places, 
and in two or three businesses until in July, 
1862, when he enlisted in Company A, 
Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, of which com- 
pany he was elected Second Lieutenant. In 
October, 1862, the company was mustered in 
and marched 100 miles to St. Joseph, and 
thence to St. Louis, where for a time they 
were on provost duty. From there they 
were ordered to Columbus to intercept Gen- 
eral Fori est; next they were sent to the 
White River expedition, returning to Helena. 
Soon afterward they were engaged in a tight 
at Fort Pemberton, and again at Helena. 
Mr. Kirkpatrick was then detailed with a 
company of sharpshooters, and had several 
engagements with guerrillas. When in Helena 
with about 3,000 men, they were attacked by 
General Pi ice with 25,000 men. This rebel 
General thought he had a "sure thing," and 
had been boasting that he would "eat break- 
fast in Helena or in hell." The attack was 
made at daylight, and the Union forces killed 
and took more prisoners than they had men; 
Price was defeated and failed to get the 
bounteous breakfast prepared for him by the 
citizens of Helena; their houses were tilled 
instead with wounded men. A shell in that 
engagement tore Mr. Kirkpatrick's clothes, 
but did not draw blood. The soldiers were 
sent to Little Rock and participated in taking 
that place. 

The next campaign in which Mr. Kirk- 
patrick was engaged was that of General 
Banks at Shreveport. A piece of shell struck 
him in the groin, and for a long time he was 
paralyzed. His hip was also injured at the 



same time, from which wound he never fully 
recovered. He has a pension of $12.50 per 
month from the Government. As this wound 
incapacitated him from marching, he was sent 
on detached duty as a recruiting officer in 
Iowa; and he was also engaged in conduct- 
in<j recruits and drafted men to the front. 
He also served as Quartermaster, having 
charge of Camp Distribution from Fort 
Gaines. Next he was sent to the Rio Grande, 
and finally to New Orleans to be discharged. 
In the summer of 1865 he was mustered out 
at Davenport, Iowa. 

Then he was engaged in express business 
between Omaha and Council Bluffs, making 
money; next he was in a grocery at Council 
Bluffs, and then in the ice business. In 1877 
he came with I. E. Blake to San Francisco, 
in order to establish the Continental Oil and 
Transportation Company, and Mr. Kirk- 
patrick took charge of the Oakland office five 
years. Then in 1882 he came to San Luis 
Obispo County, and filed a claim to his 
present ranch of 320 acres of choice land, 
three miles due east of San Miguel. On a 
sightly and picturesque spot on a hill, in the 
midst of trees, vines and flowers, he has built 
a pleasant and commodious residence; and 
he has a large variety of fruit trees growing 
luxuriantly, and many of them loaded with 
fruit. The prevailing sorts are peaches, pears, 
apricots, prunes, figs, almonds and filberts. 
The locality is 1,250 feet above the sea, and 
he does not irrigate. He is also raising hay 
and grain, besides horses, cattle and poultry. 
He is a Freemason and an Odd Fellow, and 
Chaplain of the G. A. R. Post at San Miguel. 
For a time he held the office of Justice of the 
Peace. Mr. Kirkpatrick is a well-informed 
gentleman, of pleasant manner, and remark- 
ably successful in his comparatively new vo- 
cation of farming and fnrit-raisine on his 
i "Pleasant Dale" ranch. 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



In 1849, in Allegheny City, he was united 
in matrimony with Miss Libby Lloyd, a 
native of that city; five of their six children 
are now living. The first four were born in 
Allegheny City, viz.: Inez, Alice, Ida and 
Albert; Ellen was born in Nebraska, and 
Libby in Sionx City. Inez married J. W. 
Ferregoy, a wholesale tobacconist of Council 
Bluff's; Alice lives with her father, and has 
160 acres of land near him ; Ida is married 
to Mr. Frank E. Shepard, and they reside at 
-Council Bluffs; Elliot is also married and 
lives on the San Marcos in this county; and 
Libby, with her husband, Charles E. Fowler, 
occupy land near their father's. After fifteen 
years of wedded life, Mrs. Kirkpatrick died, 
and in 1874 Mr. Kirkpatrick married his 
present wife, who was Mrs. Annie Walker, 
the widow of Frank Walker, and a native of 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are Pres- 
byterians. 

— ~~ ig ' HH ' S >~- 

WIFT BKOTHEES.— W. D. and 

Charles Swift, who own adjoining 
ranches in the eastern part of the 
Montecito Valley, were both born at Lyons, 
Wayne County, New York. Their father 
had passed many years as a prominent hotel- 
keeper in New York, Illinois, and later at 
Virginia City, Nevada; and in June, 1868, 
he came to Santa Barbara and purchased a 
ranch of 333 acres in the Montecito Valley. 
This part of the country was then sparsely 
settled, and scarcely a fence was to be seen in 
the valley. But by industry and perseverance 
the ranch now stands out prominently as one 
of the best in the valley for agricultural pur- 
poses. Since the father's death in 1880, the 
ranch has been divided, and the sons now 
own about 100 acres. They carry on general 
farming and devote a considerable acreage to 



beans. They are jointly interested in the oil 
wells which are now being developed near 
their ranch, in the Santa Ynez Mountains, a 
stock company carrying on the developments . 
They also have mining interests at Fort Te- 
jon, in the Santa Anita Mountains. 

W. D. Swift, be'ng unmarried, supplies a 
home for his mother, who is now seventy-six 
years of age. Charles Swift was married in 
Montecito in 1875, to Miss Laura Pettit, and 
they have two children. 



R. W. B. CUNNANE, the only resident 
physician of the Santa Ynez Valley, was 
born at Edinburgh, Johnson County, 
Indiana, in 1854. His father was a farmer 
and distiller. The subject of this sketch was 
educated at the Sturgeon High School of 
Boone County, Missouri, but was taken from 
school in 1870 to accept a position with P. 
Corrigan, who was then general roadmaster 
of the Wabash Railroad, with headquarters at 
Moberly, Missouri, remaining two years and 
learning telegraphy. He was then employed 
by the Western Union Telegraph Company, 
for five years, at stations throughout the 
southwest. Having a desire for a 'medical 
education, he employed every odd moment in 
medical studies, and in 1877 he resigned his 
position to enter the Medical University of 
Louisiana, at New Orleans, taking the three 
years' course and also the special course of 
toxicology and chemistry, graduating with 
honor in 1881. He then went to Queen 
City, Cass County, Texas, where he practiced 
for two years, and in 1883 he came direct to 
Santa Ynez, to grow up with the new town, 
which was then being established. He now 
has an extensive practice throughout the val- 
ley. In 1885 he built his present residence, 
and in September of the same year was mar- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



273 



ried, at Santa Tnez, to Miss Mabel Johnston, 
a daughter of W. F.' Johnston, an extensive 
rancher of Santa Maria and also a descendant 
of that celebrated family of Johnstons of 
Virginia. Doctor and Mrs. Cunnane have 
one child. 



-JmJ« 



P^ENRY L. WILLIAMS, the owner of 
the Ortega ranch and the founder of 
Snmmerland, was born in Massillon, 
Ohio, in 1841. His father, G. W. Williams, 
was a financier and was connected with the 
Union Bank of Massillon. In the spring of 
1861, at the age of twenty, Henry L. enlisted 
in Company A, of the Nineteenth Ohio Infan- 
try, under command of Colonel Samuel Beatty 
and Captain C. F. Manderson; the latter is 
now United States Senator from Nebraska. 
The regiment, which was stationed with the 
Army of the Cumberland, joined General 
Grant's forces on the second day of the battle 
of Shiloh. They were in the three-days' fight 
at Stone River, where one-half of the regil 
ment was lost, and were also in many smal- 
skirmishes. Mr. Williams, however, did not 
receive a scratch, although his clothing was 
many times pierced with bullets. In April, 
1863, he was appointed State pay agent for 
Ohio, and on June 30, 1864, he received the 
appointment of paymaster in the United 
States army, and was stationed with the army 
of the Cumberland, with headquarters at 
Louisville, Kentucky. He was mustered out 
of the service on November 15, 1865. He 
then became engaged in the coal business in 
Ohio, as manager and part owner of the 
mines, and remained there until the spring 
of 1776. In that year he was appointed by 
the United States Treasury Department to 
examine the books of the Collectors of Cus- 
toms through Pennsylvania, New Jersey and 



Delaware, with headquarters at Philadelphia. 
In June, 1881, he was stationed at Tucson, 
Arizona, to look after the frontier offices from 
El Paso to San Diego and Santa Barbara; 
but, finding the weather very warm at Tucson, 
he resigned October 15, 1882, and came to 
Santa Barbara, where his family were already 
settled. In April, 1883, he purchased the 
Ortega ranch, of 1,000 acres, located at the 
east end of the Montecito Valley, and has 
since made that his home. He has a small 
walnut grove and fruit only sufficient for 
family use. 

Mr. Williams brought the location of Sum- 
merfield before the public in November, 1888, 
by laying out the town and piping water 
to every lot, and advertising it extensively 
through the country. The town is estab- 
lished on the faith of Spiritualism. Already 
1,450 lots have been sold to parties from all 
over the United States, some of the purchasers 
being in Australia. Many fine cottages have 
been built, and a library of 500 volumes, with 
a building costing $4,500, has already been 
erected. A weekly newspaper named the 
Reconstructor has also been started. 

Mr. Williams has been twice married, the 
last time at Snmmerland, to Mrs. Agnes S. 
Morgan, in September, 1889. 



TOGNAZZINI, one of the most suc- 
cessful business men and dairy men of 
9 Cayucos, is the son of Swiss parents, 
and was born in the city of Ticino, Switzer- 
land, in 1847. May 26, 1864, he came to 
San Francisco after a journey from his native 
land of seventy-five days. He was the only son 
and youngest child of a family of five children. 
He was raised on a farm and attended the 
common schools, and finished his education 
in the high school. His father was a dairy 



274 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



man, and his son also learned the business. 
He was seventeen years of age when he came 
to California, and engaged in the stock and 
dairy business, having learned that California 
was a fine State for that business. Ee began 
work in Marin County, at $15 per month, 
'but afterward his wages were raised to $30 a 
month; he worked here about a year. In the 
fall of 1866 he started in business on his own 
account, having learned the Spanish language 
of Mr. Marshall, for whom he had been work- 
ing, and of whom he rented 100 cows and 
land, most of which were milch cows, and paid 
a rent of $20. That season butter was thirty 
cents per pound, and he cleared $1,100, and 
he thought himself rich. In 1868, in Marin 
County, he bought 150 cows, and rented 1,400 
acres of land, and conducted it for six years, 
from which he made some money. 

Mr. Tognazzini then came to San Luis 
Obispo County, and bought 700 acres of land, 
and has since added to it until he owns over 
1,000 acres. He bought 150 head of stock 
and put it upon the ranch, which his nephew 
conducted, while he continued the business in 
Marin County. He finally moved jhere and 
rented 2,000 acres at seventy -five cents an 
acre for five years. When he rented this land 
people thought it would prove a failure; but 
it has since proved a success. In 1881 he 
bought a ranch in Santa Barbara, consisting 
of 3,200 acres, which is one of the best dairy 
ranches in the county. He has 250 cows and 
made 505 boxes of butter in the year 1889. 
In 1884, with a partner, he purchased 7,000 
acres in Santa Barbara County, which was 
divided into dairies. 

Mr. Tognazzini was one of the incorpora- 
tors of the Commercial Bank of San Luis 
Obispo and is one of the directors. He has 
built a very pleasant home on his ranch, one 
and a half miles northeast of Cayucos, which 
is surrounded with trees and shrubs. He is 



now the owner of 1,800 acres of land in Cayu- 
ucos, on which he raises a few horses that have 
frequently taken the premium at the fairs. 
He also raises cattle and hogs. 

Mr. Tognazzini was united in marriage, in 
1867, at San Francisco, to Miss Madaline 
Reghetti, a native of Switzerland. They 
have had five children, four of whom are 
living, viz.: Virgilio Yalerio, now at college, 
studying engineering; Americo and Celia. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tognazzini are members of the 
Catholic Church. Mr. Tognazzini is a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows Lodge, and is also a 
Mason. In his political relations he is a 
Republican, and is an illustration of what an 
honest man can become in the county of San 
Luis Obispo. 

E. KILSON was born in Iowa, Jan- 
uary 29, 1857. His parents, Lewis 
Q and Caroline Kilson, were natives of 
Bergen, Norway. They emigrated to Am- 
erica in September, 1838, and went to Cin- 
cinnati, the journey at that time being a most 
arduous one. They soon afterward settled in 
Adams County, Illinois, on a farm they 
bought and improved. Later, they sold it 
and moved to Wisconsin, and, after a year 
spent in that State, removed, in 1855, to 
Butler County, Iowa. They entered 240 
acres of land for a homestead, and this they 
developed into a fine farm. They built, a nice 
home, and there resided until their deaths, 
which occurred, the mother's on November 
10, 1881, and the father's November 28, 
1889. 

The subject of this sketch was the fifth of 
a family of seven children. He was reared 
in Bristow, Butler County, Iowa, and received 
his education in the public schools of that 
town. He assisted his father on the farm 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



27.1 



until the age of twenty one years. At that 
time he came to California to carve his own 
destiny in the land that offers so many induce- 
ments to the worthy citizen, arriving in the 
Golden State Fehruary 7, 1882. He had 
already obtained some knowledge of tele- 
graphy, and his first move was to finish 
learning that business, at Pino, Placer 
County. He was afterward Jsent to Arizona 
and at different times had charge of several 
stations: was three months at Yuma, one 
year at Dragoon Summit, the highest point 
on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was 
two years at Nelson. 

Mr. Kilson was married to Miss Laura F. 
Williams, December 17, 1886. She is a na- 
tive of California. From Nelson Mr. Kilson 
moved to Saticoy on the 20th of November, 
1887. Here he has the position of ticket 
and station agent. He is an active and cap- 
able business man, and at once became iden- 
tified with the best interests of Saticoy; has 
bought property and built a neat and pleas- 
ant home, where he resides with his family. 
Mr. and Mrs. Kilson have two children: 
Lewis, born at Nelson, and Elmer, at Sat- 
icoy. 

In his political views, Mr. Kilson is a 
Republican. He is a member of the K. of 
P., Eden Lodge, No. 101, at Nelson, Butte 
County, California. 



fC. MoFERSON, one of Cambria's old- 
time citizens, and one of its most reli- 
9 able and influential ranchers, is public- 
spirited and alive to the interests of the 
community. He is also a California pioneer, 
having come to this State with the last train 
that crossed the plains in 1849. There were 
sixty people in the company, and it was con- 



ducted by Turner, Allen & Co. Every pas- 
senger paid $200 for passage and everything 
was furnished. They rode in three seated 
covered carriages, each drawn by four mules, 
and six passengers to a carriage. They ar- 
rived in Weaverville, one and a half miles 
south of Placerville, October 15, 1849. There 
is but one man living that Mr. McFerson 
knows of that came in that company, who is 
Lloyd Tevis, now a man of wealth in San 
Francisco. 

Mr. McFerson is a native of Ohio, born in 
Brown County, August 5, 1824. His father, 
Samuel McFerson, was a native of Ohio, born 
in 1789, and died in 1833. The ancestors 
of the family were from Scotland : his mother, 
Martha (Culter) McFerson, was a native of 
Ohio, and of English ancestry. His parents 
had seven children, of whom he is the 
youngest of the three now living. He was 
reared on a farm in Ohio, where he worked 
in summer and attended the county schools 
in the winter. He moved to Washington 
County, Indiana, and attended the Seminary 
there for two years. He commenced the 
study of medicine, and after a year's study 
the great California gold excitement broke 
out and he, like others, was taken with the 
fever. He went into the gold diggings in 
El Dorado County, and remained there until 
1857, meeting with good success. For one 
day's work he received $115, the most he 
ever received; a single pan contained $25; he 
frequently made $100 per day. He was 
taken with typhoid fever, and was sick at the 
camp four months; in addition to his other 
troubles he had scurvy. The first onion he 
bought cost him $1, and potatoes were $1 a 
pound. There, after his recovery, he con- 
tinued mining. He afterward purchased a 
hotel, which he operated for two years at In- 
dian Diggings, Fl Dorado County. 

August 6, 1855, Mr. McFerson was mar 



276 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



ried to Mrs. Guegnor, a native of Virginia, 
but resided in Ohio. They continued the 
hotel business for two years, when they sold 
out, in 1857, and removed to Mariposa 
County. He engaged in cutting cord-wood 
at $5 per cord for General John C. Fremont. 
There he made $10 per day, and followed the 
business for eighteen months. He then re- 
moved to Tulare County, and purchased 
eighty acres of land and engaged in farming. 
He built a house and fenced the property, 
and remained there until 1865, when he sold 
it and came to San Luis Obispo County, and 
settled on his present ranch, then unsurveyed 
Government land. Mrs. McFerson came in 
a spring wagon, driven by her son, Joseph 
Barrickman, and Mr. McFerson, with two 
others, drove the stock. She arrived first, 
and stopped at the house of George E. Long; 
Mr. McFerson was ten days on the road. 
They first lived in a little 10 x 12 log cabin. 
Mr. Long showed them the land, and they 
took 370 acres, which he still retains, and is 
conducting a stock-raising and dairy busi- 
ness. He built a nice house in 1868, and 
has planted an orchard for home use, with a 
large variety of fruit. The train with which 
Mrs. McFerson came to California was com- 
manded by Senator Hearst, who was a warm 
friend of the family, and with whom Mr. Mc- 
Ferson had been on many trips, when they 
had to sleep on the ground many nights to- 
gether. Mr. and Mrs. McFerson have helped 
to organize the Presbyterial Church at Cam- 
bria, in 1871, of which they have been faith- 
ful members since. He held Sunday-school 
in the little log school-house before the 
church was organized, and has been Sunday- 
school superintendent ever since. He is a 
trustee and elder of the Church. He is a 
member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, of which 
he has passed through all the chairs, and in 
1889 was district deputy grand master of the 



order. In his political views he has always 
been a Democrat. 



«o«-«.» k » 3 i i ; < 



HOMAS HOSMER, a resident of Mon- 
tecito, was born in Freedom, Maine, in 

^ J 1833. His father was a mechanic and 
a manufacturer of edged tools, and after 
leaving Freedom moved to Springfield, Mass- 
achusetts, where he carried on a large es- 
tablishment. Thomas learned his trade of 
machinist at Belfast, Maine, in the shop of 
Messrs. White & Kimball, who did general 
country machine work, but especially work 
for shingle and saw mills. He remained with 
them four years, and in the spring of 1858 
came to California, first settling at Sacra- 
mento, where he followed his trade for five 
years. In 1863 he became interested in a 
silver mine at Sonora, Mexico, went there and 
put up a quartz mill, and after a year of hard 
labor and much expense he gave it up as an 
unprofitable investment, and returned to San 
Francisco to follow his trade, working about 
three years for the Government at Mare 
Island, and the rest of the time in San Fran- 
cisco until the fall of 1871. In January, 
1872, he came to the Montecito- Yalley and 
purchased nineteen acres of land where he 
now resides. He began with the almond cul- 
ture, but after two years of heavy bearing 
the crop failed. He then grafted the trees 
with plums and prunes, but, not meeting with 
success, the trees were taken out and oranges 
were put in their places, which are now doing 
well. He has about 700 orange and lemon 
trees. 

Mr. Hosmer was elected Supervisor in 1884 
and re-elected in 1888, proving an able and 
efficient officer. He was married in San 
Francisco in 1863, to Miss Frances Dinsinore, 
a native of Anson, Maine, who came to Cali- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



277 



fornia with her parents in 1861, making the 
journey by steamer. Her father came to 
Montecito in 1868, bought what is now 
known as San Ysidro ranch, and planted the 
first orange grove in the valley, containing 
1,500 trees. The ranch has since been sold 
to J. Harleigh Johnston, who has brought 
the fruit to a high state of perfection. JM.r. 
and Mrs. Hosmer have lour children, three 
daughters at home, and one son, who is a 
member of the firm of Hunt, Hosmer & Co., 
of Santa Barbara. 

tEOPOLD FRANKL, the founder of San 
Simeon, is a '49er, and a prominent 
business man of San Luis Obispo County ; 
he was born in Vienna, Austria, April 7, 
1818, the son of Adolpli Frankl, a native of 
Austria, and a merchant all through his life. 
His grandfather, on the maternal side, was 
Alios Leathern, a mail-carrier in Austria for 
years, and lived to the great age of 110 years. 
Mr. Frankl's mother, Catherine (Leathern) 
Frankl, was a native of Austria. They had 
six children, of whom three are living, the 
eldest, the middle one and the second. The 
eldest is now eighty-five years of age, the 
youngest, the subject of this sketch, is seventy- 
two years. He was educated in Austria, and 
learned engineering, and worked in the mines 
in California as a mining engineer. From 
1856 to 1860 he was with General John C. 
Fremont in his mining enterprises in Mari- 
posa. He built the railroad and 100-stamp 
mill at the Benton Mines, named by Fre- 
mont after Jessie Benton, his wife's name 
before marriage. He afterward worked in 
the mines, and had 250 men at work. AVhen 
Fremont went to Europe, in 1860, Mr. Frankl 
rented the mill, and sent the gold to Kra- 
haugen & Cruse, and to Davison, agent 



of Rothschild's Bank, in San Francisco, 
General Fremont went to England to 
raise money, and the arrangements were 
about consummated when the civil war 
broke out, and the unsettled condition of the 
country prevented the closing of the business. 
In 1865 Mr. Frankl sold the" mines to T. W. 
Parks, by order of General Fremont. He 
then was engaged in the mines at Mexico, for 
Tillinghast, agent of a London mining com- 
pany, for fifteen months. He became sick 
and came to San Simeon, and for years was 
wharfinger and agent for the Pacific Steam- 
ship Company. In 1875 Mr. Frankl opened 
a general merchandise store in San Simeon, 
and has conducted it until the present time, 
enjoying a great portion of the business for 
miles around. He received the appointment 
of Postmaster in 1874, and has held the po- 
sition ever since. He sold seven leagues of 
land to Senator Hearst for $85,000, and has 
done most of the building in San Simeon. 
He also owns very valuable property, and for 
the past few years has been reducing his 
real estate; he has made lately two sales of 
$10,000 each. He has a large mercantile 
business, conducted by his nephew's in Lake 
View, Oregon. He was raised to the Hebrew 
religion, and in his political views is a Re- 
publican. 



NDREW MARTIN, one of California's 
early pioneers, was bcrn in La Fayette 
County, Missouri, in 1824; his father 
was a pioneer to that State. In 1837 they 
moved to Platte Purchase, and took up 160 
acres of heavily timbered land. Andrew pre- 
pared to leave home at the age of twenty-one 
years, but owing to his father's illness he re- 
mained at home and looked after his interests. 
June 15, 1856, he entered the Government 



178 



SANTA BARBARA, SAX LUIS OBISPO 



service at Fort Leavenworth, under Colonel 
Price, as teamster during the Mexican war, 
driving the ammunition wagon. At Taos, in 
January, 1847, he volunteered under Lieu- 
tenant Dyer, of the artillery, and fought all 
day through that engagement. A few tights 
subdued the Mexicans, and he then returned 
to Santa Fe, and later to Fort Leavenworth, 
where he was mustered out in June 22, 1847. 
The following year he worked at home, ex- 
cept four months, engaged in driving freight 
teams to Santa Fe. In July, 1848, he was 
married in Clay County, Missouri, to Miss 
Mary L. Bradbury. After spending the win- 
ter in Kansas, in May, 1850, they started 
across the plains for California, driving an ox 
team of live yoke, and one horse for his wife 
to ride. They joined a train commanded by 
John Morris, and after many hardships with 
the Indians, sickness among the company, 
cholera and short supplies, they arrived in 
California by the Carson route, having been 
four months on the road. Mr. Martin first 
mined in Amador County one winter, then in 
1851 he went to Cold Springs, where his 
camp was burned and all his effects were lost. 
In October, 1852, they came to Santa Clara 
County, and in 1853 went to Half Moon Bay, 
San Mateo County, and there remained eight 
years. They took up what was supposed to 
be Government land, but which proved part 
of a grant, and they were finally put off', thus 
losing eight years of labor during the best 
part of his life. In the spring of 1866 he 
took up land at Fescadero, San Mateo County, 
and remained there until 1873, raising hay 
and teaming in the Bedwoods, and also mak- 
ing pickets and shingles. Mr. Martin then 
passed one year in Oregon, and in 1874 came 
to Carpenteria Valley, purchasing fifty-five 
acres of valley land, which was covered with 
live-oak timber, with the exception of five 
acres. He then began clearing and planting, 



and now has a beautiful ranch, under a high 
state of cultivation. He has set out about 
seventy walnut trees, and has about 2,000 
trees in nursery. He also plants about forty 
acres in beans. 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin have five children, 
four sons and one daughter. Their present 
spacious residence was built iu 1888, under 
the assistance and direction of the sons, who 
are all at home. Mr. Martin located a home- 
stead on Mount Hor in 1887, consisting of 
120 acres, eighty acres of which is tillable 
land, and fifty acres are now under cultiva- 
tion. 



K. STEVENS, proprietor of the Palm 
and Citrus Nursery, in the west end of 
a Montecito, makes a specialty of palms 
(of which he has forty different varieties), and 
tropical fruit trees, many very delicate and 
sensitive, but his locality is rarely visited by 
frost. Banana fruit ripens on the plants; 
orange, lemon, lime, and the olive also do 
well. The ranch is well supplied by water, 
and of the 260 acres the greater part is under 
cultivation. 



*•*•§•■ 




S. WHITAKEB came to California 
in 1853, and ranks among the 
a pioneers of the State. He was born 
in Indiana, February 18, 1832, and is the 
son of John M. Whitaker. His father, who 
was born in 1802, and who is still living, was 
a member of the Legislature of Iowa fur 
twenty years off and on, and had the honor 
of selecting the State University lands. He 
married Mrs. Jane Phillips, a native of Ohio, 
and daughter of William Phillips. They 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



279 



had six children, live sons and one daughter, 
all of whom are now living. 

The subject of this sketch was reared and 
educated in Van Buren County, Iowa, and 
lived on a farm until twenty-one years of 
acre, when he came to California. He first 
engaged in mining at Dry Town, Calaveras 
County, and prospected without any success 
there; he then went to Grizzly Flats, El 
Dorado County, where he worked two years 
and saved $2,000. He was one of four men 
who took out twenty-six ounces of gold, worth 
$468, in one day. It was nothing unusual to 
take out from six to twelve ounces per day. 
This luck came to him the last winter spent 
in the mines. The first winter he spent in 
the mountains, six miles above Grizzly Flats, 
he prospected without any success, and dur- 
ing that time lie suffered a great deal, the 
snow being three feet deep. He became 
afflicted with the scurvy, and walked out 
through the snow three feet deep to Grizzly 
Flats, where he could get a vegetable diet. 
In the summer of 1856 he and his partner 
thought they had about exhausted their 
claim, and, receiving a good offer for it, sold 
out. Mr. Whitaker received $600 for his in- 
terest. The parties who bought it afterward 
took out large quantities of gold. 

Mr. Whitaker returned to Iowa with his 
money, arriving June 17, 1856; he engaged 
in the mercantile business until 1863, in 
which year he went back to California. He 
settled in Marin County, remained there dur- 
ing the winter, went to Nevada, mined and 
prospected six months, and October 7, 1863, 
came to San Luis Obispo County. He pur- 
chased a ranch, on which he lived during the 
winter, and in the spring helped organize the 
firm of Grant, Lull & Co. Mr. Lull went to 
San Francisco after goods, and while he was 
away Mr. Whitaker moved the logs of a log 
house down the San Simeon Creek and re- 



built it near the Coast road for a store. It 
was ready when the gpods arrived, the stock 
— not a large one — costing $1,800. Mr. 
Whitaker relates many interesting incidents 
which happened during his business experi- 
ence at that place. Among the goods was a 
crate of crockery, and at first they had little 
hope of disposing of it, but there was no 
crockery in the country and it proved to be 
just the thing wanted. Mr. Whitaker kept 
the cash account. One day they received 
nothing until nearly night, when a Spaniard 
came in and bought a drink oi whhky and 
saved the day! One of the partners. Mr. 
Lull, has kept that coin as a memento of the 
day's business and their little pioneer store at 
the mouth of the San Simeon Creek. One 
night, while they were at supper, an Indian 
broke into the store throiicrh the Avindow. 
When they found the store had been entered, 
they first went to the money drawer, nothing 
had been taken from it. A drunken Indian 
fast asleep on the beach was enough to tell 
the story of the robbery, and, as the tide was 
coming in, had they not found him when 
they did, he would doubtless have been 
drowned. After doing business for six 
months in this locality, they removed to 
Cambria. They built the first store at that 
place and put in $8,000 worth of goods. 
From that time Cambria began to build up. 
The first hotel was built by Mr. Rice. Mr. 
Proctor t built his blacksmith shop; and the 
work of settlement and development has gone 
on. Mr. Whitaker's firm continued the busi- 
ness until 1867. He then sold his interest, 
removed to San Simeon and took charjre of 
the wharf for the Steamship Company and 
acted as their agent. He bought the hotel 
and ran it for some time, then prospected 
and mined, and now has charge of the San 
Simeon wharf and is agent for the Pacific 
Coast Steamship Company. During the 



280 



SANTA BAB J ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



quicksilver excitement of 1875-'76, he had 
an interest in the mine with Mr. George Yan 
Gordon and others. They a made a contract 
for a new process of saving the quicksilver; 
but, after much expense, it proved a failure. 
The machine did not separate as represented. 
They lost money, hut still retain the mine, 
expecting ultimately to make it pay. 

Mr. Whitaker and his son do a dairy busi- 
ness on their ranch at the mouth of the San 
Simeon Creek — the first land he took up. 
They own 420 acres of land which joins the 
San Simeon grant — three leagues of land that 
could, at one time, have been purchased for 
$5,000. It is now worth a vast sum of 
money. The dry season of 1864 caused im- 
mense loss to the cattle men, and nearly all 
the early settlers were engaged in that busi- 
ness. The people were greatly discouraged, 
and it seemed to them that California was 
worthless, but it has since proved a wonder- 
fully productive country, and large sums of 
money have been made in the dairy and cat- 
tle business. 

Mr. Whitaker has three children, Ira R., 
Alice and Lotty. The first and second were 
born in Winchester, Iowa, and the youngest 
in San Luis Obispo County. Politically Mr. 
Whitaker is a Democrat. 

■ »=*-« "| * ini»3 " t -**' — 

H. FRANKLIN, one of Cambria's 
most active business men, being a 
9 merchant, Postmaster and Justice of 
the Peace, and President of the Board of 
Education of the county. He is a son of 
Colonel Willliam H. Franklin, now of San 
Jose, but a native of New Jersey. He served 
under General Scott, and was also a veteran 
of the great civil war, and for a time held the 
position of Provost Marshal of the city of 
Washington. He was advanced to the rank 



of Colonel in his regiment, and was several 
times wounded while in command of his men 
on the battle-field. His grandfather was 
Benjamin Franklin, a native of New Jersey, 
and his great-grandfather was the world- 
renowned Benjamin Franklin, the first Post- 
master General of the United States. His 
mother was Morgiana R. (Hurber) Franklin. 
Benjamin H. Franklin, our subject, was 
born in Philadelphia, September 1, 1856, and 
was the eldest in a family of nine children, 
only four of whom survive. He was reared 
and educated at San Jose, and is a graduate 
of the business college, high school and 
normal school. In 1876 he came direct from 
school to Cambria, where he taught school 
for two years. For a time he was engaged 
in real-estate and money lending, and pur- 
chased county warrants. He was appointed 
Postmaster in 1882, but was removed by the 
administration of President Cleveland and 
re-installed when Harrison was elected Presi- 
dent. He has been a member of the Board 
of Education of the county uearly ever since 
coming to the county. For five years he 
clerked for the firm of Grant & Tull, and at 
the same time was telegraph operator and 
Postmaster. In 1885 he opened a variety 
store, which has consequently grown until he 
now has a large general stock, the largest in 
town. When the fire broke out he owned 100 
feet on Main street, the theatre building, and 
a building rented for a saloon and his store. 
The rate of insurance had been raised to nine 
and a half per cent., and while trying to get 
the price down the fire caught him without a 
dollar of insurance. The fire originated in a 
hotel, a block from him, and he succeeded in 
saving $2,000 worth of goods, the rest was a 
total loss, amounting to about $10,000. The 
next morning after the fire he opened his 
store in the parlor of a dwelling house, and 
in five days had a building, 26 x 40 feet, into 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



281 



which he moved and conducted the only 
mercantile business in town. He has since 
added to the building thirty feet, and is 
carrying a very large line of goods. As a 
justice of the peace he makes it a point to 
have all the cases that come to him settled, 
and this does the litigants a service, saving 
both them and the county costs. He is a 
member of the Odd Fellows lodge, and has 
passed through all the chairs; he is now 
secretary of the order. Mr. Franklin has a 
ranch of 500 acres on the Santa Rosa Creek, 
run for him on shares, seven miles from 
Cambria; it is nicely improved and has on it 
about 100 head of cattle; they milk about 
seventy cows. He has a nice residence in 
Cambria, and a business block in San Luis 
Obispo, on which he has three stores, rented. 
Mr. Franklin was married in 1876, to Miss 
Mabel Runyon, a native of Colfax, on the 
Sacramento River, near where Courtland now 
stands. She is the daughter of Alexander 
Runyon, a rancher horticulturist. They have 
four children, three sons and a daughter, all 
horn in Cambria, viz.: Benjamin H., Ray- 
mond, Alexander and a baby unnamed. Mr. 
Franklin is a man of business sagacity and 
integrity, in addition to the other offices 
which he has held is trustee of the school 
board. He speaks English, Spanish and 
German. He furnishes a little music for the 
people in the Presbyterian church. It is 
questionable whether the renowned Benjamin 
Franklin had as much business on his hands 
as his great-grandson. The following story 
is told of Benjamin Franklin the first, not 
narrated in his history. It is said that when 
his father took him to church, he was annoyed 
to see his son gazing about and not appar- 
ently paying much attention to the sermon. 
He said to him when they came out, " Benj- 
amin, you pained me by the poor attention 

you seemed to be giving to the sermon; 1 
18 



don't think you know what it was about." 
'• Oh, yes, father," replied Benjamin; " I can 
tell you the text, and a good deal that the 
minister said." And he began and gave a 
nice little outline of the sermon, and when 
he stopped he said, " And now, father, I can 
tell you how many rafters, posts and collar 
braces there are in the church." And so it 
can be said of the subject of this sketch, — 
that there is not much joiner on where he is 
that he does not take in. 



-&-*h 



C. H1GGHNTS, a rancher of Carpenteria 
Yalley, was born in Galesbnrg, Illinois, 
° in 1842. His father had large farm 
interests in the locality of Galesbnrg and 
much city property. His father and mother 
are still living, each at the age of seventy five 
3 T ears, and they are looking forward to their 
golden wedding in April, 1891. P. C. Hig- 
gins was married at Galesbnrg in 1864, to 
Miss Mary Jenks, and they then moved to 
Altona, Knox County, Illinois, to take charge 
of one of his father's farms. In 1867 they 
moved to Forest, Livingston County, where 
Mr. Higgins bought 160 acres of land, and 
carried on general farming for thirteen years, 
dealing largely in hogs, which ho fattened 
for market. In 1880 they sold out and 
moved to Prairie City, Iowa, where he 
engaged in the hardware business, and re- 
mained three years. Through an unsatis- 
factory partner they made no progress, and 
in 1883 Mr. Higgins sold out and came to 
Carpenteria Yalley, where ho bought 108 
acres of cleared land, all under cultivation. 
1 1 is main crop is Lima beans, the leading 
indu>try of the valley, of which he plants 
about ninety acres, with an average yield of 
from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds per acre. Mr. 
Higgins has a bituminous rock bed on his 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



place, bordering on the sea, which, after care- 
ful examination is found to cover several 
acres in area, at an average depth of sixteen 
feet. They have taken out about 5,000 tons, 
which was used in the paving of State street 
in Santa Barbara. In boring for artesian 
water he struck natural gas, at a depth of 
500 feet, although not in paying quantities: 
still by storing it was found to burn very 
rapidly. He raises, lemons and other fruits, 
but only for home use. Mr. and Mrs. Hig- 
gins have six children, all living. 



-Jn£~f ) + 1 ~*~ 



(KANE BROTHERS are the leading 
merchants of Saticoy. The business 
*i was established by E. 0. Crane in 1886, 
he conducting it until 1889, when his brother, 
L. P. Crane, became a partner, taking a half 
interest in the business. The store was first 
located on the Telegraph road, and in 1887 it 
was removed to a point one- half mile north- 
west of where the depot now is. After the 
depot was built, as they are buyers and ship- 
pers of produce, and as the new hotel is at 
the station, they saw it would be to their in- 
terest to again move their store, and accord- 
ingly located near the station. They are now 
building a large store-room at the rear of the 
main building, making the whole depth of the 
building 110 feet. Over the store is a large 
hall which is used for public meetings. Both 
of these gentlemen are enterprising and are 
active in all measures tending to build up the 
town. Both are native sons of the Golden 
West, having been born in Ventura County, 
within a few miles of Saticoy, their father, 
J. L. Crane, being one of the earliest pioneers 
of this part of the country. (A sketch of his 
life appears elsewhere in this work.) 

E. C.Crane, the senior member of the firm, 
dates his birth in 1863. He was reared on a 



farm and educated at Carpenteria. In 1884 
he was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
E. Cross, a native of Wisconsin. They have 
three children, Cora L., Ella and Clarence. 
Mr. Crane's political views are Democratic. 
He was Postmaster under the Cleveland ad- 
ministration. Mr. Crane resides in a neat 
cottage which he built not far from their 
place of business. 

L. P. Crane, the junior member of the firm, 
received his education in the public schools 
of the county. He is a successful farmer, 
owning a fine ranch in the Santa Clara Val- 
ley, one mile from their store, and is conduct- 
ing this in addition to his other business. 
He has built a nice residence and barn and 
resides on the ranch. He was married in 
1888, to Miss Abby Brings, a native of Yuba 
County, California, and a daughter of John 
G. Briggs. They have one son, Bertie, born 
in Saticoy. L. P. Crane shares his brother's 
political views. 



fOHN BALLARD.— One of the largest 
ranches in the Carpenteria Valley is 
that owned by the estate of Andrew 
Bailard, which is under the direct manage- 
ment of his widow and John Bailard, his 
eldest son. Andrew Bailard was born in 
Germany, and came to this country in his 
boyhood, with his parents, who settled on a 
farm in Missouri. In 1853 Andrew came to 
California, across the plains, first settling in 
San Mateo County, where he purchased a 
ranch of 400 acres, and carried on general 
farming, making grain, barley, hay and po- 
tatoes the principal crops. In 1857 he was 
married to Miss Martha C. Schultz, a native 
of Missouri, who came across the plains in 
the same train with Mr. Bailard. In 1868 
Mr. Bailard sold his ranch and in August of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



28"> 



the same year lie moved his family to the 
Carpenteria Valley. He here purchased 400 
acres of wild land from Dr. Beggs, who 
owned a large Spanish grant. He at once 
began clearing and as soon as practicable 
planted corn and beans. At that time the 
small bean was cultivated, the Lima bean 
being a later production. Mr. Bailard died 
in December, 1876, leaving his widow and 
nine children. His eldest son, John Bailard, 
was born in San Mateo County, in 1859; re- 
ceived his education there and at the Santa 
Barbara College. He has taken an active 
part in the management of the ranch, which 
has since been enlarged by 100 acres that 
Mrs. Bailard inherited. The valley land has 
mostly been cleared of the live oaks since 
his father's death ; and of the 500 acres, 400 
are under cultivation, the uplands during the 
alternate years and valleys every year. The 
machinery used is of the most improved 
kind, throwing all labor possible upon the 
team rather than the driver. Two hundred 
acres of this ranch is planted to Lima beans, 
which has become the principal crop of the 
valley. Mr. Bailard has recently purchased 
forty acres more, which is largely under 
cultivation. 

In June, 1887, Mr. Bailard was married in 
Carpenteria, to Miss Kitty Cravens. 



d@ E0RGE WILLIAM PROCTOR was 
wM k° rn in East Providence, Rhode Island, 
V^ May 5, 1823. His father and grand- 
father, William Proctor, Sr. and Jr., were 
both natives of New Hampshire, and were 
the descendants of English settlers in this 
country. His mother, Betsey (Thompson) 
Proctor, was born in Andover, New Hamp- 
shire, and was a daughter of Peter Thomp- 
son, a Revolutionary 6oldier. Mr. Proctor's 



father was twice married, and he was the 
youngest of a family of four children by the 
first marriage. He was reared at Andover, 
attended the district school, worked on the 
farm and learned the blacksmith's trade. He 
then went to Ashburnham and worked with 
his brother, after which he took a contract to 
make 100 tons of railroad spikes, at Nashua. 
That completed he entered the railroad shops, 
and worked for the company three years. 
November 29, 1848, he went to work for the 
Passumpsic Railroad Company at Wells Riv- 
er, Vermont, having charge of a shop. May 
20, 1850, he commenced work for the Eagle 
Screw Company of Providence, Rhode Island. 
Next he went to Maidstone, Vermont, and 
helped to build a saw-mill, and from there 
he went to Guildhall, Vermont, where he set 
up a blacksmith shop, and continued the 
business there until 1858. 

In that year Mr. Proctor came to California. 
He engaged in work on a quartz mill at West 
Point, Calaveras County, and also became in- 
terested in mining. They had rich rock, but, 
owing to the dishonesty of some of the par- 
ties, it did not pay. From there he went to 
Pine Grove. No survey had been made at 
that place. Mr. Proctor fenced in 100 acres 
of land, and also built a shop. In 1859 he 
planted an orchard of apples, pears, and 
peaches. This property he sold, and removed 
to a place twenty- two miles from Sacramento, 
which he named Elliott. He located a quar- 
ter section of land, and built a shop, and was 
there about five years. During that time he 
did a good business and also cultivated an 
orchard, which proved a great success, this 
being the first orchard planted on the red 
land. He sold the property for $2,000, and 
removed to Cambria, San Luis Obispo County. 
Here he got land to the amount of 400 acres. 
He was a pioneer builder of the town, and 
in every way did all he could for the develop- 



284 



SANTA BARBARA, MAX LUIS OBISPO 



ment and growth of the place; built a large 
shop, aided in building the Masons 1 Hall, 
built a three-story hotel, and several other 
houses. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 
1889, and was a total loss. 

In 1880 Mr. Proctor moved from Cambria 
to near San Miguel. He took up Govern- 
ment land, and, as at other places where he 
had located, he built a shop. He for a time 
ran the shop in San Miguel, with George 
Washington Proctor, besides his shop across 
the river from San Miguel. This shop he 
ran for five years, in company with G. E 
Proctor. Now, he owtis 800 acres of land, 
six miles east of San Miguel. Other mem- 
bers of his family have 560 acres adjoining 
his, making 1,360 acres in all. A fine spring 
is located on his place. He is engaged in 
raising wheat, cattle and horces. In 1888 
Mr. Proctor built the Occidental Hotel, 
which was opened in February of that year. 
It is being conducted by his son-in-law, 
George S. Davis, who is an experienced hotel 
man, and who keeps a good house. 

Mr, Proctor married in 1844 Miss Elvira 
Cooper, a native of New York, daughter of 
Rev. David Cooper, a Universalist minister 
of Saratoga, New York. They had two 
children: Elvira E., born in Ashburnham, 
Massachusetts, now the wife of George S. 
Davis; and George E., born in Nashua, New 
Hampshire, who resides on his ranch, two 
miles east of San Miguel. After four years 
of wedded life, Mrs. Proctor died. Several 
years later Mr. Proctor married Miss Lucin- 
da T. Norris, a native of Corinth, Vermont, 
a daughter of Rev. John Norris, and they 
have had seven children. 

Mr. Proctor has been a leader; where he 
has gone others have followed. He has both 
thought and labored for the interest of the 
society in which he has lived. Has aided in 
organizing four granges in the county. In 



politics he is in favor of reform. He was 
reared a Methodist, but his religious views 
have been modified. He is a believer in one 
God, and in the principle that " If we do right 
in this world we will be all right in the next 
if there is one, and we will be all right in 
this world whether there is another or not." 
This mode of expressing his doctrine was used 
by a Unitarian minister on the occasion of 
the funeral of his beloved uncle, Hon. John 
Proctor, at Andover, New Hampshire. Mr. 
Proctor has been an Odd Fellow, a Son of 
Temperance, a Good Templar, and has helped 
to start a number of lodges and reform 
movemen's. 

• ^^^^%,^ — 

S. DUYAL, the builder and proprietor 
of the Charles Hotel, Saticoy, was 
9 born in Maine, August 4, 1858. He 
is a son E. A. Duval, mention of whom will 
be found in another part of this book, where 
the history of the family is given as far as 
known. Mr Duval came with his father to 
Saticoy in 1868, and was engaged in the 
general merchandise business, under the name 
of Crane & Duval, for two years. He sold 
his interebt and purchased lots of the Pacific 
Improvement Company, with the under- 
standing that he would build a hotel for 
the accommodation of their trains. He ac- 
cordingly erected the Charles Hotel, 56 x 100 
feet, two stories high, having a balustrade on 
three sides, and containing twenty-five rooms. 
It was built at a cost of $12,000, and was 
opened to the public June 2, 1889, being the 
first hotel in this part of the valley. After 
being snccssfully conducted for eight months, 
it was destroyed by fire. The cook upset a 
pot of lard on the range, and, there being a 
strong wind blowing, the whole house was 
soon in flames. Their best efforts to save 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



285 



the building was ineffectual, only a portion 
of the foundation being left. The property 
was insured for $8,000, which the company 
paid in full; and Mr. Duval commenced the 
erection of a new building; on the 3d of March, 
1890, which was opened for business April 
4. It contains eighteen rooms and is suit- 
ably finished and furnished throughout. It 
is the eating-house for the traveling public 
between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, 
trains stopping for both dinner and supper. 
This house is being conducted in a first-class 
way, and Mr. Duval, by his genial and ac- 
cormnodating manner, has secured a good 
patronage. 

Mr. Duval was married in 1879 to Miss 
Mary E. Knox, a native of Iowa, and daugh- 
ter of John Knox of that State. This union 
has been blessed with three children, Elmer 
H., Lawrence and Melvin, all born at Sat- 
icoy. 

Mr. Duval belongs to the Regulators of 
Santa Clara Valley. In politics he is Re- 
publican. 



F. MADDOX, one of the business 
men of Nordhoff, is a native of Ken- 
a tucky, born in Pendleton County, Jan- 
uary 12, 1844. He is a son of William 
Maddox, a native of Ohio, who for many 
years resided in Kentucky, was married to 
Miss Brandenburgh, and lived on a planta- 
tion. Mrs. Maddox died of cholera in 1857. 
His father was afterward married to a second 
wife, and was the father of eighteen children, 
ten by his first wife and eight by the second, 
all except two living to adult age. 

When the subject of this sketch was ten 
years of age the family moved to Illinois. In 
December, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 
Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as 



a private soldier, and participated in all the 
engagements of the West from Fort Henry 
to Fort Donelson, the battle of Shiloh, the 
advance on Corinth and the battle of Corinth 
in 1862. He was with General Sherman on 
his memorable march from Atlanta to the 
sea, and was at Washington during the grand 
review, when the magnificent victorious army 
made its triumphant inarch through the 
great capital of the country their deeds of 
valor had saved. Mr. Maddox received no 
wound, but suffered much from diarrhoea, 
from the effects of which he has never fully 
recovered. Four of his brothers were also 
in the Union army, one of whom lost his life 
and another came near dying in prison. 

At the close of the war Mr. Maddox was 
mustered out, and went to Kansas, where he 
took a Government claim which he improved 
and on which he lived until 1874. In that 
year he came to Ventura County, California. 
Mr. Maddox was a carpenter, and worked at 
his trade five years in Ventura, where he met 
with a very slight accident which resulted in 
the loss of the use of his right hand. He 
received a wound from a scratch-awl, and 
went to a physician to have something ap- 
plied to remove the soreness. The doctor 
injected carbolic acid, full strength, and blood 
poisoning did the rest, causing Mr. Maddox 
to be a cripple for life. He then took up a 
small piece of land in the Matilija Canon on 
Ventura River, and kept an apiary. He was 
there elected road commissioner, and held the 
office eight years. In 1886 he came to Nord- 
hoff, purchased a lot, and erected a very 
pleasant home. He also bought another lot 
and built a livery stable, and dealt some in 
real estate, being very successful in his trans- 
actions. His livery stable is now the only 
one in the town. It is well equipped through- 
out, Mr. Maddox keeping sixteen horses and 
ten conveyances. He has one team composed 



266 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



of tine grays, .Richmond stock, that being 
considered the best stock in the country. 

In 1872 Mr. Maddox was married to Miss 
Jennie R. Whaley, who was born in Canada, 
and is a daughter of William Whaley, a 
native of Ireland. Their union has been 
blessed with two sons and two daughters — 
Lela, Eugenia, Harry E. and Foster F. In 
political matters Mr. Maddox is a Democrat. 
His wife is a member of the Presbyterian 
church. , 



fOHN PYSTER.— On the county road, 
about two miles east of Carpenteria, lies 
the fine ranch of John Pyster, who was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1840. He 
worked on the farm of his father until eight- 
een years of age, when he came to America, 
and went to Northern Wisconsin, where he 
worked at farming two years. He then went 
to Jefferson County, New York, and worked 
for one farmer three years. In 1863 he came 
to California, and was occupied as circum- 
stances offered during the first year. He 
then went to Half Moon Bay and rented a 
farm of 200 acres of Mr. Andrew Bailard, 
doing general farming and remaining until 
1869, when he came to the Carpenteria Val- 
ley, working one year for Mr. Bailard, who 
came down in 1868. In 1870 Mr. Pyster 
purchased adjoining land to the amount of 
191 acres, of Dr. Biggs, who owned the 
Spanish grant. The land was all wild and 
largely covered with brush and live-oak which 
abounded all through the valley. He imme- 
diately began clearing and cultivating and 
putting in the standard crops of the valley — 
beans and barley. Mr. Pyster inherited the 
thrift and industry of his country, and now 
possesses one of the finest large farms of the 
valley. He is a breeder of a fine class of 



farm and draft horses, and his stallion " Mon- 
tebellc, Jr.," a Belgium horse, is one of 
great beauty, is four years old and weighs 
1,750 pounds. 

Mr. Pyster was married in Santa Barbara, 
November 15, 1870, to Miss Christiena Lieb, 
a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. They 
have five children, four sons and one daugh- 
ter, all at home. Mr. Pyster is quite up 
with the times in his agricultural work, and 
is now (May, 1890) putting in thirty-five 
acres of beans of choice varieties, for seed 
purposes, to supply the seed-store of George 
Haskell & Co., of Rockford, Illinois, they 
finding the seed grown in California to be of 
better quality than that grown in the East. 



fW. ROGERS, a resident of the Carpen- 
teria Valley, was born in Pern, Clinton 
315, ° County, New York, in 1825. He was 
the youngest son of a family of seven chil- 
dren, all of whom are now living excepting 
the eldest son, who went south in early life 
and was stricken with yellow fever. At the 
age of two years, with his parents he moved 
to Boston, Massachusetts. His father was 
then connected with a manufacturing house, 
and introduced the first cast-iron plow into 
the State of Maine. As agent for a Boston 
firm he was also interested in the lumber 
business. In 1841 he moved his family to 
Augusta, Maine, on account of his lumber 
interests; was very successful, owned a ranch 
of 1,000 acres, and also owned a line of coast 
schooners which operated between Augusta, 
Boston and New York; but owing to a terri- 
ble freshet his lumber interests suffered to 
such an extent as to wipe out all of his accu- 
mulations. 

J. W. Rogers was educated at the public 
schools of Boston, after which he took charge 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



287 



of his father's fnrm, which adjoined the city 
of Augusta, carrying on dairying, general 
farming and raising stock, etc. In 1852 he 
was married in Augusta, to Miss Charlotte 
C. Kenney, and together they passed the fol- 
lowing winter in Virginia. In the spring 
they went to Wisconsin, where Mr. Rogers 
took up 160 acres of Government land, and 
for seven years was engaged in general farm- 
ing. While living in Illinois he deeded to 
the Home for the Friendless, of New York 
city, one farm of 120 acres, and Mrs. Rogers 
became a life member of the society, and also 
a member of the Chicago Home for the 
Friendless, for the support of which institu- 
tion she has contributed and also raised 
moneys from friends. In 1860 Mr. Rogers 
sold out and returned to the East, and in 
1862 he brought his parents to Fairbury, 
Livingston County, Illinois, where Mr. Rogers 
purchased a small farm near the town, and 
also town property, and there remained until 
1880, interested in gardening and the dairy 
business. The next year he passed in Mon- 
tana, and his health failing- there he came in 
1881 to California. He purchased thirteen 
and a fourth acres of land in the Carpenteria 
Valley, which was at that time covered with 
dense underbrush and live-oaks. Mr. Rogers 
built a small house in the brush and then 
worked himself out. He now has one of the 
finest and most productive small ranches in 
the valley. He has since added to his resi- 
dence, and in place of the brush it is sur- 
rounded with flowers and fruit. Mr. Rogers 
keeps four horses and three cows; and his 
6trong growth of barley, beans, vegetables, 
alfalfa and corn bears evidence of the quality 
of his soil. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have an adopted son 
which they took in infancy. They are also 
bringing up a colored girl who was left an 
orphan. In conclusion we state that Mr. 



Rogers has just deeded a handsome lot, 
50 x 150 feet, to the Methodist Episcopal 
society for church purposes, upon which is 
now erected a beautiful little chapel, where 
services are held every Sunday. 

m T. WEBSTER— At the east end of the 
Wit Carpenteria Valley lies the beautiful 
"s^® ranch of L. T. Webster, who was born 
on the shore of Lake Erie, in Lorain County, 
Ohio, in 1845. His father was a farmer, 
making the production of fruit his chief bus- 
iness. At the age of nine years his parents 
moved to Wisconsin, and his father pur- 
chased a small farm near Madison. At the 
age of fifteen years young Webster started 
out in life for himself. He first went to 
Iowa and began work on a farm, but with 
the firing on Fort Sumter his loyalty was 
aroused, and, though a mere boy, he enlisted 
in Company E, of the Second Iowa Infantry, 
for three years, under command of Colonel 
Curtis, Captain McCullough being in charge 
of the company. The regiment was engaged 
with the Western army and was at the battle 
of Fort Donelson, where 209 men were 
killed and wounded from their regiment, this 
being their first heavy battle. They were at 
the battle of Corinth; and at Shiloh the regi- 
ment sustained a severe loss, Company E go- 
ing in with thirty men, nineteen of whom 
were killed and wounded. At the end of 
three years Mr. Webster was mustered out at 
Louisville, Kentucky, and returned home for 
the summer, but in the fall he again enlisted, 
in the Second Ohio Cavalry, under Colonel 
Nettleton. They were stationed in Virginia, 
Maryland and around Washington, but were 
in no engagements, and were mustered out 
at St. Louis in September, 1865. Mr. Web- 



288 



SANTA BARB ABA, SAN LUIS OBISBO 



ster then returned to his home in Ohio, and 
resumed farming. 

In the fall of 1871 he was married to Miss 
S. E. Hammond, a native of Ohio. In the 
spring of 1881 they came to California, set- 
tling, in the fall of that year, in the Carpen- 
teria Valley, where they purchased sixty 
acres of valley land as level as a floor. The 
farm was somewhat improved, a house and 
barn having been built on the place. Mr. 
Webster had done much to increase its pro- 
ductiveness, and it is now in a high state of 
cultivation. He has a fine walnut grove of 
thirty-one acres, six acres in a variety of 
fruits for family use, and two acres in alfalfa, 
which, at each cutting, produces about two 
tons to the acre. Pie plants six acres to corn 
and thirty-four acres to beans. The beauti- 
ful condition of this ranch is a significant 
history of the success which has attended its 
owner. Mr. and Mrs. Webster have two 
children, both living at home. 



-' V ' in iy^. 

jILBEKT MIDDAGH is one of the old- 
time Californians. He came to the 
State in 1854, and to his present ranch 
in 1869. While driving the corner stake in 
the homestead claim Mr. Middagh had taken, 
the Government surveyor stopped and said: 
"That's right. You're all right. Stick to 
it." And he has strictly followed the advice 
given him, and has not only stuck to it, but 
has added to the ranch until he now owns 
three-quarters of a section of land. They 
gathered a little drift wood and erected a 
temporary structure which they covered with 
the wagon cover. This crude affair served 
for a house until their nice little adobe home 
was finished. It stands near the stream, be- 
side a huge white oak, which now measures 



fifteen feet and eight inches around the trunk 
and its branches extend eighty-one feet in 
width. Here they planted the fig and the 
vine until the house is embowered with fruit 
tree, vine, shrub and flower, and it forms a 
quiet, snug little home to which Mr. Mid- 
dagh returns from his broad acres when his 
day's work is done. 

He has engaged in fruit culture and has a 
fine orchard now in bearing, principally 
grown from the seed planted and budded by 
his own hands, and in this work he takes 
just pride, pleasiire and profit. Few realize 
the hardships and self-denials that the pio- 
neer had to undergo. The nearest place from 
which they could obtain supplies was Port 
Harford, and that was forty-five miles dis- 
tant. One of the first improvements made 
on this ranch was a well, from which the wife 
lifted the dirt in an iron kettle. The well 
was completed and has since done good ser- 
vice. Mr. Middagh has trees that he planted 
ten years ago which now measure three feet 
and ten inches in circumference. Fruit trees 
seven years old, grown from the seed, meas- 
ure two feet and four inches around, and are 
loaded with fruit. 

Mr. Middagh's ancestors came from Hol- 
land and Germany. His grandfather, Martin 
Middagh, was a Revolutionary soldier, and a 
lieutenant at the battle of Bunker Hill. Dur- 
ing that conflict he was struck in the face by 
a ball which carried away some of his teeth. 
His father, George Middagh, participated in 
the warof 1812. His motherwas Mary(Goble) 
Middagh, and both his parents were natives 
of Pennsylvania. His own birth occurred in 
Canada, October 29, 1826, and he is one of 
a family of nine children, only three of whom 
are now living. On account of his American 
sentiments his father had to leave Canada in 
1837, and, with his family, located in Illi- 
nois. From there he went to Iowa, was a 



;IND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



pioneer of both States, and, of course, school 
opportunities for his family were limited. 

In 1854 the subject of this sketch went to 
Shasta County, California, and engaged in 
mining two years. He then removed to 
Oregon, and both mined and farmed there 
for thirteen years. When he went to Ore- 
gon he had two old horses and twenty-five 
cents in money, and when he left, in 1869, 
he had saved $1,000. In that year, as al- 
ready stated at the beginning of this sketch, he 
located in San Luis Obispo County, California. 

In 1852 Mr. Middagh married Miss Mary 
Huston, a native of Burlington County, 
Hanover Township, New Jersey. Her 
father was Robert Huston, a native of Ire- 
land, and his father was a Scotchman who 
settled in Ireland and was killed there in the 
time of the Rebellion, and his head was 
placed on a pole. His family escaped to 
America. Mrs. Middagh's grandfather 
Sherry, on the maternal side, was a Highland 
Scotch drummer-boy in the English army in 
the Revohttionary war, and deserted to join 
Washington and the cause of the Colonies. 
With his clothes tied on his back, he swam 
across a river to reach the American lines. 
He was with Washington at Valley Forge. 
His feet were protected with some old rags 
tied around them, and he was wounded in 
the ankle. After peace was declared he set- 
tled in New Jersey. 

Mr. and Mrs. Middagh have had five chil- 
dren. All are now deceased except one 
daughter, Mary Abigail, who resides with 
them. She has 160 acres of land adjoining 
her father's property, on which she is raising 
stock. Mr. Middagh is raising horses and 
cattle. His farm products are grain and hay. 
He has a sample of Egyptian oats, grown on 
his place, that measures seven feet in length. 
One stool of wheat contained twenty-six 
heads, with 100 grains to the head. 



Mr. Middagh is apolitical reformer. He is 
a Granger, and is treasurer of the Farmers' 
Alliance, a new society recently organized at 
Estrella. 



°*- nX » S t ^ " A 1 *-* 0, 



APTAIN C. J. CURRIER, a veteran 
,, of the late war, is a prominent citizen 
of San Miguel, having a large ranch in 
that vicinity and being United States Pen- 
sion Agent at San Francisco. He is a native 
of Derry, New Hampshire, born September 
19, 1844. His father, David Currier, is also 
a native of that State and a banker of the 
city of Derry for thirty years, where he 
raised his family. The Captain, the seventh 
of nine children, was educated at Pinkerton 
Academy in his native town, and was but little 
past sixteen years of age when the country 
was plunged into a great war. He endeav- 
ored to enlist, but was rejected on account of 
his youth and the strenuous opposition of 
his parents. As the great struggle pro- 
gressed his interest increased and his zeal 
fired up at the news of each battle, and in the 
spring of 1862, when not yet seventeen years 
of age, he broke over all restraints and en- 
listed as a private soldier in Company I, 
Eleventh New Hampshire Infantry, and was 
assigned to the Ninth Army Corps, under 
command of General Burnside. In three 
months he was promoted to be Second Lieu- 
tenant of his company. His regiment had 
been in several skirmishes, but in no decisive 
battle until December 12 and 13 at Fred- 
ericksburg, when they were put to the test 
and their gallantry and bravery were dis- 
played. Of the survivors none fought more 
gallantly than our Lieutenant, and his serv- 
ices were fittingly recognized at the time by 
his superior officers. In the spring of 1863 
his regiment was sent to the West and was 



290 



SANTA BARBARA, SAW LVIS OBISPO 



under the command of General Grant as long 
as Captain Currier was able to remain in it. 
The regiment took part both in the siege and 
the capture of Yicksburg and pursued General 
Joseph E. Johnston. In November Mr. Cur- 
rier was at the siege of Knoxville, and in the 
campaign in Virginia in 1864. On the sec- 
ond day of the battle of the Wilderness, in 
May, 1864, Captain Currier, commanding 
his company in advance of their line, was 
cheering on his men. In the assault the 
Captain fell with a bullet in his face, and 
after temporary treatment on the field he 
was sent to the hospital at Washington. As 
soon as he recovered he joined his regiment 
and for his bravery was promoted First Lieu- 
tenant and soon afterward Captain. He was 
at the siege and battle of Petersburg; at the 
battle of Poplar Grove Church. September 
30 he was twice wounded, one ball striking 
him in the hip and one in the jaw. The lat- 
ter passed through his head, taking out part 
of his jaw and most of his teeth, and cutting 
his tongue nearly in two. He lay on the 
battle-field four hours, crawling slowly and 
painfully to the rear, as the balls of the con- 
tending forces were passing over him. At 
night he was picked up nearly dead, cared 
for, and the second time sent to the hospital 
at Washington. Lying on the field, wet and 
cold induced rheumatism, with which he has 
ever since suffered to some extent. The war 
closed before he was able to leave the hos- 
pital. He was twice brevetted for bravery — 
once at the battle of the Wilderness and once 
at the battle of Poplar Grove Church. As 
soon as he was able, he accepted a position, 
after being mustered out, as clerk in the War 
Department at Washington, where he re- 
mained a year. He was then commissioned 
Second Lieutenant of the Twenty-first In- 
fantry. In 1869 his regiment, commanded 
by General Stoneman, came to California. 



He remained with it until 1870, when he re- 
signed his commission and retired to private 
life. 

In 1874 he came to San Luis Obispo 
County, purchased a ranch of 1,000 acres and 
engaged in stock-raising. His home is a 
quiet retreat on the Salinas River, about a 
mile northeast of San «Miguel, but since his 
appointment as pension agent he has to spend 
much of his time in San Francisco. He is a 
member of the G. A. R. at San Miguel, In- 
dependent Order of the Loyal Legion and 
also of the Odd Fellows Encampment and 
Masonic Chapter. He still carries in his 
cheek a dimple made by that rebel ball, which, 
however, in no way detracts from his fine, 
gentlemanly personal appearance. It is in- 
deed as graceful as a physical defect can be. 
In his political principles he is an ardent 
Republican, but he has declined office. He 
and his wife are members of the Episcopal 
Church. 

In 1869, at Manchester, New Hampshire, 
he was united in matrimony with Miss 
Nataline Smith, a native of Providence, 
Rhode Island, and daughter of Waterman 
Smith, president of the First National Bank 
of Manchester. They have a son and daugh- 
ter, both born in San Francisco, namely: 
Charles Waterman, who graduated with 
honor in the class of 1889 at the California 
Military Academy at Oakland; and Harriet 
Nataline, at present a pupil of Snell's Sem- 
inary in Oakland. 

..0 s i. ,r -S). 

fOSEPH HO BART is a pioneer of the 
State of California and one of the most 
prominent horticulturists of the Upper 
Ojai Valley. His life history would make a 
book of most interesting reading, but in the 
short space allowed in a work of this charac- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



291 



ter only a brief outline can be given. He 
comes of hardy New England ancestry; and 
in the early pioneer days of California, only 
the men of strong will power braved the 
dangers of the long journey to the far West 
and, once there, stayed and helped to make 
the country what it is to-day; and it is to 
their indomitable qualities that California 
owes the proud position she now occupies 
among the sisterhood of States. 

Mr. Hobart is a native of Abington, 
Plymouth County, Massachusetts. His 
father, Benjamin Hobart, was a native of 
the same town, was a graduate of Brown 
University, Providence, Rhode Island, later 
became a manufacturer and made the first 
tacks ever made in the United States. He 
was a member of the Congregational Church. 
His death occurred in 1875. Mr. Hobart's 
grandfather, Colonel Aaron Hobart, »was 
born in the same town, and was a foundry- 
man. He cast cannon to be used in the 
Revolutionary war. The original ancestor of 
the family in America landed at Hingham, 
Massachusetts, in 1632, and was one of the 
first pastors of the Hingham Church. Mr. 
Hobart's mother, nee Deborah Lazell, was a 
descendant of the Huguenots, and was the 
mother of twelve children, five daughters 
and two sons still living. Mr. Hobart re- 
ceived his education at the Phillips (Exeter, 
New Hampshire,) Academy and at the 
Leicester Academy, Massachusetts. Being 
feeble in health and afflicted with asthma, he 
was advised to go to 6ea, and his second voy- 
age brought him to San Francisco, in 1849. 
He returned to that city in 1856, and, in 
company with his brother, engaged in the 
wholesale boot and shoe business, which 
proved a success and which they conducted 
until 1864. He then sold his interest and 
went to New York and Boston, and in 1871, 
health again failing, returned to San Fran- 



cisco. Being troubled with asthma, he then 
came to Southern California, first to Santa 
Barbara and then to Upper Ojai Valley. Be- 
ing delighted with the country, and finding 
it conducive to health, he purchased 441 
acres of land on which he built and planted 
and on which he has since resided. The 
altitude of this land is 1,100 feet above sea 
level, and it is located four miles east of the 
village of Nordhoff. With him everything 
was experimental, and those who have not 
experienced the disappointments and failures 
know nothing of the difficulties under which 
the early settlers labored; but intelligent in- 
dustry has gained the victory, and Mr. 
Hobart now has one of the finest fruit 
ranches in this beautiful valley. During his 
eighteen years' residence in the Ojai Valley 
he has never had an attack of asthma. He 
has 1,500 large bearing apricot trees, loaded 
with fruit; 1,000 French prunes in the same 
fine condition; 1,000 almond trees also bear- 
ing abundantly, and a large orchard devoted 
to a geueral variety of delicious fruits He 
keeps his ranch in a most excellent condi- 
tion, has his own fruit-dryer, and has a nut- 
huller of his own invention that makes hull- 
ing of the nuts quite easy. To give an idea 
of the productiveness of the land we state 
that, in 1888, from 285 almond trees, Mr. 
Hobart sold $784 worth of nuts, and the 
prospect is still better this year. Mr. Hobart 
has also given some attention to the raising 
of fine horses and cattle, principally for his 
own use. 

The subject of this sketch was married in 
1860, to Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson, a native 
of Philadelphia, a Quaker, and a lady of 
Scotch-English descent. This union has been 
blessed with two daughters, Margaret and 
Gertrude. Their oozy California home, em- 
bowered with trees and vines, at once denotes 
the intelligence and refinement of its inmates. 



292 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Mr. Hobart is a gentleman pleasant in his 
manner and pronounced in his ideas on all 
subjects. He takes an active interest in 
educational matters, and is School Trustee of 
his district. He is a decided Republican, 
and a man of influence in the county. 



4H*« 




W. BLUMBERG is the proprietor and 
manager of the Ojai Hot Springs, in 
the Matilija Canon, located fifteen 
miles from Ventura and five miles from 
Nordhoff. Here Mr. Blumberg has what 
might be called a village for the sick, the 
halt and the invalid of every description, 
and here are located three springs. The Hot 
Sulphur Spring is 104° and is impregnated 
with sulphate of soda, magnesia and other 
healing properties, and is the safest and most 
healing to be found. Every one who has 
tried its efficiency speaks in the most em- 
phatic manner of the benefits derived. An- 
other fine spring is called the Fountaiu of 
Life, which is tonic in its effect. The third 
spring Mr. Blumberg calls the Mother Eve 
spring. It is alterative and cathartic in its 
effect. It is one of the unexplained mys- 
teries of nature how these delightful health- 
giving fountains should flow from our benefi- 
cent mother earth in the same locality. The 
canon in which the little health town is 
located has a beautiful, clear mountain 
stream, the San Buenaventura River, run- 
ning through it, filled with a great many shy 
little trout, that all can fish for but only the 
expert can catch. This romantic spot is 
hemmed in by mountains 1,000 feet high on 
either side, and those who enjoy wild and 
rugged scenery can here find a place of de- 
light. It is about nine hundred feet above 
the sea, and is completely shut in from the 
breezes of the great Pacific, fifteen miles 



away. Mr. Blumberg has eighty acres of 
land, in the center of which he has built the 
Matilija House, which is designed with 
kitchen, dining-room, parlor and office, near 
which are five or six cottao-es in which 
guests may have the quiet of home. There 
are also some tents, the bath-house, a store 
and postoffice, all built and conducted by Mr. 
Blumberg, who is also the Postmaster. He 
is an enterprising business man, well in- 
formed, pleasing in his manner, and takes 
great pains to look after the comfort of his 
guests. Consequently, his resort is fast be- 
coming a popular one. 

The subject of this sketch was born in 
Roxbury, Delaware County, New York, July 
9, 1836, the son of Christopher Blumberg. 
His grandfather, George Blumberg, came 
from Germany, was detained in the British 
army, and afterward became a settler of Del- 
aware County, New York. Mr. Blumberg's 
mother, nee Jane Mackey, was a native of 
New York. Her father, Thomas Mackey, 
was also born in the same State. They were 
of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Blumberg received 
his education in New York, and afterward 
went to Iowa, where he was admitted to the 
bar. In 1872 he came to California, and 
after residing in Los Angeles one or two 
years came to Ventura County, where he 
has since remained. He built the first hotel 
in Nordhoff, for which he received the twenty 
acres of land on which it stands. He ar- 
rived in Nordhoff January 12, 1874, and at 
that time the town was in the embryo state. 
Mr. Blumberg named the hotel which he 
built The Nordhoff, but it has since been 
called the Ojai House. For three years he 
was its proprietor and conducted it success- 
fully. The land for the town site was bought 
for $4.25 per acre, and sixteen years later 
Mr. Blumberg sold one-fourth of an acre for 
$5,000. He still has considerable real-estate 



AND VEN1URA COUNTIES. 



293 



interests in the town. He started the Hot 
Springs enterprise January 20, 1887. 

Mr. Blumberg was married in 1859, to 
Miss Catherine E. Vancuren, a native of 
New York, daughter of Calvin Van Curen, 
also a native of New York. Their union 
has been blest with five children, four of 
whom are living, viz.: Inez ()., Wheeler 
C, Birdsel W. and Irene M. The last 
named was the first child born in Nordhoff. 
Mr. Blum berg is a Republican and was 
elected Justice of the Peace by his party. 
He is a Master Mason. 

.»» »i y » l * < £ * a '»-«°* 



JilLLINGSTON & PERRY. — Among 

Wfn the progressive developers of Santa 
«SS^ Barbara County the firm of Lillingston 
& Perry holds a prominent place. All who 
visit the beautiful valley of Carpenteria 
should take that lovely drive up through the 
Lillingston Canon, which is suggestive of the 
primeval forests, with its dense underbrush 
and its gnarled and twisted live-oaks which 
have stood the storms of centuries. Far 
back in the canon lies the "Glen Rosa" 
Ranch and ostrich farm, which was started 
by Mr. Lillingston in 1885, at which time he 
made the purchase. The ranch is composed 
of 160 acres, largely mesa and upland. He 
carried on general farming until September, 
1888. when he sold a half interest to Mr. 
Perry, his fellow countryman, and together 
they conceived the idea of starting an ostrich 
farm. They purchased four fine birds from 
Mr. E. Cawston, of the Norwalk Ranch, near 
Los Angeles. Two of the birds were im- 
ported from Africa and are now eleven years 
old. The other two are eighteen months old, 
and were raised in California. The birds 
were placed on the ranch in October, 1889, 



and are now (May, 1890,) laying and doino- 
well. 

During the year 1890 Mr. Perry bought 
another ostrich ranch, at Santa Monica, Los 
Angeles County, where there are about thirty 
birds, in fine condition. 

Mr. Lillingston was born in London, Eng- 
land, in 1861, and before twelve years of age 
had circled the world in his travels with his 
parents. His father, Rev. F. A. C. Lillings- 
ton, is a prominent clergyman of the West 
End of London. Mr. Lillingston was edu- 
cated in the Haileybury College of England, 
and afterward studied in Germany. In 1878 
he entered the National Provincial Bank of 
England, going in as clerk and rising to as- 
sistant cashier, remaining seven years. In 
1885 he came to California. 

Mr. Harold Burder Perry was born in Lon- 
don, England, in 1869. His father was editor 
and proprietor of Perry's Gazette, a bankruptcy 
journal of great prominence. Mr. Perry 
was educated at the Repton School, and 
came to America in 1887. The next year, 
as already stated, he purchased an interest in 
the "Glen Rosa" Ranch. 

' — *** "' ik * ? ' ' S * IS" -*"* — 



S. SUTTON was born at Romulus, 
Seneca County, New York, in 1828. 
9 Be was educated at the Ovid Academy, 
at Ovid. His father was a farmer, and to 
this calling the subject of this sketch was 
reared, and has followed through life. After 
remaining at home until twenty-three years 
of age, he started out for himself, first groiner 

° DO 

to McLean County, Illinois, where he pur- 
chased 242 acres of prairie and timber land, 
and engaged in general farming, raisin »• corn, 
cattle, hogs, etc. In 1863 he sold out and 
went to Livingston County, sinie State, near 
the town of Forest. He there bought 200 



294 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



acres and carried on the same class of farm- 
ing, until 1873, when he again sold out and 
came to California. Pie first stopped at 
Yentura, but in November, 1873, he came to 
Carpenteria and bought forty acres of land. 
This he immediately improved by building a 
house and barns. During the boom of 1877 
he sold thirty acres, continuing to hold ten 
acres, which is largely devoted to alfalfa and 
orchard. 

Mr. Sutton was married in Bloomington, 
Illinois, in 1854, to Miss Mary Barnard, a 
native of Ohio, who moved with her parents 
to Illinois in 1840, being among the first 
pioneers. They have five children, all of 
whom are living. 



A. CRAVENS.— Among the Califor- 
nia nia pioneers of 1849 was T. A. Cra- 
Q vens, who was born in Marion, Ala- 
bama, in 1828. His father, Jesse P. Cravens, 
was a physician and surgeon of Marion, and 
enjoyed a large practice. T. A. Cravens was 
educated in Marion, and at the age of twenty- 
one, during the California gold excitement, 
started on that long, tedious journey across 
the plains, taking the southern route, through 
New Mexico and Arizona. Upon his arrival 
in California he went to the mines on the 
American River, and there, and at other 
points, he was engaged in placer mining for 
about two years, with reasonable success. 
He then went to Eureka and engaged in lum- 
bering, owning his own saw-mills and remain- 
ing about three years. In January, 1856, 
Mr. Cravens was married in Marysville, 
Yuba County, to Miss Elizabeth Humes, a 
native of Missouri. They then went to 
Plumas County, and Mr. Cravens again en- 
gaged in placer mining, about three years. 
In 1859 they removed to Sonoma County 



and purchased a farm of 160 acres, and car- 
ried on general farming until 1865, and in 
Monterey County, until 1868, when they 
came south, spending the winter in Los An- 
geles, and in the spring of 1869 locating in 
the Carpenteria Valley, where they purchased 
a ranch of sixty acres, on which was a small 
adobe house. Land was mainly unimproved, 
being covered with brush and a heavy growth 
of live-oaks. Then the work of clearing and 
improving began, and the broad, beautiful 
fields in a high state cultivation now sur- 
round their more modern house and more 
complete out-buildings. They have added 
seventy acres to their ranch, all valley land, 
of which 100 acres are yearly planted to Lima 
beans, with an average yield of 2,000 pounds 
to the acre. They keep eight or ten horses 
and mules and several cows, but only for 
ranch purposes. 

Mr. Cravens was a man popular among his 
associates and much respected by all. He 
served his county one term as Supervisor. 
At the age of sixty years, after an active life 
of much labor and hardships, he passed away. 
His widow has since managed and carried on 
the ranch. Mr. and Mrs. Cravens have been 
blessed with eleven children, eight of whom 
survive, one daughter being married to John 
Bailard and living in the valley, and seven 
children living; at home. 

«ol m l S iii %M$ » CI" 1 M » 



SITTENFELD, the pioneer merchant 
of San Miguel, and one of its most 
^ s0 ' prominent citizens, is a native of 
Prussia, Germany, born in 1855, of German 
parents. He received his early education 
there, and served an apprenticeship to the 
mercantile business, which proved of great 
value to him in after years. He came to the 
United States in 1870, and accepted a posi- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



295 



tion as clerk in San Luis Obispo County, 
with the firm of Goldtree Bros. After being 
in their employ four years they started a store 
at San Miguel, in 1874, and Mr. Sittenfeld 
became a partner in the business, and was as- 
signed the management of it; it was located 
near the old Mission building. There had 
been another man in business at that place, 
but he soon sold out to them, and for a num- 
ber of years he had the only store in the 
town. The trade continued to grow under 
Mr. Sittenfeld's management until 1886, 
when the railroad was built. He then sold 
out to his partners, the Goldtree Bros., 
and organized the present firm of A. Sittem 
feld & Co.; general merchandise dealers, Mr. 
Mandersheid being the other member of the 
firm. They have established their store in 
the business center of the town and carry a 
large stock, which is kept up in excellent 
6tyle, neatness and order prevailing through- 
out the store. Mr. Sittenfeld, as a business 
man, is a "success," collecting about him a 
large circle of friends and still keeping his 
old customers with him. They have a branch 
store at Cholame, employing six men in both 
stores, including themselves, both taking an 
active part in the business. Mr. Sittenfeld 
has purchased a 160-aore ranch, a mile and a 
quarter from town, on which he takes great 
pleasure in making improvements. Be has 
planted a large variety of trees and vines; 
and there are a large number of oak trees 
on the ranch, which naturally add to the 
beauty and picturesqueness of the place. The 
farm is devoted to wheat. For many years 
Mr. Sittenfeld was the Postmaster of San 
Miguel, and for twelve years was Wells, 
Fargo & Co.'s agent, and has also held the 
office of Justice of the Peace at Parkfiehl, 
Monterey County. 

Notwithstanding the amount of business 
he is doing, and the length of time in busi- 



ness, he is still a young and single gentleman, 
but the fixing of this nice place so near the 
town would seem to indicate that Mr. Sittenfeld 
does not always intend to board at the hotel, 
and that there are to be still other chapters 
of interest in his history! 



-$»-•£* 




PILLIAM McGUIRE was born in Co- 
shocton County, Ohio, April 29, 1846. 
His father, Thomas McGuire, was 
also a native of Ohio, and his grandfather, 
Francis McGuire, was born in Virginia. His 
great-grandfather, William McGuire, was a 
native of the north of Ireland, came to Amer- 
ica before the Revolution, participated in 
that struggle, and lost his life for independ- 
ence. Mr. McGuire's mother, nee Sarah 
Johnson, was born in Orange County, New 
York, daughter of Henry Johnson, a native 
of the same county. They were of German 
ancestry, and are in the line of heirs of the 
New York Trinity Church property. Mr. 
McGuire's parents had three children, of 
whom the subject of this sketch and his sister, 
a resident of Yentura County, are living. 
Mr. McGuire was reared in Ohio. He began 
life as a photographer. On account of ill 
health he was obliged to abandon it and en- 
gage in out-door employment. In 1875 he 
came to Yentura County, California, and 
bought a small place on the Avenue near San 
Buenaventura city. He built upon and im- 
proved the property, and when his health 
recovered he engaged in milling with Thomas 
Clark, in the Yentura mill. After this, Mr. 
McGuire purchased 262 acres of land in the 
beautiful Upper Ojai Yalley, and has here 
erected a comfortable house and barns, and is 
engaged in stock-raising, and also producing 
large quantities of hay, which he feeds to his 
horses and cattle. 



290 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Mr. McGriiire was united in marriage, in 
1875, with Miss Nancy Darrah. a native of 
Ohio, and daughter of William and Elizabeth 
Darrah. This union has been blessed with 
eight children, all but one living, and all 
born in Ventura County, viz.: Corena, Will- 
iam, Myrta A., Thomas, Sarah, Claus and 
Katie B. 

Mr. McGuire is an enterprising, intelli- 
gent business man, one whose influence for 
good is felt in the community. He is now 
serving his district as School Trustee. Poli- 
tically he is a Democrat; and socially affi- 
liated with the Masonic fraternity. 

fHOMAS CLAKK, a pioneer citizen of 
the Ojai Valley, was born in Ireland, 
^ November 14, 1842. His parents, 
Bernard and Annie (McCarron) Clark, were 
also natives of Ireland. The subject of this 
sketch was educated in his native country, 
and, in 1855, came with his parents to the 
United States and settled in Wisconsin, where 
his father purchased a farm. Mr. Clark, Sr., 
was a faithful member of the Catholic 
Church all his life, and died in 1865. Mr. 
Clark is one of a family of three children, all 
now iu California, and his sister, Mrs. 
Thomas Thompson, lives on an adjoining 
farm. After working for some time on a 
steamboat, Mr. Clark next engaged in the 
saw-mill business, and sawed lumber to aid 
in keeping the rebels out of New Orleans. 
In 1861 he returned to Wisconsin and there 
met the lady who afterwards became his wife 
and has been a faithful helpmate to him thus 
far on life's journey. She is also a native of 
Ireland, and of the same town in which Mr. 
Clark was born, her maiden name having 
been Annie Murphy. She was a daughter of 
H ugh Murphy, who was a native of Ireland, 



a devout Catholic all his life, and who lived 
to the advanced age of ninety-nine years. 
After his marriage, Mr. Clark worked a year 
in Chicago and then, in 1864, came to So- 
noma County, California, where he rented a 
farm. In 1868 he bought 150 acres of land 
in the upper Ojai Valley, lived on it for a 
year, and then moved upon his present ranch 
of 180 acres. Here he has expended much 
labor in improving the land, clearing off the 
brush and stones and " making the wilder- 
ness to bloom like the rose." He has erected 
a comfortable home and has one of the finest 
ranches in the valley, and his success is due 
to his own industry and enterpris'e. On this 
ranch is plenty of fruit, which was planted 
for home use, but they now have more than 
is needed for that purpose. Mr. Clark has a 
splendid vineyard and makes his own wine, a 
superb article, and has it in his cellar for 
years, growing better as it gets age. In 
addition to cultivating his own land, he rents 
other lands and raises large quantities of 
choice wheat. Mr. Clark is giving some atten- 
tion to the raising of Morgan horses, Poland- 
China and Berkshire hogs and Jersey cattle. 
They also raise a great many fine chickens. 
Mrs. Clark is a lady of refinement and takes 
much pleasure in the cultivation of flowers, 
which are found in profusion around her 
home, and in bloom all the year. The beau- 
tiful pictures and many ornaments which are 
found in her cosy parlor also go to show her 
good taste. 

One day a minister called to see Mr. Clark 
while he was at work in his vineyard, and, 
after following him around a while, he said: 
"Mr. Clark, I must congratulate you. The 
Lord has placed you in a fine vineyard." 
" Yes," said Mr. Clark, " but the Lord had 
nothing but brush and stones here when 
I came here." When they first settled in 
the valley, there were only three families in 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



vr, 



it — the families of Messrs. Ayers, Lucos and 
Proctor. The grizzly bears were plenty and 
quite familiar. Mrs. Clark says they would 
lift a panel of fence and set it to one side and 
pass through easier than a man could. They 
were thinned out and gotten rid of by poison- 
ing. During eight years of his residence 
here, Mr. Clark owned and ran the Ventura 
grist mill, in company with Mr. McGuire. 

The subject of this sketch belongs to the 
Democratic party and is often a delegate in 
their county conventions. Both he and his 
wife are members of the Catholic Church. 



AMUE.L NOTT is one of the worthy 
business men of San Miguel. His 
father, John Nott, was a native of 
England, a hardware man there, and after- 
ward continued the business in New York 
city; so that Mr. Nott, the subject of this 
sketch, inherits the business, or, as he says 
himself, was born a hardware man and a 
tinner. He made his arrival in this mundane 
6phere September 17, 1840, in England. In 
1852, at the age of twelve years, he came to 
New York. His mother, Elison (Wardrope) 
Nott, was a native of Scotland, and her 
ancestry can be traced back to the Scottish 
chiefs. His grandfather was killed in the 
battle of Bothwell Bridge. However, Mr. 
Nott takes little stock in ancestry except as a 
matter of history. He is one of those plain, 
common-sense men who hold that it is not 
who a man's father was, but what he is him- 
self that tells the story. There were nine 
brothers and sisters in his father's family, all 
born in England, and all living. This gen- 
tleman does not dispute that who a man's 
parents are has much to do with his longev- 
ity. Their mother is the only one of this 

19 



large family who is now deceased. Her 
death occurred in New York city, in 1873. 

Mr. Nott went to Honolulu in 1866, and 
opened a hardware business, and continued 
there until 1885. He then sold out and 
came to California. At Los Gatos, Santa 
Clara County, he bought a fruit orchard and 
a nice home. As there was no opening for 
his business he came to San Miguel, and 
opened his present hardware store, and he 
here enjoys a good trade which extends over 
an area of seventy miles in width. Mr. Nott 
still retains his valuable property in Los 
Gatos. He bought the lot and built his store, 
and also a home in San Miguel. 

At Honolulu, he met and married the lady 
of his choice, Mary E. Andrews, who was 
born in Honolulu, daughter of Rev. Lorrin 
Andrews, one of the first missionaries sent 
there by the American Board of Missions, in 
1828. Mr. and Mrs. Nott have eight chil- 
dren, all except one born on the Islands, viz.: 
Annie W., Samuel W., Robert 11., William 
W., Mary A., Sarah T., Elizabeth W. and 
Lorrin A. They are members of the Con- 
gregational church. Mr. Nott is an Odd 
Eel low, and a member of the G. A. R. His 
war record is as follows: he enlisted in the 
Union army in October, 1862, at Canandaigua, 
New York, Company G, One Hundred and 
Forty-eighth New York, at a time when the 
great civil war had reached vast proportions, 
when the two great armies had become in dead 
earnest and were struggling for supremacy 
and many thousands of precious lives were 
being sacrificed. He enlisted as a private 
soldier and went to the front to do his share 
in putting down the great rebellion and sav- 
ing the Union. He participated in eighteen 
battles, among them were Cold Harbor, the 
siege of Petersburg and Fort Harrison; and 
was with General Grant during 1864 and 
1865, up to the surrender of General Lee. 



298 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



He was pre.-ent at the surrender, and his 
corps, the Twenty-fourth, was left in charge 
of the captured city of Richmond. He passed 
through the deadly struggle without receiving 
a scratch, but his health was impaired by ex- 
posure and fatigue, from which he has never 
recovered. He was discharged at Richmond, 
and returned to his home and took up his old 
trade, the hardware and tinning business, as 
already referred to. He is a quiet, pains- 
taking, and industrious business man, and 
deservedly enjoys the confidence and respect 
of his fellow citizens. 



jRS. JULIA F. WILLIAMS, who for 
BWHft twenty-five years has faithfully served 
-^t^s^ the light- house department in dis- 
charging her duty at the lighthouse on Santa 
Barbara Point, like the wise virgins with 
lamps always filled and trimmed ready to 
light at the appointed time, was born on 
Campo Bello Island, New Brunswick, July 
12, 1826. She passed her childhood at East- 
port, Maine, was married there to Albert J. 
Williams, and she and her husband resided 
at Waterville, Maine. Her husband came to 
California in 1849, and she followed him in 
1852, coming by the Isthmus of Panama, and 
arriving in San Francisco, February 22, 1853. 
The trip up from Panama was fraught with 
much discomfort, as ship r fever was among 
the passengers and there were seventy-five 
deaths and burials at sea. Mr. and Mrs. 
Williams lived in San Francisco until 1856, 
when they came to Santa Barbara. The 
light-house was then being built, and as soon 
as it was finished Mr. Williams received the 
appointment of keeper, from President 
Franklin Pierce, and the lamp was first 
lighted December 19, 1856. In 1857 there 
was a severe earthquake which shook the 



stone light-house, rattled the blinds, threw 
the chimney, from the lamps, and even the 
earth could be seen to quake. On December 
25, 1857, Mrs. Williams gave a Christmas 
dinner at the light-house to all the American 
families in town. About thirty persons were 
present. After dinner they played base-ball, 
and at midnight sang ''Home, Sweet Home," 
and withdrew. In 1860 Mr. Williams was 
superseded, and in February, 1865, Mrs. 
Williams received the appointment from 
Commodore Watson, light-house inspector 
at San Francisco, which was confirmed at 
Washington. Mrs. Williams was the first 
woman appointed light-house keeper in Cali- 
fornia and is now the oldest incumbent in the 
light-house service of the State. For twenty- 
five years she has • rendered most faithful 
service, filling and trimming her own lamps. 
With the exception of three weeks, when ill, 
she has lighted the lamp at sunset, changed 
it at midnight, never retiring until that duty 
was performed, and extinguishing the lamp 
at sunrise. She keeps her own books, record- 
ing each day the amount of oil used, hours 
the lamp burned and the condition of the 
weather, making monthly, quarterly and 
annual reports. Now, in her sixty-fourth 
year, she is still regular in the discharge of 
her duty. 



►$Mfr. 



S. BARRY is one of the public-spirited 
citizens and prominent business men 
1° of San Miguel. He came to the coast 
in 1869. Mr. Barry is a native of Galena, 
Illinois, born February 22, 1845. His father, 
Richard F. Barry, was born in Washington, 
District of Columbia, and his grandfather, 
Commodore Barry, was first commodore of 
the United States navy. The ancestors of the 
family were originally from Ireland, having 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



29!) 



settled in America before the Revolution. 
His mother's maiden name was Emily Weber. 
She was a native of France. There were only 
two sons in the family, J. D.. now living in 
San Francisco, and E. S., the subject of this 
sketch. He was educated in St. Louis, Mis- 
souri, and started in business in that city as 
entry clerk in a large wholesale dry-goods 
house. During the war he was chief clerk 
in the disbursing office at Little Rock, 
Arkansas. At the close of the war he con- 
tinued in the occupation of entry clerk in the 
wholesale business. After coming- to this 
coast he was paymaster for Wells, Fargo & 
Co., on their route between Salt Lake and 
Fort Benton, oh the head waters of the Mis- 
souri River; was in that business three years, 
and made payments along the route for 1,100 
miles, while the country was infested with 
stage robbers and Indians. After that Mr. 
Barry spent some time in the White Pine 
country, Nevada. 

In 1869 became to California and was in 
the employ of the Northern Pacific Trans- 
portation Company, Holladay & Brenham 
agents, San Francisco. Afterward with the 
Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and 
after that engaged in mining. In 1879 he 
went to Soledad and engaged in stationery 
and express business, and has been with the 
company ever since. Mr. Barry is a prom- 
inent Odd Fellow, has passed through all 
the chairs, and is now District Deputy. 

He was married in 1874, to Miss Ella M. 
Little, of Hollister. Their union has been 
blessed with three children, viz. : William B., 
born in San Francisco, in 1877; Edward L., 
in Soledad, in 1885, and Gail W., in San 
Miguel, in 1888. Mrs. Barry is a Presby- 
terian. In his political views, Mr. Barry is a 
Democrat. 

In speaking of his ancestors, it should be 
further stated that his grandfather, on the 



maternal side, Captain John H. Weber, a 
noted sea captain, had the honor of having 
Weber River and Weber Canon named for 
him. 

- I ll »I X » ] | l [ » ?H i « m 



P. SQUIER was a descendant of one 
of the early pioneers of Ohio, who 
° emigrated to that country when it was 
wild and unsettled. He was born in San- 
dusky County in 1838, and is one of a family 
of eight children, only four of whom are liv- 
ing. His father was a merchant at Taylor- 
ville, Illinois, where he moved in 1844, and 
where the subject of this sketch received his 
education. As soon as he heard of the filing 
on Fort Sumter in 1861, he was thrilled with 
patriotism and enlisted April 19th in the 
Illinois State Militia, and, under the next call 
of the President for more troops, was trans- 
ferred to Company H, Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantry, Colonel John M. Palmer in com- 
mand, and Andrew Simpson as Captain of 
the company. Mr. Squier went out as Second 
Lieutentant, and for gallant and meritorious 
service at Shiloh was promoted to Captain of 
Company H, Captain Simpson having been 
wounded. In 1861 the regiment was in the 
campaign of the Missouri, under General 
Fremont, and in 1862 joined the forces under 
General Grant, and were at Forts Donelson 
and Henry, Shiloh, Corinth, Metaraora, the 
siege of Vicksburg and many skirmishes. 
He was wounded at Jackson, Mississippi, by 
a cannon ball, July 6, 1863, and was mustered 
out at Springfield, Illinois, in Angust, 1864. 
He returned home and served as enrolling 
officer, not being able to attend to more 
active duty. 

Mr. Squier learned the trade of carpenter 
and builder at Taylorville, Illinois, where he 
served two terms in the city government, and 



300 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUJS OBISPO 



worked at his trade until 1875. In that year 
he came to California, corning direct to Santa 
Barbara. He began work at once and super- 
intended the construction of many of the best 
residences in the upper part of the city. He 
bought block 234 on the west side of the 
city, in 1884, and erected his present resi- 
dence in 1886. In 1888 he was elected city 
Councilman from the second ward. 

Mr. Squier was married at Taylorville, 
Illinois, January 17, 1865, to Miss Priscilla 
Keller, a native of Pennsylvania. They have 
four children, all living in Santa Barbara. 
Mr. Squier is a member of the Masonic order, 
and at Taylorville held the responsible po- 
sition of Master and High Priest for a num- 
ber of years; and was Master of the Santa 
Barbara Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. M., for two 
years. He is also a Knight Templar. 




ILLIAM C. COOK, one of the 
prominent business men of New 
Jerusalem, Ventura County, Cali- 
fornia, was born in Toronto, Canada, October 
28, 1856. His birth occurred in Canada 
while his mother was there on a visit, so that 
lie is the son of a United States citizen. His 
father, William Cook, was born in England, 
came to America in 1837, and settled at 
Buffalo, New York. His mother, Hannah 
(Chappel) Cook, was also a native of England 
Of the five children born to them, William is 
the only surviving one. His early life was 
spent in Rochester, New York, at Buffalo 
and at London, Canada. He graduated at a 
high school and also spent one year at the 
Huron College. For nearly a year he sailed 
on the steamship Oceanic, White Star Line, 
between New York and Liverpool, after which 
he traveled in England, Ireland and France. 



His father sent him a ticket to return to 
America on the Atlantic. He missed that 
ship, however, and sailed in the Oceanic. 
On that voyage the Atlantic went down near 
Halifax, Nova Scotia, with 950 souls on 
board! His parents thought he was on the 
lost ship, and it was a glad surprise, indeed, 
when he reached them in safety. His father 
thinking it best for him to learn a trade, he 
chose carriage-making, and worked at it three 
years, receiving $25 per year and his board. 
Alter his term of apprenticeship had expired 
he worked in the same shop for a while, and 
later in Detroit and Chicago. He then ac- 
cepted the position of brakeman on the New 
York Central Railroad. After being thus 
employed for two months he went home on a 
visit, and in May, 1876, came to California. 
He worked in Saticoy two years, then went 
to the Conejo Valley, and next came to New 
Jerusalem. A year and a half he worked 
here for wages, and then was employed for 
four years in Hueneme. He returned to New 
Jerusalem and formed a partnership with Mr. 
Wilkes and opened his present carriage and 
blacksmith business. The firm now, 1890, is 
Cook & Joy, Mr. Joy having bought out Mr. 
Wilkes. Mr. Cook owns a five acre lot, on 
which he built his residence. He also owns 
another house and lot. 

The subject of this sketch was married 
November 26, 1876, to Miss Annie Groves, 
a native of Canada. They have a family of 
two sons and two daughters, all born in Ven- 
tura County, viz.: Hannah, Emma, Charles 
and Willie, Mr. Cook is a Republican and 
takes an active part in political matters. He 
holds the office of Justice of the Peace, and is 
clerk of the board of trustees of the school 
district. He has recently been appointed 
Postmaster of New Jerusalem. He is Deputy 
Grand Master of the A. O. U. W., and a 
charter member of the order at Hueneme, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



301 



where lie aided in establishing a lodge. Mr. 
Cook has recently united with the F. &. A. M. 
It should be further stated, in connection 
with the history of Mr. Cook's family, that 
his father, brother and an uncle were Union 
soldiers in the late war. His brother and 
uncle both died at the Andersonville prison. 



lHARLES A. THOMPSON was born at 
Santa Barbara in May, 1845. His 
father, A. B. Thompson, was a native 
of Portland, Maine, and came to Santa Bar- 
bara at an early age. He was a seafaring 
man, and was largely engaged in trading 
with the Sandwich Islands, taking out hides 
and tallow and exchanging for silks, dry 
goods and other merchandise, which he sold 
through his stores in Santa Barbara. He 
owned three vessels, which he ran between 
the California coast and the Sandwich Islands. 
He was also owner at one time of the Santa 
Rosa Islands, where he kept a large number 
of sheep. The family was composed of six 
children, namely: Frank A. Thompson, now 
residing at Ventura; Mary Isabelle, who 
married E. Van Valkenbtirg, and resides at 
Santa Barbara; Ellen Ann, who married 
George Tyng, a descendant of the eminent 
divine, Doctor Tyng, and lives in the city of 
Mexico; Frances < iaroline, who married John 
F. Dana, and resides on the Nipomo Ranch 
in San Luis Obispo County; Albert F. 
Thompson, the youngest, who died in New 
Mexico, February L6, L885, where he was 
ting to compile new laws for the Terri 
tory; and Charles A., the subject of this 
sketch, who was educated at the Santa Clara 
College. After leaving the college in 1858 
he went into the County Clerk's office, under 
Charles S. Cook for one year. Then, on the 
election of his brother, F. A. Thompson, to 



the office of county clerk, which he held for 
twenty one years, Charles A. continued 
deputy throughout the several terms. He 
then studied law, and was admitted to the 
bar in November, 1875. Mr. Thompson has 
served as deputy County Assessor, as City As- 
sessor and as a member of the city council. 
Ilis practice has been largely in searching 
records and proving titles. 

He was married in Santa Barbara, in 187G, 
to Miss Maria E. Andonaegui, whose parents 
were natives of San Sebastian, Spain. They 
have two children, Charles Lawrence and 
Francis. 



H. FRINK, the proprietor of "The 
iufvt Great Wardrobe " clothing store, San- 



Q 



ta Barbara, was born at Philadelphia. 
Jefferson County, New York, in 1849, a de- 
scendant of the Frinks of Stonington, Con- 
necticut, his grandparents immigrating to 
Jefferson County among the earliest pioneers. 
At the age of sixteen years Mr. Frink began 
his mercantile life at Bedford, Michigan, 
where he clerked in a dry-goods store three 
years, lie then returned to Philadelphia, 
and in 1869 bought an interest in a general 
merchandise store, carrying on the business 
for three years under the firm name of Rouse 
& Frink. lie next passed three years at 
Albion, New York, returning to Philadel- 
phia again, in 187(5, and remaining until 
1879. In that year he sold out and came to 
California, firsl settling at Antioch, Contra 
Costa County, whore lie was again connected 
with Ins former partner, Mr. Rouse, in gen- 
eral merchandise business. In L883 Mr. 
Frink bought out bis partner and continued 

alone until L886, al which time he came to 

Santa Barbara and opened the clothing store 
know' : - Che Great Wardrobe." [tisnow 



l:02 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



(1890) the leading store in clothing and 
gents' furnishing goods in the city. Mr. 
Frink keeps on hand a large line of the finest 
quality of ready-made clothing, manufactured 
hy the leading houses in Syracuse, Roches- 
ter, Chicago and New York city; also deals 
in the Stetson & Dunlap hats. 

Mr. Frink is a courteous and pleasant gen- 
tleman who commands the respect and confi- 
dence of all who meet him. He was married 
at Antioch, California, in 1880, to Mary 
Elizabeth Ross, .a native of St. Lawrence 
County, New York. The union has been 
blessed with one child, Clarence Harlow. 



— n|> » |n£» < i » « « - 

G. ALLEN is one of San Miguel's 
prominent citzens and business men. 
a He came to California in 1856, and is 
a native of the city of Utica, Oneida County, 
New York, born April 21, 1849. His father, 
Elihu Allen, was a native of Oneida County, 
New York; came to California in 1849; and 
was a member of the fire department of San 
Jose in 1854. Mr. Allen has a framed cer- 
tificate of his membership. The Aliens were 
originally from Schenectady, New York, and 
belong to the posterity of Ethan Allen, of 
Revolutionary fame. His mother was Mary 
Ann (Graves) Allen, a native of New York, 
and daughter of Benjamin Graves, from Con- 
necticut, a prominent citizen, who removed to 
Oneida County, New York, and reared a 
large family there. Mr. Allen's mother was 
a descendant of Mollie Stark, of Revolution- 
ary fame. 

The subject of this sketch is the only sur- 
vivor of a family of four children. He re- 
ceived his education in the public schools of 
San Jose, and also took a year's study in the 
East, at the Business College of Utica, New 
York. In 1867 he engaged in farming in 



San Jose, and was very successful, farming 
400 acres for several years; and afterward, 
by the failure of crops and other causes, he 
lost what he had made. Then he obtained 
the position of clerk in a store, and afterward 
he became manager of the Los Gatos store, 
which position he held for four years. He 
then opened a general merchandise business 
for himself in that town, and remained there 
two years. In 1887 he moved to San Miguel, 
and opened a general merchandise store, and 
has conducted a successful business, enjoying 
the patronage and confidence of the people. 
The trade extends in the surrounding country 
for fifty miles. Mr. Allen also owns a ranch 
of 160 acres, which he farms, raising wheat 
and hay. It is improved with good house, 
barns, fences, etc. He has also invested in 
lots in the town. He built his store in the 
business center of the city, on Mission street, 
between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets. 

Mr. Allen was married in 1871 to Miss 
Hattie Abies, a native of Big Valley, Sonoma 
County. She was the first white child born 
there. Her father, William C. Abies, was a 
native of Ohio, and came to California in 
1852. He was a leading Methodist and 
prominent rancher in California from 1852 
to 1885, when his death occurred. Mr. and 
Mrs. Allen have two sons, Edgar E., born in 
Castorville, and William B., born at San 
Jose. The family are attendants of the 
Episcopal Church. Mr. Allen is a promi- 
nent Odd Fellow, being a member of San 
Jose Encampment, No. 34, and Nacimiento 
Lodge, No. 370, I. O. O. F. He is also a 
member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he 
is a stanch Republican, and takes a lively 
interest in any public enterprise that tends 
to improve the community where he resides. 
He has unbounded faith in the upper Salinas 
Yalley, and thinks the planting of fruit will 
soon make it compare favorably with any 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



303 



county in the State. Mr. Allen speaks both 
the English and Spanish languages. 




E. JACK, of San Liiis Obispo, was born 
in the State of Maine, in September, 
1841, and very early in life evinced a 
high order of talent for business. Accord- 
ingly he went to New York, where he was 
connected with a commercial house on Wall 
street. In 1864 lie came to California and 
at once engaged in wool- gro wing. He is 
now the owner of Cholame "Ranch of 40,000 
acres, but he devotes his time to banking, in 
his city, being cashier of the First National 
Bank of San Luis Obisoo; is also the princi- 
pal of the Bank of Paso Robles, in that town, 
the Bank of Sauta Maria and the Bank of 
Lompoc in the county of Santa Barbara. 
Mr. Jack represents the progressive element 
in business, and is prominent in all matters 
connected with the welfare and prosperity of 
San Luis Obispo. In politics he is a leader, 
and at the present time is President of the 
city council. 

He was married in 1872, to a daughter of 
Colonel Joseph Hubbard Hollister, imd has a 
family of four children. 



EIRGIL A. GREGG, Superior Judge of 
San Luis Obispo County, was appointed 
to the office he now holds by Governor 
Waterman, February 8, 1889. Mr. Gregg 
was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, in 
1844. His father was born in Virginia, in 
1810, and his mother in Tennessee, in 1819. 
Both parents were pioneers of Iowa, when it 
was a part of Michigan Territory. The sul>- 
ject of this sketch at the age of thirteen years, 
entered the Iowa Wesleyan University at 



Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he continued 
until he entered his senior year in 1862. He 
then left college and entered the volunteer 
service in the war of the Rebellion, in the 
Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and 
continued in the army with Sherman until 
the close of the war. Then he entered the 
lawdepartmentof the University of Michigan, 
in September, 1865, and graduated with the 
class of 1866, and located first for the prac- 
tice of law in December, that year, in Mem- 
phis, Tennessee, Being in poor health, he 
left Memphis and traveled for nearly a year, 
and then settled in Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
and there practiced law and took an act- 
ive part in politics, as a Republican, always 
participating in every canvass as a speaker. 
In 1878 he came to California, at the instance 
of his friend Josiah Earh Mr. Earl having 
succeeded by a visit to Washington City in 
having a United States land office located at 
Independence, Inyo County, California, and 
being appointed Register, he got Mr. Gregg 
to come to California to put the new office in 
working condition. • Mr. Gregg left Inyo 
and located at Bakersfield, Kern County, 
California, in 1876, and was there elected on 
the Republican ticket a member of the Cali- 
fornia Constitutional Convention that met at 
Sacramento in December, 1878, and that 
formulated the present Constitution of Cali- 
fornia, and Mr, Gregg had the honor of 
serving on the Judiciary and Corporation 
Committees of that body. Mr. Gregg has 
been a resident of San Luis Obispo for seven 
years, and of the State for seven years. 
He has always been a Republican in poli- 
tics, and has for his party canvassed the 
State at one time, and several counties at dif- 
ferent times. He is a Grand Army man, a 
member of George II. Thomas Post, No. 2, 
San Francisco, and is in receipt of a pension 
of $16 per month from the Government tor 



304 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



wounds received during the war. He has a 
wife and five children, having married at 
Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1879. 

[EORGE G. CRANE, one of the promi- 
nent citizens of Saticoy, was born in 
Sharon Township, Medina County, 
Ohio, July 7, 1835. His father, George W. 
Crane, was a native of Massachusetts, born 
in 1809, and removed to Ohio in 1834, 
bought a farm in that new country, cleared it 
and made it his home until his death, <which 
occurred in 1884. Mr. Crane's grandfather, 
Barnabas Crane, was born in Dighton, Massa- 
chusetts, in 1774. Their ancestors were 
English and Scotch, and were among the 
first settlers of the new world. Mr. Crane's 
mother, Louisa (Briggs) Crane, was a native 
of New York, born in 1815. She is now 
(1890) a resident of California. Her brother, 
George G. Briggs, was the pioneer in and 
promoter of the raisin -grape industry in 
California, devoting as many as 1,000 acres 
to their production. She is the daughter of 
Thomas Briggs, who was a native of Massa- 
chusetts. Mr. Crane is one of a family of 
seven children, all now living except one, 
and was reared and educated in his native 
place. When a young man he came to Cali- 
fornia, worked in the mines and by the 
month, after which he returned to his native 
State and purchased 125 acres of land. After 
residing on that farm twelve years, he sold 
out and removed to Cass County, Missouri, 
where he bought a farm and lived six years. 
He then disposed of his property there and 
went to Denver, Colorado, engaged in the 
wholesale fruit business, and later in quartz 
mining, continuing the latter business six 
years. In 1884 he bought his present home 
place of 140 acres, situated in one of the 



very best valleys in Southern California, and 
improved the property by building, tree- 
planting, etc. He has fifty acres in English 
walnuts, four years old, and one-half acre in 
eucalyptus trees, planted in rows six feet 
apart and four feet apart in the row, now 
over fifty feet high, which will furnish all 
the wood needed on the farm. Mr. Crane 
raises from sixty to 110 tons of beans each 
year. 

He was married in 1859 to Miss Adaline 
Huntly, a native of Ohio, born in Granger 
Township, Medina County, in 1836. They 
have two children, both born at his home in 
Sharon, Ohio, — Amie and Abbie. Amie is 
the wife of E. E. Huntly, and resides at 
Saticoy. Mr. and Mrs. Crane are members 
of the Universalist church, and are liberal in 
their religious views. In politics he is a 
Democrat, and has held the office of Super- 
visor both in Ohio and in Missouri. He has 
always taken an active interest in schools, 
and has frequently held the office of school 
trustee. He is an intelligent and agreeable 
gentleman, and is highly respected by his 
fellow-citizens. 



L. GISLER is a well-to-do citizen and 
an early settler of New Jerusalem. 
° His father, Max Gisler, a native of 
Switzerland, was a poor but worthy and in- 
dustrious man, with a wife and thirteen 
children. With the intention of trying to 
improve his financial condition and to better 
provide for his family, he borrowed the money 
to pay his passage to California, and came to 
Ventura County in 1876. The second eldest 
son came with him, and together they worked 
as sheep herders for two years, and during 
that time they saved money enough to pay 
the borrowed money and also to bring the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



305 



eldest deaughter and son to this country. 
S. L. Gisler and two brothers were the next 
sent for. By the united efforts of all, the 
mother and other members of the family 
were brought to California, and here pros- 
perity has been the reward of their labor. 
When persistent effort is coupled with a de- 
termination to succeed in any undertaking, 
it is seldom that failure is the result. Mr. 
Gisler purchased sixty-five acres of land 
adjoining the town of New Jerulsalem, on 
which he built a fine residence, where he and 
a part of the family now reside. Five of the 
children are married and settled in this county. 
S. L. Gisler dates his birth June 6, 1861. 
He arrived in California May 6, 1878, and 
his first work here was as a farm hand and 
teamster, for Edward Borchard, remaining 
with him six years and three months. He 
next worked two seasons on a thresher, at 
$55 per month and board. In 1886 he 
opened his Swiss saloon in New Jerusalem, 
which he is still conducting. Mr. Gisler was 
married December 1, 1888, to Miss Theresa 
Puentener. Both are members of the Catholic 
church. His political views are Democratic. 



|EORGEM. RICHARDSON is one of 
the oldest settlers of Santa Paula. He 
was born in Kennebec County, Maine, 
on the last day of the last week of the year, 
and on the last day of the last month of the 
year 1821. He was the son of George and 
Lovicy (Robins) Richardson, the former a 
native of Attleborough, Massachusetts, of 
English extraction, and the latter was born in 
Orange, Massachusetts. They had a family 
of twelve children, of whom five sons and one 
daughtor are now living. The subject of 
this sketch left his native State in 1836, and 
settled in the town of Moscow, Hillsdale 



County, Michigan, just about the time Michi- 
gan was admitted into the Union as a State, 
thus becoming a pioneer of that new country. 
He bought a farm, built a house and improved 
the land, and lived there for ten years. He 
then sold out and removed to Jackson County, 
same State, where he purchased eighty acres 
of land and again built and made improve- 
ments; and, while there, split more rails than 
Abraham Lincoln did. In 1852 he disposed 
of his property in Michigan and came to the 
Pacific Coast, reaching San Francisco Decem- 
ber 31. Upon his arrival here he was short 
of money, and he and his brother went to 
Petaluma, having only seventy-five cents left 
when they got there. They at once went to 
work in a saw-mill; but, soon afterward Mr. 
Richardson, observing the high price paid for 
potatoes, decided to engage in their produc- 
tion, which he did, paying eight cents per 
pound for seed ; at digging time potatoes were 
so plenty there was no sale for them. He 
then went to the redwoods and there worked 
two years at $60 per month; got out timber 
for himself and others, which was split with 
a froe, making good siding. After this lie 
rented a place and made enough to buy out a 
squatter, in the neighborhood of Vacaville. 
He lived on this place ten years, built a house 
and made many improvements; and then dis- 
covered that the title was not good. After 
having paid for it twice, he loaded his things 
in wagons and started for Southern Califor- 
nia with his family. Seven of them rode in 
the covered wagon, which took the place of 
both wagon and house for weeks while they 
were traveling; and after they reached their 
destination they lived out of doors through 
the day and slept in it at night, until they 
got the house built. At that time, 1867, 
there were no houses on the road between 
Santa Paula and San Buenaventura, and his 
wife remarked to him, " You have brought 



306 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



us to the jumping-off place now." Mr. Rich- 
ardson's first house built there is still stand- 
ing and speaks plainly of pioneer days. It is 
16x24 feet, one story high, and the lumber, 
of which it was bnilt was hauled from Ven- 
tura. The property is located three-quarters 
of a mile southeast of the now beautiful town 
of Santa Paula. When Mr. Richardson lo- 
cated there his neighbor, Mr. Montgomery, 
lived a mile and a half away, and the Ven- 
tura school district was the only one in the 
county. The first year Mr. Richardson sowed 
wheat and barley, and the wheat rusted; the 
second year he sowed again, with the same 
result; and the third year he did not sow. 
There was not a mill in the county, and his 
son Fred went with a wagon to Los Angeles, 
with wheat and corn to mill, sleeping in his 
wagon at night, the trip requiring a week's 
time. The younger boys would go up the 
Sespe River fishing, and be gone two or three 
days, returning with plenty offish and other 
game. They would take their blankets and 
go on the top of the mountains at night, in 
order to be ready for game in the morning. 
A great share of their provisions at that 
time was venison. Mr. Richardson has been 
principally engaged in raising hogs and 
cattle; but at present he is extensively en- 
gaged in the production of Lima beans, for 
which this part of the country is so well 
adapted. 

Mr. Richardson was married July 4, 1843, 
to Miss Nancy Mull, a native of Ohio. They 
had one child, Fred, whose history appears in 
this book. After four years of wedded life, 
Mrs. Richardson died. And for his second 
wife Mr. Richardson married Miss Jenette 
Sims, a native of Indiana. To them were 
born five children : Emma, who died at the age 
of twenty-one years; George, born September 
21, 1860; Louis, born December 22, 1862; 
Frank, born April 8, 1864; and Harry S., 



October 1, 1873. Mrs. Richardson died June 
22, 1877. 

George Richardson has a ranch of 160 
acres adjoining his father's. He married 
Miss Ida Kellog, a native of Illinois, born 
December 2, 1860, and daughter of Norman 
A. M. Kellog, who was born in New York. 
George and his wife live with father Rich- 
ardson. They have a family of five children, 
all born in Santa Paula: George Lawrence, 
born December 16, 1882; Olinda, June 7, 
1884; Charles K., July 27, 1885; Yale, 
March 6, 1887; and Mark, January 24, 1889. 

The subject of this sketch was reared a 
Democrat, but has been a Republican since 
the organization of that party. He has been 
a member of the Methodist Church for 
thirty-five years. Well has he earned the 
name of pioneer, having been an early settler 
of both Michigan and California. By his 
industry and economy he has acquired a com- 
petency, and is now enjoying the fruits of a 
well-spent life. 



►*~»f< 



MREDERICK RICHARDSON is one of 
the reliable and prosperous ranchers of 
Santa Paula, and a pioneer of this part 
of the county, having come to California in 
1855 with his uncle. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Jackson County, Michi- 
gan, near the Hillsdale County line, June 
18, 1849, and was in his sixth year when he 
removed to the Golden State. He received 
his education in Solano County, and was 
reared to farm life. In 1867 he came to 
Santa Paula, and to his present home in 
1876. He at once hegan the work of plant- 
ing and improving, and he now has a com- 
fortable home surrounded by bearing fruit- 
trees. He has ten acres of alfalfa for cows, 
ten acres planted to English walnuts (Lima 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



307 



beans are grown between trees till in bear- 
ing), one acre of blackberries, one acre of 
raisin grapes, four acres of fruit-trees com- 
mon to the country, including orange, lemon, 
and Japanese fruits. Two acres are devoted 
to eucalyptus for fire- wood, and the rest of 
the groiinds are planted to corn, hay and 
Lima beans. 

In 1876 Mr. Richardson married Miss 
Edith Ireland, a native of Atchison, Kansas, 
born in 1856, and daughter of Newcomb J. 
Ireland, who was born in New York. From 
this union two children have been born: 
George S., born in Santa Paula, April 17, 
1877, and Paul F., born at ISTordhoff, Decem- 
ber 16, 1881. Mrs. Eichardson was a victim 
of consumption, and in 1881 died of that re- 
lentless disease. October 31, 1883, Mr. Eich- 
ardson wedded Miss Lottie Sewell, a native 
of New York, born in 1847, daughter of 
Eensselaer Sewell, of that State. This union 
has been blessed with two children, twins, 
Frank E. and Faith EL. Mr. and Mrs. Eich- 
ardson are both worthy members of the Me'h- 
odist church. His political views are Ee- 
publican. 



W. HAEEOLD is one of the many 
prominent citizens who live in the 
*l° beautiful valley of Saticoy. He was 
born in Wayne County, Indiana, November 
8, 1839, and is the son of Jonathan Harrold, 
a planter, born in Virginia, of English an- 
cestry. When the subject of this sketch 
was two years old his parents removed to 
Illinois, where he was reared and educated. 
For a number of years he was engaged in 
stock-raising for beef, conducting the busi- 
ness on a large scale. He moved from that 
State to Texas, where he spent ten years in 
the same business. In 1886 he came to San 



Francisco, aud from there to his present 
ranch, five miles and a halt nearly due w r est 
of Santa Paula, where he owns 2,500 acres 
of choice land. He has erected a new house 
on an eminence overlooking the whole val- 
ley, the view from which is exceedingly 
beautiful. The entire valley, with its fine 
ranches and comfortable homes, and the 
mountains opposite, is a picture that the 
visitor beholds with delight and does not 
soon forget. Mr. Harrold's residence can be 
seen for many miles in every direction. A 
large portion of the ranch is planted to 
olives. They are devoting 375 acres to wal- 
nuts, and fifty acres to corn. Some thorough- 
bred Jersey cattle are kept on the ranch for 
home use. 

Mr. Harrold was married in 1886, in San 
Francisco, to Miss Clarise Harris, a native of 
Maryland, an accomplished lady, the daugh- 
ter of J. B. Harris, who was born in New 
York in 1830. He has for some time been 
prominent in railroad building; was assistant 
superintendent of the construction of the 
Central Pacific Eailroad, superintendent of 
the South Pacific to Fort Yuma, ot the west- 
ern part of the .Northern Pacific; is now en- 
gaged in the construction of the Nicaragua 
Canal. Mr. and Mrs. Harrold have two in- 
teresting children: John II. , born in Texas, 
June 24, 1887, and E. B. Harrold, Jr., born 
October 28, 1888. Mrs. Harrold is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal church. Mr. Harrold's 
political views are Republican, but he is 
liberal and independent in politics as well as 
other topics. 



►*-^ 



L. BARKER, one of the most intelli- 
gent and enterprising young men of 
° Santa Barbara, is a native of MethucMi, 
from which town the manufacturing city of 



308 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Lawrence, Massachusetts, was founded by 
the celebrated Lawrence family of Boston. 
His father, James K. Barker, was a civil en- 
gineer and was engaged in building the dam 
and canal at that place and took an active in- 
terest in the early history of the town, being 
elected Mayor in 1861. 

After graduating at the Lawrence High 
School, Mr. Barker entered Amherst College, 
graduating in the class of 1865 with high 
honors, although the youngest member in 
his class. He then returned to Lawrence and 
entered the office of Daniel Saunders, a 
prominent lawyer, with whom he read law 
for three years and was admitted to practice. 
He also devoted much time to the study of 
engineering with his father. When his 
father died, in 1868, Mr. Barker succeeded 
to his business, which he continued about 
eighteen months. Consumption being heredi- 
tary in the Barker family, as a preventive, 
J. L. decided to come to California, which he 
did in 1869. After locating in Santa Bar- 
bara, his mother followed him the next year. 
He engaged in surveying, and in April, 1871, 
was appointed to the position of City Sur- 
veyor. He made the well-known and much- 
talked-of Barker retracing. The town was 
laid off in 1851 by Salisbury Haley, in blocks 
450 feet square; but, owing to imperfect 
measurement and loss of many stakes, it be- 
came difficult to identify blocks, and the ques- 
tion arose whether a survey should be adopted 
which would correspond to exact measure- 
ments or whether old Haley's stakes should 
define boundaries; and Mr. Barker made the. 
retracing, following the Haley survey as near 
as practicable without regard to exact meas- 
ments, which retracing has been gr; dually 
adopted. This question is still a prominent 
feature in local politics, and enters into the 
election of city officers. 

Mr. Barker resigned his office in July, 



1873, to visit the East, but on his return was 
re-appointed in January, 1874, serving to the 
end of the term. He was appointed Deputy 
County Assessor in 1880, under J. M. Garri- 
son, and was re-appointed by Frank Smith, 
Mr. Garrison's successor, who was elected in 
the fall of 1882. Mr. Barker continues to 
hold that position. 

The subject of this sketch owns 340 acres 
of foot-hill lands and much city property. 
He is a large stockholder in the Stearns 
Wharf Company. Mrs. Barker is now seventy 
years of age; resides with her son in East 
Santa Barbara. They own and occupy the 
old adobe house formerly occupied by that 
historic character, George Nidever, the trap- 
per, who discovered and rescued the woman 
from San Nicolas Island. Mr. Barker is a 
Royal Arch Mason, and a royal representa- 
tive of the citizens of Santa Barbara. 



jlpiHOMAS HARWOOD, of Saticoy, is a 
« California pioneer, who came into the 
^F State in 1850. He was born in Gibson 
County, Indiana, November 24, 1841. He 
was the son of Thomas Harwood, Sr., a native 
of New York, and the grandson of Ruthland 
Harwood, who came from England. His 
mother, Sarah Harwood, was a native of En- 
gland. They had six children, only three of 
whom survive. Thomas Harwood obtained 
most of his education in California, as he 
was only nine years of age when he came to 
this State. For fifteen years he was engaged 
in the freighting business from Marysville to 
Virginia City, with a ten-mule team and a 
large wagon. The distance was 120 miles, 
over mountain roads; the round trip was per- 
formed in twenty days. They hauled five 
tons and cleared nearly $500 each trip. Some 
of the mountain sides were steep, and the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



309 



road formed many loops to make the grade 
possible, and then the hind wheels were 
dragged down on shoes to keep them from 
revolving. From there Mr. Harwood went 
to Butte County, and engaged in ranching; 
he had 2,400 acres of land, on which he kept 
about 2,000 sheep. The net income while 
he was on this ranch was about $3,000. He 
continued in this business about twelve years 
when he sold out and came to Ventura, and 
bought a fine ranch where he now resides. 
The ranch contains 152 acres, for which he 
paid $18,000. There are twenty-five acres 
of bearing apricot trees, the fruit of which 
they market both green and dry, and a large 
orange and lemon grove and other citrus 
fruits; and he is now raising large quan- 
tities of beans and corn, both being a pay- 
ing crop. In two years, at the present 
prices, the property will have paid all ex- 
penses and will have returned the purchase 
money. He raised 2,100 pounds of Lima 
beans to the acre, on forty acres of land, 
which are now worth five cents per pound; 
the land only cost him $70 per acre. He has 
raised ninety bushels of shelled corn to the 
acre, and it is now worth $1 per hundred 
pounds; he is also raising some Belmont 
horses. 

Mr. Harwood was married in 1876, to Miss 
E. A. Mastin, born November 14, 1859, in 
Quincy, Plumas County, California; her pa- 
rents were natives of Georgia and South 
Carolina. They have four children, three 
born in Butte County, California, as follows: 
"Thomas F., born September 26, 1879; Oliver, 
December 4, 1881; Henry Irvin, October 9, 
1883; and Frederick W., born in Ventura 
County, August 21, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harwood are members of the Congregational 
Church. In his political views Mr. Harwood 
is a Republican, and has frequently held the 
office of School Trustee. He is an intelligent 



Californian, and is alive to the interests of 
his State, and highly esteemed by his neigh- 
bors. 

B. WILLIAMS is a native of New 
York city and dates his birth March 
1° 7, 1828. He is a son of Clark Will- 
iams, who was born in Rensselaer County, 
New York, in 1801. The family were of 
Welsh origin and were pioneers of the east- 
ern part of this country. His mother, Lu- 
cinda (Brewer) Williams, was born on the 
Hudson River. His parents had thirteen 
children, ten sons and three daughters, nine 
of whom are now living. His father w T as 
largely engaged in business, was a merchant 
in New York, had canal boats and was also 
a lumber dealer. Mr. Williams was edu- 
cated in New York and, being the oldest 
son, aided his father in both the store and in 
the charge of the boats, from Buffalo to 
New York city. He afterward became a 
boat owner and did a freighting business for 
thirteen years. 

In 1858 he came to California and settled 
in San Francisco, where he took charge of 
the spice factory of Hudson Company. He 
conducted that business for nine and a half 
years, sending their spices to all parts of the 
State. Mr. Williams came to Santa Paula 
in 1867 and started the first grist-mill in the 
county, at Saticoy, which was run by horse 
power. The machinery was afterward moved 
to Santa Paula, where Mr. Williams used 
the water power. He bought property here 
and devoted a part of his time to agricultural 
pursuits. In 1868 Mr. Williams wont to 
Ventura with a colony to organize the Con- 
gregational church, and was one of the char- 
ter members, the pastor being Rev. M. P. 
Star. 



310 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Mr. Williams was married, in 1850, to 
Miss Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of Peter 
and Hester Rogers, of Oneida County, New 
York. Her father was a native of Massa- 
chusetts. Their union has been blessed with 
five children: Edward D., Eldret M., Fanny, 
B. H., Llewellyn A. and Charles A. 

In 1884 Edward B. and Eldret purchased 
a valuable ranch, a mile square, one mile 
west of Santa Paula. This is principally a 
stock farm, and they are raising draft and 
blooded horses, grade Durham cattle and 
Berkshire hogs These young men were 
educated in San Francisco and are practical 
stock men. Eldret M. has special charge of 
the horses. Their property is beautifully 
located in one of the richest valleys in South- 
ern California. 

Edward B. Williams dates his birth Decem- 
ber 21, 1851. He was married in 1881 to 
Miss Lizy Butcher. She was born Decem- 
ber 29, 1860, in Canada, and removed with 
her father to Michigan when she was quite 
young. They have two children: Aneta, 
born in Ventura, April 6, 1886; and Howard, 
born in Santa Paula, October 10, 1888. He 
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Eldret M. was born December 3, 1854, and 
is still a single man; one of excellent habits 
and character. 



♦§*$Mf« 



I E. MOORE, of Santa Paula, is a pio- 
neer of the State of California. He 

'1° was born in New York, of which State 
his father, John Moore, was also a native, 
and his motlier, whose maiden name was Lydia 
Todd, a daughter of Jared Todd. The an- 
crstors of the family on both sides have been 
Americans, tracing as far back as the early 



settlement of this country. In John Moore's 
family were ten children, five of whom are 
still living. The subject of this notice was 
born September 5, 1837, and was three years 
old when the family removed to Hillsdale 
County, Michigan, where he was brought up 
on a farm. In 1859 he came to California 
and engaged in mining in Placer County, 
and afterward eight or nine years in the 
State of Nevada, with varied success. In 
1869 he came to what was then Santa Bar- 
bara County, now Ventura, and bought a 
squatter's claim a mile and a quarter east of 
Santa Paula, built a house and improved the 
place (160 acres), which he still owns and to 
which he has added other ten acres by pur- 
chase. He carries on general farming. He 
has recently built a nice town residence on 
Eighth street, Santa Paula, where he now 
resides with his family, in a quiet and unas- 
suming way, surrounded with the comforts 
of life, the well earned results of strict econ- 
omy and industry. Mr. Moore has ever 
been a Republican; is a generous neighbor 
and kind husband and father. In 1872 he 
married Miss Annie Warren, a native of 
Wisconsin, bom August 19, 1855, and they 
have one son, Enos Leroy, born in Santa 
Paula, August 26, 1877. 



tUTHER SKELLENGER, of Santa 
Paula, is a native of New Jersey, born 
in the town of Decker, Sussex County, 
March 20, 1825. He followed the contractor 
and builders' trade until in April, 1861, 
when President Lincoln made his first call 
for volunteers to put down the Rebellion, he 
enlisted as a private in Company C, First New 
Jersey Volunteer Infantry. At the expira- 
tion of six months he re-enlisted in Company 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



311 



C, Seventh New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, 
and was detailed on recruiting service. He 
raised a company, of which he was elected 
First Lieutenant. 

When he returned for the service he 
bought a small flour-mill and was engaged 
in the milling business several years. Mr. 
Skellenger came to California in 1887, on 
account of his wife's health, and in San 
Buenaventura started a large furniture store. 
Mrs. Skellenger did not recover her health, 
and died soon after coming here. He sold 
his furniture store in 1889, and bought a 
ranch in Wheeler Canon consisting of 800 
acres, on which his son, Fred, is in charge. 
They removed to Santa Paula, where he 
bought property and built a home and furni- 
ture store. The business is under the firm 
name of Skellenger Brothers. They are do- 
ing the principal business in their line of 
goods in the city. Mr. Skellenger has re- 
tired from active life, and his sons are con- 
ducting the ranch and store; the store is in 
charge of Walter H. Skellenger. They are 
enterprising men of high character. 

The ancestors of the family came from 
Amsterdam, Holland, and settled on Lorg 
Island. At one time most of the island was 
owned by the family, and some of it is still 
in the family, which was obtained in 
1842. W. II. Skellenger's son, Frank 
Herbert, is the last of an unbroken line of 
eight generations, as follows: Jacob Skel- 
lenger was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 
1625, and came to America in 1653. His 
sun was Jacob (second); his son was Daniel, 
born on Long Island; his son was Daniel 
(second), and was also born on Long Island; 
his son, Elisha P., was born in Morris 
County, New Jersey, and was a shoemaker; 
he died in 1839, at seventy-two years of age; 
his son, Elisha, was born in Sussex County, 
New Jersey, November 24, 1800. He was 



the father of Luther, the subject of this 
sketch, who was the father of Walter H., the 
father of Herbert Frank. 

Mr. Skellenger, our subject, is a member 
of the G. A. P., and of the I. O. O. F. In 
the East the family were Congregationalists; 
but in Santa Paula, as there is no church of 
that denomination, they have united with 
the Presbyterian Church. Walter H. is a 
member of the choir, and also superintend- 
ent of the Sunday-school. He is a member 
of the K. of P., the K. of H., the S. of V. 
and the I. O. F. Since the death of his 
wife Mr. Skellencrer makes his home with his 
son in Santa Paula. 

Mr. Skellenger was married in 1847, to 
Miss Maria Vaness. They have had three 
children, all of whom are deceased. After 
six years of wedded life Mrs. Skellenger died, 
of consumption. In 1855 he was again 
married, to Miss Ada C. Kelsey, a native of 
New Jersey, born Jun'e 30, 1837, and daugh- 
ter of J. B. Kelsey, also a native of New 
Jersey. They haA T e four children, two 
boys and two girls, viz.: Walter H., born in 
Newark, New Jersey, May 31, 1856, and 
was married in 1879 to Miss Mae^ie A. 
Nichols, a native of New Jersey, born in 
1860. They have three children: Frank 
H., born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1882, 
Luther J., born in Newark, in 1886, and 
Marion Ethel, born June 6, 1890, at Santa 
Paula, California. Fred, born October 17, 
1859; Mary Ida, April 15, 1862; and Clara 
K., March 6, 1864. 



F. ROTSLER is one of the prominent 
ranchers of Santa Paula, Ventura 
• 9 County, California. He came from 
Missouri to his present locality in 1874. Mr. 
Rotslor was born in Baden, Germany, January 



312 



SANTA BARBA11A, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



4, 1831. His parents were natives of Germany 
and his father was a machinist. Young Rotsler 
obtained his education in Germany and in 
1849, at the age of nineteen years, came to 
the United States. He located in New York 
and worked in a machine shop in Green 
County, putting up machinery in woolen 
factories. He next engaged in the manu- 
facture of straw paper, in Columbia County, 
and after running the paper-mill two years, 
he built a flouring-mill in Green County, 
which he ran two years. He sold out, con- 
ducted a mercantile business four years, sold 
it in 1866 and in 1867 went to Missouri. He 
purchased 130 acres of improved land in 
Audrain County, and a new house and eight 
acres of land in Martinsbnro> Here for 
four years he was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, after which he again sold out, went 
into a merchant mill at Mexico, Missouri, 
ran it three years, then disposed of it, and, 
in 1874, came to California. He purchased 
seventy-five acres of land near Saticoy, built 
a house and improved the property; sold 
out ten years later; lived in Yentura one 
year; went to Los Angeles, bought and sold 
property there; and then came to his present 
locality. Here he purchased twenty acres of 
choice land, built a very attractive house and 
fine barn and has made this property a val- 
uable one. He is engaged in raising Lima 
beans. Ten acres of this land are devoted to 
walnuts, and Mr. Rotsler also has a large va- 
riety of fruit trees for family use. 

He was married in Green County, New 
York, in 1854, to Miss Sarah E. Golden, a 
native of that State. They had three chil- 
dren: Georgiana G., born in Green County, 
New York, married Scott Gibson, and is a 
resident of Saticoy; Charles D., also born in 
Green County, died at the age of twenty- 
three years; and Willie S., born in the same 
place, married Sarah Middleton, and lives in 



Los Angeles. After seventeen years of wedded 
life, Mrs. Rotsler died. In 1872 Mr. Rotsler 
married Miss Hannah E. Lewis, a native of 
New York, daughter of Abel Lewis of that 
State. Their union has been blessed with two 
sons, both born in Saticoy, L. F. and S. L. 
Politically Mr. Rotsler is a Democrat. 

■-• "% * h « { • %" -»«' 



C. RILEY was born in Tennessee, 
February 9, 1818. He is a son of 
Q Stephen Riley, who was a native of 
South Carolina, and was of Irish ancestry. 
His mother, Nancy (Walker) Riley, was the 
daughter of Rev. West Walker, a Baptist 
minister of Tennessee. C. C. Riley was the 
fourth of a family of ten children, five of 
whom are living. He was reared and edu- 
cated in Tennessee and Missouri, and when 
he became a man he purchased a farm of 161 
acres in the latter State, and was engaged in 
agricultural pursuits there for seven or eight 
years. In 1853 he sold out and went to 
Oregon. He there improved 160 acres of 
land, on which he lived until 1869, when he 
again sold out and located in San Luis 
Obispo County, California. In 1872 he 
came to Yentura County, bought a Govern- 
ment claim, built a good home and planted 
trees. The location of this ranch is a fine 
one. Looking at it from the highway, it 
presents an inviting and home-like appear- 
ance, and plainly indicates the industry and 
thrift of the owner. Mr. Riley's son, West, 
is conducting the farming operations, and is 
a most industrious and worthy man. 

Mr. Riley was married in 1843, to Miss 
Sarah Loveall, a native of Kentucky, and 
daughter of Abraham Loveall, a Baptist 
minister. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have had a 
family of nine children, six of whom are 
living, viz.: West, Stephen A. Douglas, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



313 



George B. McClellan, Lucinda, Rachal and 
Nancy Jane. 

At the age of thirty years Mr. Riley was 
ordained as a Baptist minister, and has been 
an efficient laborer in the vineyard of the 
Lord. Recently, on account of advanced 
age and ill health, he only preaches occasion- 
ally. He was the organizer of the first Bap- 
tist Church in San Luis Obispo, and has 
been a leader in many revival meetings. 
Through his instrumentality many souls 
have been lead to accept the offers of salva- 
tion and obey the Lord's command. Mr. 
Riley's political views are Democratic. 



-►♦SLii»4f-f''-»SW- 

& » - a; 



^RANCIS J. BECKWITH is one of the 
Jill reliable ranchers of the section of the 
< TP a county where he resides. He was born 
in Ontario County, New York, August 14, 
1834, of Scotch ancestry. His father, Nathan 
Beckwith, Jr., was born about the year 1798, 
resided in the State of New York for many 
years, and removed to Towa, and from there 
back to Ontario County, New York, where 
he died at the age of sixty-five years. 
His grandfather, Nathan Beckwith, Sr., 
was a resident of Oswego County, 
New York, for many years, and an early 
settler there. Three of the Beckwiths were 
in the war of 1812. Mr. Beckwith's mother, 
Phebe (Granger) Beckwith, was born in On- 
tario County, New York, in 1808. She was 
the daughter of Elihu Granger, who came 
from New Jersey and settled in New York, 
where he resided for many years. Theii an- 
cestors had for a long time been residents of 
America. Mr. Beckwith was the youngest 
of a family of seven children, three of whom 
are now living. The family moved to Indi- 
ana when he was quite young, and he was 
reared on a farm and educated in the public 

20 



schools of that State. Early in life he lost 
his father, and he remained on the farm with 
his mother until he was twenty-seven years 
old, and has made farming his life occupa- 
tion. When Mr. Beckwith left home he re- 
moved to Michigan and purchased a farm 
near Vermontville, Eaton County, where he 
resided for two years in a log house of his 
own building — the only kind in which the 
early settlers lived. He sold out and worked 
in a mill for three years. In 1874 he came 
to California, and September 21 he came to 
his present ranch. He remained with his 
brother, Appleton Beckwith, who owned the 
ranch, for two years. Then he returned to 
Indiana, and two years later came back to 
California and worked for his brother nearly 
a year. February 3, 1881, Appleton Beck- 
with died, bequeathing his ranch to the sub- 
ject of this sketch and another brother. This 
brother Mr. Beckwith has since bought out, 
and now owns the whole ranch, about 700 
acres. Three hundred acres are farming 
lands, and the rest is pasture and waste land. 
The location of this property is in a beauti- 
ful farming country. Hogs and cattle were 
formerly the chief products of this district, 
but now the principal crop is corn and beans, 
twenty-five centals of corn to the acre and 
2,000 pounds of Lima beans per acre being 
an average crop. Mr. Beckwith has made 
most of the improvements on the place. 
The grounds, with trees and flowers, every- 
thing about the house, the large barns and 
well-filled corn-cribs, all denote plenty and 
comfort. Twelve acres are in bearing En<> 
lish walnut trees, sixteen years old, and there 
is also a fine orchard containing a variety of 
fruit. The walnut grove yields at present 
£100 per acre. 

In 1859 Mr. Beckwith married Miss Sarah 
Greenmayer, who was born in Ohio, July 5' 
1S41. 1 1 or father, Jesse Greenmayer, was a 



314 



SANTA BARBA11A, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



native of Pennsylvania, born in 1818, of 
Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestors. They have 
had a family of four children, all living. 
The two oldest were born in Indiana: Caro- 
line M., September 20, 1860, now the wife 
of George A. Jones, and resides near Ven- 
tura; Charles F., January 12, 1862. Del- 
bert T. was born in Michigan, January 31, 
1869, and Emma G. was born in California, 
October 22, 1878. Charles and Delbert are 
settled near their father, and Emma is at 
home with her parents. Mr. Beckwith's 
political views are Republican. 



fOHN IRWIN is one of the business men 
of Santa Paula. A brief sketch of his 
life is as follows: Mr. Irwin was born in 
Cherry Tree, Venango County, Pennsylvania, 
May 4, 1841. His father, William Irwin, 
was a native of the same place, and his grand- 
lather was one of the early settlers of that 
county, and lived to be eighty-seven years 
old. His great-grandfather, Richard Irwin, 
was born in County Armagh Ireland, in 
1740, and immigrated to Pennsylvania in 
1761, at the age of twenty-one years. In 1809 
John Irwin built the first grist-mill in Cherry 
Tree, and the first saw-mill in the township 
was built by Ninian Irwin in 1823. Both 
John and Ninian Irwin were appointed jus- 
tice of the peace and held the office for years. 
Most of this early history was obtained from 
Judge John Irwin, a judge and prominent 
citizen of Cherry Tree for many years in the 
early history of the county of Venango. Mr. 
Irwin's mother's maiden name was Eliza 
Stewart. She was a native of the same State, 
and was a daughter of Elijah Stewart, who 
was also born in Pennsylvania. When the 
subject of this sketch was nineteen years old 
his father died, and upon him devolved the 



care of the farm and his mother and six 
children. His early educational advantages 
were limited, and he is evidently a self-made 
man. He remained with the family until 
twenty -eight years of age. When John was 
quite a small boy his father kept a dairy, and 
the boys early learned to take charge of the 
stock. Mr. Irwin says that when he was only 
eleven years old he both bought and sold cows. 
He was thus inured to hard work in early 
life and also learned something of the man- 
ao-einent of the farm and stock; although he 
was a slight lad, at twenty-one weighing only 
100 pounds. His birth-place was only four 
miles from the first producing oil well in the 
oil regions of that State, the Drake, which 
was opened in 1859. When his farm work 
was done, Mr. Irwin often worked at the oil 
wells for wages, and after a time purchased 
an outlit and took contracts to sink wells. 
The owner of the well furnished the boiler 
and engine and wood iig; the other material 
was furnished by the driller. After working 
in this way for twelve years, he took an in- 
terest in wells and became an oil-well owner. 
In speaking of productive wells, Mr. Irwin 
says the most productive well he had any- 
thing to do with was the u Old Sherman." 
It flowed 1,200 barrels per day, aud it was 
estimated that it flowed 1,900,000 barrels, 
and it was then pumped for twenty years. 
This well was 600 feet deep. 

Mr. Irwin had always taken an interest in 
stock-raising, and in 1883 came to California, 
prospecting. Mr. Lyman Stewart cause at 
the same time and together they looked the 
oil region over. After looking the country 
over they decided that there was a good open- 
ing for development. Mr. Stewart telegraphed 
Mr. W. L. Hardison, and at once they began 
to make roads to the localities of this work, 
of which Mr. Irwin was superintendent. Mr. 
Hardison came out and arrangements were 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



315 



made, and in May, 1883, he went back for 
machinery and men. Mr. Irwin made the 
preliminary preparations for the wells at New- 
hall and then came to Santa Paula Canon and 
engaged in preparations to drill and develop. 
When a man goes into new tields in this way, 
such work is called by oil men wild-eating. 
Mr. Irwin has done much of this work. He 
continued at Santa Paula until 1887, when 
he went to Sespe Canon, eighteen miles east 
of Santa Paula, where they now have wells, 
with a pipe line to the refinery. Mr. Irwin 
is superintendent of Held work, having a com- 
plete supervision of the whole business of 
sinking the wells, of their production and of 
making the roads to them. This is the Sespe 
Oil Company. Thomas R. Bard is president 
and W. L. Hardison is general manager. 

Mr. Irwin was married in 1868, to Miss 
Caroline B. Canfield, of Niagara County, 
New York. They have one son, Ralph, who 
was born in Cherry Tree, Venango County, 
Pennsylvania, September 9, 1874. 

Mr. Irwin cast his first presidential vote 
for Abraham Lincoln, and has been a Re- 
publican ever since. He is the owner of 
property in Santa Paula and a nice cottage 
near the center of the town. Mr. Irwin is a 
well informed man, and has had a long ex- 
perience in the oil business. His efforts in 
that direction in Ventura County have been 
crowned with success, and are resulting in 
the growth and upbuilding of Santa Paula. 



A. GUIBERSON, one of the early 
settlers and prominent ranchers of 
°" Ventura County, was born in Holmes 
County, Ohio, January 1, 1838. He was the 
son of Rev. J. W. Guiberson, a native of 
Pennsylvania, and a minister of the Methodist 
church for many years. lie removed to Ohio 



and from there to California, where death his 
occurred at the age of seventy years, caused 
by the bite of a rattlesnake in the hand; he 
only lived seven hours after receiving the 
wound. Mr. Guiberson's grandfather, Samuel 
Guiberson, was born in New Jersey, and re- 
moved to Ohio when it was a wilderness. 
When he reached majority there was some 
member of the Whig party who objected to 
his voting, although he had been raiseJ a 
Whig; he was so enraged at them that he 
voted the Democratic ticket, and for several 
generations, to the present time, the Guiber- 
sons have voted that ticket. Mr. Guiberson's 
mother was Catherine (Knight) Guiberson, a 
native of Ohio, born in 1805. She was the 
daughter of Mr. George Knight, a native of 
England. They have six children, three boys 
and three girls, four of whom survive. 

Mr. Guiberson, our subject, was educated 
in Ohio, and raised on his father's farm. In 
1860, when twenty-two years of age, he came 
to California, and settled at Placerville, en- 
gaging in contracting. He then went to 
Napa Valley, and leased land, and in 1869, 
came to what Avas then Santa Barbara County, 
now Ventura County, and settled upon what 
he supposed to be Government land, where he 
remained three years, and on discovering his 
mistake he left it and went to his present place, 
twelve miles east of Santa Paula and three 
miles from Fillmore Station. Here he has a 
fine ranch of 1,300 acres, and in 1888 built a 
fine residence upon it. He is enira^ed in 
raising grain and stock, but his specialty is 
stock; he is raising Berkshire hogs, Durham 
cattle and draft horses. 

Mr. Guiberson was married in I860, to 
Miss Ellen Green, a great-granddaughter of 
General Nathaniel Green, of Revolutionary 
fame. She was born in Missouri, in 1840, 
and is a daughter of Mr. Joseph X. Green, a 
nativeof Virginia. They have eight children, 



31& 



SANTA BARBARA, &AX LUIS OBISPO 



five boys and three girls. The first. two were 
born in Napa County, and the others on the 
rancli in Ventura County, viz.: Lorane, J, 
W., N. G., S A., W. R, Zuleki, Carrie, 
Blanch. J. W. is a merchant in Santa Paula; 
Nathanial S. is clerking for his brother in 
the store; he is nineteen years of age, being 
six feet seven inches high, and weighing 225 
pounds. Lorane is in business in Arkansas. 
Mr. Guiberson and his two eldest sons are 
members of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. 
Guiberson is a member of the Methodist 
church at Fillmore. He has been too much 
occupied on his ranch to give much attention 
to politics, but has been appointed deputy 
sheriff, and also deputy assessor of the county 
of Ventura. Notwithstanding the hardships 
of pioneer life for thirty years, he still is a 
young-looking man, and has a long life before 
him in which to enjoy the fruits of high cul- 
tivation that has now come to the beautiful 
valley, ai d which he has helped to bring about. 

fA. CON AWAY, residing near Fillmore, 
is one of California's pioneers. He 
01 was born in West Virginia, April 4, 
1830. His father, Eli Conaway, was a native 
of Virginia, and his great-grandfather was 
born in Ireland, and came to America before 
the Revolution. His mother, Mary (Baker) 
Conaway, was a native of Virginia, of Welsh 
ancestry. They had a family of nine children, 
of whom Mr. Conaway was the sixth. He 
was educated in Virginia, and finished his 
education in Iowa. He left home in 1849, 
and remained in Wisconsin two years; he 
then went to Missouri, and he worked in 
Ashley, Pike County, that State, part of the 
time as an overseer on a plantation; the rest 
of the time he was in a shop running an 
engine and sawing lumber. In 1853 he 



crossed the plains to California, with an ox 
team, having a prosperous and safe journey. 
He settled on a ranch in Amador County, 
and engaged in raising stock. He then re- 
moved to San Joaquin County, and settled 
upon a Government ranch, where he per- 
fected the title and made it his home 'for 
twelve years; he improved the place by build- 
ing upon it and planting a vineyard and 
orchard. For his present place he bought a 
Government claim, and also paid the railroad 
for it. The railroad soon after wanted the 
right of way, and he received his money back. 
Mr. Conaway took the place when it was wild 
and uncultivated, and has s-ince built a fine 
house, and planted fruit of all descriptions, 
and the whole place shows the work of a 
first-class farmer; every tree and shrub has 
been planted by his own hands. He is en- 
gaged in general farming, and his orchard 
contains fruit of nearly every variety. 

Mr. Conaway has held public office in the 
county for years; he was one of the first 
Supervisors of the county, and Assessor seven 
years. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Church at San Buenaventura. 
Mr. Conaway is a Democrat and a temper- 
ance man. 

He was married in 1859, to Miss Lizzie 
Jane Blarney, a native of England. They 
have had thirteen children; only ten are now 
living, five boys and five girls, all born in 
California, viz.: May, Kate, Austin E., Alice 
P., Jennie B., Charles W., Lulu V. and Lelia 
V., twins, Ethan W. and Albion N. (twins), 
and T. Benton. 



fAMES CASS, one of the pioneers of 
California, who came to the State July 8, 
1849, by sea, on the ship Orpheus, was 
a sailor before the mast. Mr. Cass was born 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



317 



in Somerset, England, November 24, 1824, 
the only child of James and Harriet Cass, of 
English descent. He went to sea at the age 
of ten years, and came to the United States 
in 1836. He made New York his headquar- 
ters, but sailed on the coast of the United 
States until 1841. He then returned to 
England and attended school for one year, 
and then resumed his occupation as a sailor. 
He was promoted mate of the brig Trio of 
New York. In 1849 when the gold fever 
was raging, he came to. California, and was 
employed on the schooner, Olevia, to run on 
the Sacramento River, at $150 per month. 
He sailed for three months, carrying supplies 
up the river for the miners. In September, 
1849, he went to the mines at Coloma, and 
from there he went to Dry Town, where he 
mined in the winter and sailed on the river 
in the summer. When at the mines he did 
well until he was attacked with the chills and 
fever. He became a' pilot on the river, and 
was paid $250 a month. In the fall he again 
tried mining, and took out about $2,500 in 
two weeks. He then formed a company with 
Joseph Cracborn, Charles Salmon and Levi 
Shepherd, and started the Boston Store on 
Dry Creek, two and a half miles north of the 
Q Ranch. It was opened November 1, 1850, 
and the following June he sold his interest 
and purchased 160 acres of land and engaged 
in farming. He was inexperienced in the 
business and met with un looked for diffi- 
culties, the floods being the most serious 
difficulty. His farming venture proved a 
failure, and he again engaged in store-keep- 
ing at Mule Town, on his own account, but, 
afterward Mr. Walden Lords became a part- 
ner in the business. They continued for six 
months, when they sold out and took up 
Government land, each taking a quarter sec- 
tion and engaged in the raising of hogs. 
They paid high prices for their stock, and 



when they were ready to sell them the prices 
had gone down and they met with heavy 
losses. From 1858 to 1859 he remained on 
his ranch with various experiences. In 
November, 1867, he sold out and came to 
Cayucos (an Indian name for canoe) and took 
up 320 acres of Government land, one and a 
half miles out of the town. He ens-ao-ed in 
raising stock and farming until 1869, when 
he sold the property and engaged with Cap- 
tain Ingals in building the wharf. There 
have been some changes in proprietorship, 
and Mr. Cass is now the sole manager of the 
business, owning a half interest. 

Mr. Cass is a member of King David's 
Lodge, F. & A. M. of San Luis Obispo. He 
has passed through all the chairs of the Odd 
Fellows Lodge; he is also a Knight Templar. 
In his political views he is a Republican. 
As Mr. Cass has been connected with the 
construction of his own wharf, and has had 
much experience in the expense connected 
with the destruction of piles by the teredo, 
he has set his mind to work to provide a 
remedy, and has the credit of having invested 
and patented a pile preserver, which, at a 
small expense, preserves them for many years, 
and his system has been adopted by wharf 
owners all along the coast. Thus by his 
genius he has not only saved his own com- 
pany large expense, but has given a valuable 
invention to the world. He is a pioneer of 
the State, but is still a strong and hearty 
man. Within a few rods of his store and 
wharf he has built a beautiful residence, 
where he and his wife and daughter reside, 
surrounded by trees, flowers and shrubs, a 
fitting place for a pioneer of California to 
spend the evening of life. 

In 1854 Mr. Cass was united in marriage 
to Miss Mary Stone, a daughter of William 
Stone, a native of Iloldham, England. They 
have four children, all of whom are living, 



318 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



viz.: Sarah, Charles A., Emily and Henry 
K. Mrs. Cass died in 1858, and in 1860 he 
was again married to Miss Mary McMurry, 
a native of New York. They have one 



daughter, Rosa M. 






J. EALY, a rancher near Fillmore, was 
horn in Johnson County, Iowa, Feb- 
h rnary 12, 1853. His father, William 
C. Ealy, is a native of Pennsylvania, born 
November 3, 1815; was an architect and 
builder, and is now a resident of Kansas. 
His grandfather, John Ealy, was German, as 
was also his ancestry. He emigrated with 
his brother to this country during the Revo- 
lutionary war, in which they both took part, 
on the side of American liberty. One of the 
brothers settled in New York, the other 
(John) in Pennsylvania, and from these 
sprang two distinct lines, one called the 
Yankee and the other the Dutch. Mr. Ealy's 
mother, nee Margaret Ellen Williamson, was 
born in Kentucky, March 19, 1824. Her 
father, about thirty years before the civil 
war, was the owner of a number of slaves in 
Kentucky, and, becoming convinced that 
slavery was wrong he voluntarily freed them. 
William C. Ealy's eldest child is now Mrs. 
Lizzie Jepson, of Ventura County. His 
second son, John William, is a publisher in 
New York city. The third child, Henry B., 
is a dealer in agricultural implements in 
Keokuk, Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch, the youngest 
son, was reared and educated in Iowa City, 
and there learned the tinner's trade, which he 
followed for nineteen years. He had a hard- 
ware store in Dysart, Tama County, Iowa; 
but, being in poor health, he disposed of his 
business interests there and came to his pres- 
ent location in Southern California. He pur- 



chased from the railroad company and Gov- 
ernment a ranch of 200 acres, and secured 
satisfactory title to the same. This property 
is located two miles and a half east of Fill- 
more, in one of the most productive sections 
of the country, and is each year becoming 
more valuable. Mr. Ealy at once set about 
its improvement, built a home and planted a 
large variety of fruit trees and also walnut 
trees. A fine spring and two wells furnish 
an ample supply of water for the place. Mr. 
Ealy also started a general merchandise store, 
and for four years was Postmaster. Since 
comirg to this sunny land he has fully recov- 
ered his health, and is now in a fair way to 
enjoy life. 

He was married in 1872, at Iowa City, 
Iowa, on Christmas eve, to Miss Ella Whis- 
ler, daughter of John Whisler, a native of 
Pennsylvania. She was born and reared in 
Cedar County, Iowa. Their union has been 
blessed with two children, Willie C, born in 
Dysart, Iowa, January 7, 1876, and Kay J., 
born in Ventura County, California, October 
20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Ealy are members 
of the Christian Church. Mr. Ealy is a life- 
long Republican. 

«o» » !% • I t < £ » <?l «»-«0»; 



fH. DUNHAM is one of the most 
prominent business men of Santa 
^ ° Paula, is a stockholder in and a direc- 
tor of the Hardison & Stewart Oil Company, 
and Superintendent of the Mission Transfer 
Company's oil refinery. There are four 
companies here interested in the oil develop- 
ment: the Hardison-Stewart Company, the 
Sespe Oil Company, Torrey Cafion Oil Com- 
pany, and also the Mission Transfer Com- 
pany, which latter are refiners and marketers 
of the oil and transfer it from the wells to 
their refinery and see to its shipment. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



319 



Mr. Dunham was born in Fairhaven, 
Massachusetts, October 26, 1855. He is a 
son of Rufus A. Dunham, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, born in September, 1819. His 
grandfather, George Dunham, was also born 
in Massachusetts. They are of English an- 
cestry. Robert Dunham, who is the pro- 
genitor of the American branch of the fam- 
ily, was born in England about the year 
1760. When sixteen years of age he was 
drafted into the English army to fight the 
American Colonies. When he reached Amer- 
ica he took the n'rst opportunity offered to 
join the American forces, and at the close of 
the war he made his home in Massachusetts. 
He was a descendant of Sir R. Dunham, a 
Knight of the west of England. They had a 
family coat-of-arms, which is yet in existence, 
and it is stated that at the close of the war 
he expected to found an estate in America, 
but was not successful as it was contrary to 
the ideas of the founders of a republic. Mr. 
Dunham's mother's maiden name was Han- 
nah Morton Westgate. She was born in 
.Rochester, Massachusetts, in 1821. In speak- 
ing of Mr. Dunham's paternal ancestors, it 
should be further stated that his great-grand- 
mother, nee Mary Albertson, was a direct 
descendant of Peregrine White, one of the 
original Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony. 
The subject of this sketch was the seventh of 
a family of twelve children, ten of whom are 
now living. He was reared and educated in 
his native town, graduating at the high school 
at the age of sixteen. When he was eight- 
een years old he engaged in the steam 
laundry business, in which he continued six 
years. He then removed to Olean, New 
York, and went into the employ of the 
Acme Oil Company, remaining with them 
seven years and in that time learning the 
business thoroughly. From there he came 
to Santa Paula, California, to superintend the 



construction of the oil refinery and to oper- 
ate the works, in which business he is still 
engaged. The capital stock of the Mission 
Transfer Company is $250,000, and their re- 
finery is the most complete of all on the 
Coast. The quality of their refined petro- 
linm is unsurpassed by any in the world. 
Mr. Dunham is a most competent man in 
his line of business. He is a man of few 
words, but has a fine business head and is a 
gentleman of first-class business integrity. 

Mrs. Dunham is a native of Massachusetts , 
born in April, 1863. Her maiden name was 
Alice M. Green, and she is the daughter of 
Captain Paul Green, of that State. She and 
Mr. Dunham were married in 1882. They 
are both Methodists and he is a steward and 
trustee of that church. Mr. Dunham is 
affiliated with the Independant Order of Odd 
Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham reside in a 
beautiful and substantial new house of their 
own planning and building. The grounds 
are being ornamented with trees and flowers, 
and the place is fast becoming one of those 
delightful homes, of which there are so many 
in Southern California. 

— ~~»«g -i M S ' g i>~ — 



RICE GRIMES is one of the prominent 
pioneers of Ventura County, having 
arrived in what was then Santa Bar- 
bara County in 1866, and was intimately 
connected with the formation of the county 
of Ventura. He was born in Missouri. De- 
cember 12, 1829. His father, Thomas 11. 
Grimes, was a native of Kentucky, and his 
grandfather Grimes was born in Virginia, of 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, the original American 
ancestors of the family having settled in the 
"Old Dominion" as early as 1748. Mr. 
Grimes' mother, nee Sarah Gibson, was born 
in St. Charles County, Missouri, daughter of 



320 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Joseph Gibson, a native of South Carolina,of 
English ancestry. The subject of this sketch 
is the oldest of a family of ten children, five 
of whom are living. His father owned a large 
farm in Missouri, and there he was reared 
and received limited school advantages. In 
1852 he came to California, and engaged in 
mining with the usual success and reverses 
of the miner. While he was mining in 
Shasta County he lost $1,600 by the failure 
of the Adams Express Company, besides 
suffering other heavy losses about the same 
time. After three years spent in the mines, 
he went to Napa County to regain his health. 
Upon his recovery he went to work again 
with that indomitable will which is always 
sure to overcome reverses. He engaged in 
draying for a time, then built a warehouse, 
was in the forwarding and commission busi- 
ness, and afterward turned his attention to 
general merchandise. He remained there 
until 1860, when he located in San Luis 
Obispo County. While there was under 
sheriff for two years, and had some of the 
roughest characters to arrest and imprison, 
having as many as fifteen in jail at one time. 
Murders and robberies were frequent at that 
time, and che utmost care and shrewdness 
was required in the detection and arrest of 
the perpetrators of crimes. Mr. Grimes re- 
moved to Los Angeles County and farmed 
there three years, after which he came to San 
Buenaventura and. in partnership with Mr. 
Edwards, opened the pioneer hardware store 
of the city, snd also did a produce business. 
Two or three years later he sold out to his 
partner, who afterward sold to Mr. F. W. 
Baker. Mr. Grimes came to his present 
locality and purchased 160 acres of land in 
the picturesque canon which bears his name. 
He has here planted several thousand trees, 
French prunes, apricots, peaches, nectarines, 
apples, pears, and other varieties, including 



oranges and lemons. Mr. Grimes is now a 
dealer in lumber and builders' hardware at 
Fillmore. 

In 1858 Mr. Grimes wedded Miss Elenora 
Hogle, a native of Jefferson City, Missouri, 
whose father, John Francis Hogle, was born 
in Canada; her mother, Jane (Jacoby) Ho- 
gle, was a native of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. 
Grimes have four children, George H., Frank, 
Lillie and Robert. Those of the children 
not at home are married and settled near by. 
Mrs. Grimes is a worthy member of the 
Christian Church, and her husband's prefer- 
ences are for that denomination. 

At the time of the formation of Ventura 
County, Mr. Grimes was an active worker in 
that movement and one of the committee to 
help draft the bill for the division of the coun- 
ty, as he also was in the construction of the 
line brick school-house in San Buenaventura, 
which was built at a cost of $10,000, and was 
considered a grand achievement for the place. 
He has long been a school trustee, and at 
that time was clerk of the school board, and 
much of the management of the building de- 
volved on him. When he removed to the 
Willow Grove district he helped to build the 
school-house there; was afterward cut off 
into the Bardsdale district, and was also in- 
strumental in the erection of a fine school- 
building there. Mr. Grimes has been a 
prominent Democrat, has been a delegate to 
many of the State and coiinty conventions. 
In 1884 he made many speeches, advocating 
Grover Cleveland's election for President, and 
in 1886 he made a strong speech in favor of 
ex-Congressman Berry for Governor. Was 
one of the candidates for the election to the 
State Constitutional Convention, and ran 
ahead of his ticket more than 2,000 votes; and 
in 1890 he was much talked of by the papers 
and his friends as an available candidate for 
Congress in the Sixth District of California 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



321 



In speaking of bis experience as a miner, 
Mr. Grimes says that a man who was at work 
for him on the Yreka flats, in 1853, picked 
up a nugget of solid gold that was sold for 
$1,028, a little over four pounds in weight 
of very pure gold. Notwithstanding his 
long pioneer and business career, Mr. Grimes 
is still an active business man, and bids fair 
to spend many years in the enjoyment of his 
home in Grimes Canon. 



fRANK SMITH.— One of the hustling 
biisiness men of Santa Barbara is Frank 
Smith, who was born on the frontier, 
in Kendall County, Illinois, December 30, 
1845, his father having immigrated to 
that country from New Hampshire in 1814 
with a family of nine children, Frank mak- 
ing the tenth and being the youngest of the 
family, of whom two sisters and five brothers 
are still living. Frank received a limited 
education at the high school in Joliet, Illi- 
nois. At the age of eighteen years he was 
employed by H. C. Carpenter, a prominent 
grain buyer of Joliet, as book-keeper, re- 
maining five years. He was then employed 
by Carpenter, Truby & Company, grain buy- 
ers, who operated on the line of the Illinois 
and Michigan Canal, until 1870, when in 
company with two brothers, N. D. and J. M. 
Smith and a nephew, J. T. Johnson, they 
came to California. The firm of N. D. & 
Frank Smith established themselves at Car- 
penteria as pioneers in the lumber and ship- 
ping business, using surf boats as communi 
cation between land and vessels. In 1874 
they built a wharf, when deliveries to and 
from the vessels were made much easier. In 
1876 Frank bought out N. D. Smith and 
took in his brother, J. M. Smith, as partner, 
which continued until January, 1889, when 



Frank bought out J. M., and now carries on 
the business alone. Mr. Smith is also Post- 
master of Carpenteria. 

In connection with above interests Mr. 
Smith moved his famly to Santa Barbara in 
1872, and entered the employ of J. P. Steams 
as wharfinger. In January, 1888, Mr. Steams 
organized a stock company of his wharf in- 
terest, called the Steam Wharf Company, in 
which our subject bought stock and was ap- 
pointed a director and secretary of the com- 
pany. In the fall of 1882 Mr. Smith was 
elected County Assessor, and was re-elected 
in 1886 in opposition to Mr. Garrotson, the 
former popular assessor who was the nominee 
of the Democratic party, winning by the 
handsome majority of 700 votes. Mr. Smith 
employs five deputies through the country. 

Mr. Smith was married in Kendall County, 
Illinois, in 1868, to Miss Annie Corey, and 
they have four sons, all living. Mr. Smith 
is a member of Santa Barbara Lodge, No. 
156, I. O. O. F., and of the A. O. U. W. 



J|EWIS A. HARDISON is a native of 
Wft Maine, born August 9, 1853. His 
^^ father, Oliver A. Hardison, was born in 
the same State, May 18, 1830. Their ances- 
try is the same as that of W. L. Hardison 
whose history appears in this book, and who 
is an uncle of the subject of this sketch. 
Lewis A. Ilardison's mother, nee Mary 
O'Leary, was born at Frasier Mills, New 
Brunswick, in the year 1824. He was the 
oldest son in a family of seven children, four 
sons and three daughters, five of whom are 
now living. Mr. Hardison received his edu- 
cation in the public schools of his native 
State, and remained on the farm until he was 
nineteen years of age. At that time he went 



322 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and in 
1872 became a driller of wells, working 
seven years for wages. In 1879 lie got an 
outfit and began to drill wells under contract. 
During the eleven years that he worked 
there he was engaged on as many as fifty- 
three wells, their average depth being about 
1,400 feet, and average cost of drilling $1,000 
each. Four men are employed on each well, 
and termed a drilling crew, two drillers and 
two tool-dressers, one of each for each tour, 
changing at 12 m. and at midnight. When 
the Hardison-Stewart Oil Company com- 
menced operations in California, in 1883, he 
came to Santa Paula and for four years did 
the company's blacksmith work at Pico and 
Santa Paula. Mr. Hardison is the inventor 
and has patented a well drilling machine of 
great simplicity and merit, which he used 
with great advantage in putting down water 
wells in New York during the fall and win- 
ter of 1882-'83. For some time he has been 
the master mechanic of the Hardison-Stew- 
art Oil Company, built their tanks and rigs, 
and superintended the putting up of their 
telephone lines and the laying of their pipe 
lines. He is now superintendent of the Mis- 
sion Transfer Company, and looks after the 
gauging of the oil, sees where it goes and 
keeps an account of the barrels of oil that go 
through their pipes. They have seventy 
miles of telephone and ninety miles of four 
and two-inch pipe lines. 

December 25, 1877, Mr. Hardison was 
united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. 
Brooking, a native of St. Johns, New Found- 
land, born July 22, 1851. They have had 
seven children, five of whom are living, viz.: 
Oliver J., Clara E., Arthur J., Bert and 
Lewis. He and his wife are members of the 
Universalist Church of Santa Paula. His 
political views are Democratic, and inde- 
pendent when he pleases. He was made a 



Master Mason July 14, 1875. Mr. Hardiso" 
has a pleasant home situated on Eighth street, 
between Santa Paula street and Railroad 



avenue. 



-»o» i n> *" £n£" * rs*^H to »- 



||OtlN BRADLEY was born in Northum- 
fj berland County, Upper Canada, in 1833, 
^C his father being interested in the lumber 
business in that county then. They emigrated 
to Michigan in 1843, where his father en- 
gaged in farming. Mr. Bradley's uncle, 
George Bradley, was an Indian agent, one 
well-known and much respected. John 
Bradley started for California, across the 
plains in 1852, traveling with strangers. On 
Bear River Mountain he was seriously ill with 
mountain fever. After recovering, he strayed 
from his train while hunting, and got lost at 
the head of the Humboldt River. He then 
traveled alone and met with many hardships. 
On his arrival in the Golden State he visited 
the mines, and the following ten years were 
passed in the several mining districts, pros- 
pecting, placer mining and butchering. In 
1862 Mr. Bradley made a rich strike. He 
shortly afterward started for the East, and at 
Battle Creek, Michigan, in the same year, 
was married to Miss Yelona M. Yan Buren. 
He then returned to California, bringing his 
wife, and after two more years in the mines, 
he began farming in Yolo County. The land 
was held by the land league and they tried to 
drive off all settlers, but Mr. Bradley per- 
sisted, amid many dangers, and really opened 
up the country. In 1870 he came to Santa 
Barbara, bought 100 acres of land at the head 
of the Montecito Y alley, cleared it, and en- 
gaged in farming. In 1873 he sold his ranch 
and purchased seventy-five acres of tide land, 
where he now resides. Mr. Bradley has 
taken great interest in training horses, and 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



323 



has a short method of training them without 
cruelty. He built a race track, which he 
found very profitable for about four years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have been blessed 
with five children, all living and at home. 
Mr. Bradley is a worthy and respected citizen. 
At present he is School Trustee of Montecito 
district. 



r*tf~-- 

H. DECKER is a pioneer of California, 
having come to the State in 1855, to 
i° Santa Paula in 1867, and to his pres- 
ent ranch in 1870. He was born in Ken- 
nebec County, Maine, August 20, 1832. His 
father, Stephen Decker, was a native of 
Maine, and was a merchant and farmer there; 
and Joshua Decker, his grandfather, was also 
born in that State. Great-grandfather Decker 
was an Englishman by birth. Mr. Decker's 
mother, nee Phelinda Pratt, was also a native 
of Kennebec County, Maine, and her father, 
David Pratt, was born in that State, and was 
at one time a hotel-keeper. Her ancestors 
were English people. 

The subject of this sketch was the youngest, 
except two, of a family of fifteen children, 
six of whom are now living, three sons and 
three daughters. He was reared on his 
father's farm and received his education in 
his native State. When he came to California 
he engaged in mining, in Yuba County, three 
years, and was partially successful. For two 
years he furnished blocks for flumes, and 
from that turned his attention to the lumber 
business in the redwoods, beincr engaged in the 
latter business eight years. Since then he has 
resided in Ventura County. He is the owner 
of 146| acres of well-improved land, and is 
engaged in raising fruit and walnuts. The 
walnut trees were planted in 1878 and began 
to bear at live years old. They now average 



from fifty to sixty pounds to the tree. He 
has a few orange trees that are doing well. 
At the time he settled here, Mr. Decker sup- 
posed his ranch to be Government land, and 
has had not a little trouble in securing proper 
title to the land. At last, after an expensive 
suit, he now has both Government title and a 
deed from the railroad. 

Mr. Decker was married, in September, 
1853, to Miss Mary Lewis, a native of Maine. 
To them was born a daughter, Frances, 
June 14, 1854, who is now the wife of George 
P. Wilier, and resides at Newton. He was 
again married, August 12, 1873, to Miss 
Emily M. Rowell, a native of Maine. They 
had three children, all born at their present 
home in Ventura County: Burtis L., May 17, 
1874; George V., October 12, 1876, and 
Bertha N., October 16, 1878. Mrs. Decker's 
death occurred October 22, 1885. June 2, 
1888, Mr. Decker wedded Miss Gertrude 
Hill, at Santa Paula. She is a native of 
Missouri, born in Richmond, November 18, 
1865. They have one daughter, Ruth, born 
October 22, 1889. 

Mr. Decker is a member and a trustee of 
the Sespe Methodist church. Politically he 
is a Prohibitionist. He is a man who has 
been identified with the best interests of the 
county ever since he took up his residence 
here: has served the public as School Trustee, 
and also as Postmaster of Fillmore, havine 
been the first postmaster, when the office was 
established in 1870. 

— - " £ ' 2 " i ' S" ~- — 




ESSRS. LEE & RICE.— As one ap- 
proaches the town of Santa Paula in 
any direction he will see a star on 
the stones and boulders, and when lie arrives 
in the city he will iind several stars in front 
of a neat and tasteful clothing store. This is 



324 



SAJXTA BABBABA, SAJV LUIS OBISPO 



the Star Clothing House of Santa Paula, the 
firm being Lee & Rice. 

F. E. Lee, of this firm, was born in Detroit, 
Michigan, March 23, 1859. He is the son 
of John L. Lee, who was born in England 
and came to the United States in 1850. Mr. 
Lee was educated in the city of Lansing, tak- 
ing a thorough course in a commercial col- 
lege. He commenced business as a press- 
man, in the State printing office at Lansing, 
and was engaged in press work there for five 
years. Then for a time he was in a store 
with his brother, in Lincoln, Nebraska, after 
which he spent five years in Chicago, on press 
work. From there he came to Los Angeles, 
California, and held the position of foreman 
in the press-room of the Times office, five 
years, until he came to Santa Paula. Mr. 
Lee is married to Miss Balcom, one of the 
fairest young ladies of Santa Paula, daughter 
of W. E. Balcom, a wealthy and influential 
citizen of Santa Paula. 

J. C Rice, who is manager of the store 
with Mr. Lee, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, 
in 1854, and completed his education at the 
Michigan State Normal School, at Ypsilanti. 
He has had experience in the clothing busi- 
ness with the best wholesale houses in the 
East, a^id in Los Angeles, both as a salesman 
and traveling man. He has thus gained a 
knowledge of the cost of goods which is of 
much value to him in their present business. 
Mr. Rice was married, September 22, 1889, 
to Miss Fanny M. Baker, daughter of C. N. 
Baker, a prominent resident of Santa Paula 
and a member of the Board of County Super- 
visors. 

These gentlemen are both talented business 
men. They established their business in 
Santa Paula September 22, 1889. They pur- 
chased the building in which their store is 
located, in the business center of the town, 
have a fine stock of goods, and quite an ex- 



tensive trade. Both Mr. Lee and Mr. Rice 
are Republicans and both are worthy mem- 
bers of the K. of P. 

fAMES M. SHORT, of Engl ish-Welsh 
descent, was born at North Swansea, 
Massachusetts, in 1835. His ancestors 
came to Massachusetts in 1840, and shared 
the hardships of the early Indian wars, the 
war of the Revolution, and also the war of 
1812. His father, Henry S. Short, was a 
machinist by trade. James M., after leaving 
the public schools, finished his education at 
the Warren Institute at Rhode Island and at 
the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's 
Hill. He started for California in Jamiary, 
1858, on the steamer Star of the West, via 
the Isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco 
on the steamer John L. Stephens, making 
the voyage safely in twenty-four days. After 
spending a few days in San Francisco, he 
went to Eureka, Humboldt County, and after- 
ward to Areata, where he en sacred in teach- 
ing in the public schools, remaining about 
five years. It is quite interesting to hear 
him relate his experience in the Indian 
troubles that prevailed there for several 
years. In the fall of 1864 Mr. Short gave 
up teaching to accept the office of County 
Clerk, to which he was elected, and was re- 
elected in 1866. In November, 1868, he 
came to Santa Barbara and purchased prop- 
erty at East Santa Barbara. In 1870 he 
bought an interest in the Las Graces Ranch, 
and engaged in sheep-raising for about twelve 
years, and disposed of this interest in 1862. 
From 1879 to 1882 Mr. Short was a member 
of the Board of Supervisors of Santa Bar-, 
bara. For six years he has served as School 
Trustee, and has been trustee of the city 
library since its organization. He engaged 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



325 



in the culture of pampas in 1882, and has 
since been interested in its production. 

Mr. Short was married at Eureka, Califor- 
nia, in 1865, to Miss Margaret Singley. 
They have one son, Henry S., and a daughter, 
Lillian L. Mr. Short is a veteran Odd Fel- 
low of nearly thirty years' standing, and is 
a member of Channel City Lodge, No. 232. 



NNA M. LOGAN.— On one of the 
nicest residence streets in the heart of 
■^ Santa Paula, and . in one of the most 
artistic houses in the place, lives Mrs. Anna 
M. Logan, widow of Dr. Marshall L. Logan, 
who was a prominent citizen and dentist of 
Tyrone, Pennsylvania. The Doctor was born 
at Saulsburg, Huntingdon County, Pennsyl- 
vania, August 21, 1844. When quite young 
he was bereft of his parents by death, and 
left to his own resources, but succeeded in 
gaining a liberal education in the public 
schools and in the Philadelphia University. 
"When the great civil Avar broke out, with 
the patriotism of a hero and the ardor of 
3 7 outh, he enlisted in the service of his coun- 
try in the Twenty second Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteer Cavahy, and fought through that 
great struggle with distinction and honor, 
until he beheld the banner of victory float- 
ing over a preserved and undivided country. 
He returned to his home and took up the 
study of dentistry, and in 1871 went to Ty- 
rone, where with signal success he practiced 
his profession for fifteen years. lie rapidly 
rose to a position of distinction in his pro- 
fession, and conducted it in a strictly upright 
and honorable manner, and enjoyed the re- 
spect of his fellow-citizens and a lucrative 
practice. He was the inventor of the Logan 
Tooth Crown, which is now in use by den- 
tists throughout the world. Dr. Logan was 



married November 23, 1869, to Miss Anna 
Raney, a native of Pennsylvania, horn Octo- 
ber 27, 1846. Her father, Alexander Raney, 
was a native of Pennsylvania, a well-to-do 
farmer, who like many others lost his eldest 
son in the great Rebellion. The Doctor and 
Mrs. Logan had a family of three children, 
two daughters and a son, all born at Tyrone, 
Pennsylvania: Gertrude E., Mary A. and 
George Burkett. Dr. Logan had received 
two wounds while fighting in the defense of 
his country, one by a spent hall in the left 
lung, and one in the back of his head, and it 
is believed that the wound in the lung in- 
duced consumption, which terminated in his 
death. It firsc manifested itself in 1883, 
and December 9, 1885, he died. At the 
time of his death he was a member of the 
school board, a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and of the independent order of Odd 
Fellows. He was also an honorable member 
of the Pennsylvania State Dental Society. 
Dr. Logan had been for years a consistent 
member of the Methodist church, and a regu- 
lar attendant at church and Sabbath-school. 
He was a man of pleasing manner and fine 
ability, and took an active part in the organi- 
zations to which he belonged, as well as in 
the schools and public welfare. His loss was 
felt not only by his bereaved wife and chil- 
dren, but by the whole county in which he 
lived. Resolutions of high esteem and con- 
dolence were tendered to Mrs. Logan by his 
societies and the school board of which he 
was a member. His funeral was one of the 
largest ever known in that county. 

in 1887, after settling up her business in 
Tyrone, Mrs. Logan, with her children, came 
to Santa Paula and invested $4,000 in the 
property where she now resides. Besides 
the beautiful residence which, with her chil- 
dren, she occupies, she owns three other 
houses which she rents, all being valued at 



326 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



$12,000, and she lives upon her rents and 
interest. She is a lady of refinement and 
intelligence, and has been very successful in 
business. 



f[OSEPH HUBBARD HOLLISTER, 
deceased, a son of John and Philena 
(Hubbard) Hollister, was born in Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, March 9, 1820. His 
parents were from Connecticut. His father 
in early life moved to Ohio, where he estab- 
lished himself on a farm. Joseph here grew 
to manhood. In 1853 he came to California, 
with his brother, Colonel W. N. Hollister, 
crossing the plains with a large flock of sheep, 
— said to be the first lot ever brought to 
California from the East; the brothers sold 
their stock at an excellent profit, and our sub- 
ject returned East for more in 1856. Coming 
West this time with his flock in partnership 
with J. W. Cooper of Santa Barbara, he met 
with a detention in Utah, the Mormon troubles 
there causing them some embarassment to 
travelers. Mr. Hollister deviated from his 
route to the South, entering into Mexico, 
and, owing to the lateness of the season, he 
was obliged to spend the winter there. The 
next year he reached California. In 1860 he 
returned to Ohio for his family, and came to 
California with them in 1865. In that year 
he purchased the Chorro and San Luisito 
ranches in San Luis Obispo County, and he also 
owned a portion of the Lompoc Rancho in 
Santa Barbara County. He was said at one 
time to be also the largest sheep owner in Cali- 
fornia. He made his home on the Chorro 
ranch, five miles distant from San Luis 
Obispo, north, and lived there until his death, 
January 5, 1878. 

June 8, 1843, he married Miss Ellen, a 
daughter of Joseph Mossman, of Ohio, and 



had four children, all of whom are now living, 
viz.: Mrs. Phineas Banning, a widow of Los 
Angeles; Mrs. R. E. Jack, of San Luis 
Obispo; Mrs. Sherman P. Stow and John H. 
Hollister, also of San Luis Obispo, whose 
sketch is given at length. 



j^ON. JOHN H. HOLLISTER, one of 
the most prominent citizens of San Luis 
Obispo County, is the only son of 
Joseph Hubbard Hollister, deceased, whose 
sketch is also given. He was born in New- 
ark, Ohio, November 27, 1856. When he 
was seven years of age the Hollister family 
removed to California, where the father had 
acquired large property interests; and since 
that time the subject of this sketch has made 
California his home, his name being con- 
spicuous among those who have aided the 
development of the agricultural interests of 
the State and more especially of San Luis 
Obispo County. He received an excellent 
education, finally graduating with honors at 
the State University at Berkeley. Since 1866 
he has made the county of San Luis Obispo 
his home, his present residence being in the 
city. His country home, on the beautiful 
Chorro Rancho, containing 2,000 acres, is 
located five miles northwest of San Luis 
Obispo. He is a large property holder, and 
extensively engaged in the cattle business, 
both in this State and Arizona. In partner- 
ship with Judge Frederick Adams of San 
Luis Obispo, he has two ranches in the latter 
Territory, namely, the Santa Rosa in Pima 
County, fifty miles southeast from Tucson, 
and the Las Cienegas in Graham County, on 
the Gila River; and on these are 5,000 head 
of cattle. Mr. Hollister is also one of the 
owners of Chimnicos Rancho of 20,000 acres, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



327 



in San Luis Obispo, which is used for stock 
purposes. 

In matters political Mr. Hollister is a con- 
spicuous figure. When but twenty-three 
years of age he was a Supervisor of the 
county, — the youngest who was ever a mem- 
ber of the board, as well as one of the most 
active, competent and intelligent. In 1882 
he was the Republican candidate for the 
Assembly, when the Democrats were well 
organized and in the majority, and he made 
a spendid canvass, gaining the election. His 
record in the Assembly was distinguished by 
able and conscientious work. He introduced 
measures, which were passed, becoming the 
anti-oleomargarine law, the law to extir- 
pate fruit-tree pests and to prevent diseases 
in fruit trees, etc., laws of importance to the 
agriculturists. He is a member of the orders 
of Patrons of Husbandry, Knights of Pythias 
and Free Masons, is in the State Militia, from 
which he has passed through the different 
grades from private up to the rank of Major. 
He is interested in all matters connected with 
the progress of this State. 

April 22, 1880, is the date of his marriage 
to Miss Flora May Stocking, a native of 
Sonoma County, this State, and they have 
had five children, four of whom are now 
living: John Hubbard, William M., Mary 
Banning and Flora Hollister. 



C. J. WILSON was born near Wheel- 
ing, West Virginia, in 1822. His 
,c * grandfather emigrated to Virginia in 
early days when the State was so thinly set- 
tled that for months he would not see a whire 
face. The subject of this sketch is the only 
living member of a family of Beven children. 
He was reared on his father's farm and re- 
mained there until the age of twenty-eight 



years, when he came to California, and was 
among the first to cross by the Nicaragua 
route. He arrived at San Francisco, August 
17, 1850, and went to the mines in Tuolumne 
County, near Sonora, where he remained 
seventeen years, working at placer and quartz 
mining. He was once buried twenty-four 
hours in a caving mine, and fully realized 
the sensation of being buried alive! 

Mr. Wilson was married at Sonora in 
1857, to Margaret Ann Calder. They came 
to Santa Barbara in 1867. Here Mr. Wilson 
purchased three blocks, or about fifteen acres, 
at East Santa Barbrra, and has since con- 
tinued to make this place his home. Build- 
ing was difficult and expensive in those days, 
and for a month he lived in his first house 
without a door. During his residence here 
Mr. Wilson has been engaged in stock-raising 
and speculation. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have 
had three children, but only one daughter 
survives. She is now the wife of Harmon 
Bell, of Kansas City. 

fREDERICK STOCK.— The able and 
efficient manager of the works of the 
Los Angeles Granite and Brown Stone 
Company, at Sespe Canon, Ventura County, 
California, is the gentleman whose name 
heads this sketch. He is a thoroughly com- 
petent superintendent, having been reared to 
the business in his father's quarry in England. 
The quarry which this company is operating 
is located eight miles east of Santa Paula, on 
the banks of the Sespe River. The brown 
stone here obtained is exceedingly durable 
and of a splendid texture. For uniformity and 
permanency of color it is unsurpassed by any 
brown stone on the continent. The works, 
under Mr. Stock's management, are being 
run to their great 'st capacity, filling orders 



328 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



for many public buildings of the country. 
They are now at work on orders for the 
Academy of Science and the Concordia Club 
building, San Francisco, also the Keating 
Block, San Diego. They also furnish the 
stone for the Reform School building. The 
stone for the Whittier building was supplied 
by them, the corner-stone of which weighed 
ten tons. They are now getting out six 
stones, fifty- two feet cube, each weighing seven 
tons. 

Mr. Stock was born in England, October 9, 
1859, the son of John and Ann (Thomas) 
Stock, natives of England. John Stock was 
the owner of a quarry, and both his sons 
learned that business with him. The quarry 
is still in the possession of the family, and is 
now being conducted by his son Charles. 
Mr. Stock was married in 1878 to Miss Alice 
Emily Player, a native of Bristol, England. 
They have three children, born in England: 
Walter, Yictor and Greta. Mr. Stock is a 
member of the Cono-re^ational church of Los 
Angeles city. 

fOSIAH KEENE was born in the State 
of Maine, December 19, 1828. His 
father, Jeremiah Keene, was also born in 
the " Pine Tree State, " and his grandfather, 
Isaac Keene, was a native of Massachusetts, 
and served in both the Revolution and the 
war of 1812. The Keenes were of Scotch- 
English descent. Josiah Keene's mother, 
nee Rebecca Kendall, was born in Maine, a 
daughter of Colonel David Kendall, who was 
also a native of Maine and a soldier in the 
war of 1812. They were of Welsh ancestry, 
who came to America in the early Colonial 
times. Mr. Keene's grandmother, on the 
maternal side, was a Cobourne, a cousin of 
Governor Cobourne of Maine, and a member 



of one of the oldest families of the State. 
The subject of this sketch was the fifth of a 
family of fourteen children. All but two are 
still living. There were three pairs of twins 
in the family. In 1888 a reunion of the 
family was held in Minnesota, and members 
of the family from all parts of the country 
assembled there, ten grey-haired men and 
women being present. 

Mr. Keene was reared and received a good 
education in the public schools of his native 
State. At the commencement of the great 
civil war, he enlisted, in April, 1861, as a 
private soldier, He served nearly three years, 
or until the time of losing his left arm at 
the battle of Chattanooga. He participated 
in twenty-two hard-fought battles, first at 
Mills Springs, then at Pittsburg Landing, 
Corinth, Stone River, Perryville, Franklin, 
and all the engagements of his regiment. 
After he was wounded he was taken prisoner, 
and his arm was treated in the Rebel lines. 
Twelve days later he was exchanged Mr. 
Keene considers it one of Mr. Lincoln's best 
acts when he exchanged 10,000 able Con- 
federate prisoners for 10,000 maimed men, 
of whom he was one. It was a year before 
he was able to work, and then he obtained a 
clerkship in the Treasury Department at 
Washington and served ten years in that 
capacity. The close confinement was in- 
jurious to his health, and, in September, 
1874, he came to California, and spent months 
in looking over the coast before he finally 
settled. He purchased three acres of land at 
San Buenaventura, on which he built a small 
house. After the boom he erected a very 
fine residence on that beautiful street, Ven- 
tura Avenue, where the family now reside. 
In the fall of 1875 he took a Government 
claim of 160 acres of land and also a timber 
culture of 160 more. This is located six 
miles due east of Santa Paula. He has 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



329 



planted seventy-live acres to trees and vines. 
Twenty -five acres are in olives, forty acres in 
raising grapes, two acres in a variety of fruit 
and the rest in Eucalyptus trees. 

Mr. Keene was married, January 1, 1874, 
to Miss Lucy E. Monroe, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, and a daughter of Rev. Calvin H. 
Monroe, of that State, a minister of the Bap- 
tist church. Their union has been blessed 
with five children. Kendall C, was born in 
the city of Washington. The following were 
born in Ventura, California; Allen EL, Her- 
man B., Ro bo- Vesta and Helen L. Mr. and 
Mrs. Keene are members of the Methodist 
Chnrch. He is a Republican and an active 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 



- — «0« d i|> 



•inh 



jATHEW ATMORE, of Santa Paula, 
|<y\V/ttlt is another one of the many brave and 
'^^^ worthy pioneers of the great State of 
California, and is justly entitled to honorable 
mention in a work of this character. A sketch 
of his life is as follows: 

Mathew Atmore was born in England in 
1837. His parents, Mathew and Maria 
(Pond) Atmore, were English people, and his 
father was a Methodist minister The family 
came to America in 1846, when the subject 
of this sketch was nine years of age, and set- 
tled at Battle Creek, Michigan. There young 
Atmore was sent to school. When seventeen 
years old he ran away from home with an 
older brother, Charles (now of Denver), came 
across the plains to California, and went into 
the mines in El Dorado County, where he 
mined for a year, making $600 clear. They 
then returned to Michigan aud remained at 
home during the winter. The following 
spring their father furnished them with 
money to come back to California, and when 
they reached the mines they were §600 in 

21 



debt, which they paid after mining three 
mcnths. The second year they engaged in 
freighting from Sacramento to Virginia. 
Some idea of the difficulties and expenses of 
freighting in those days may be obtained 
from the following facts: seven yoke of oxen 
and a large wagon cost $1,400; the cost per 
yoke to shoe the oxen was $7. Seven yoke 
of oxen were required to each wagon; their 
freight was heavy castings for stamp-mills, 
each wagon being capable of hauling six tons, 
and the price per pound for freighting being 
thirteen cents; in addition to the castings 
they also carried a ton of hay and a ton of 
ground feed; the roads down the mountain 
sides were very bad, and the grade so steep 
in some places that the rear wheels were rim 
down with wooden shoes; the toll on ' these 
mountain roads was $40 for a single trip, and 
twenty-two days were required to make the 
journey. On two trips they brought back 
silver ore, in sacks of $250 each. On the 
last trip one of the 6acks was stolen, and 
they afterward refused to take the risk of 
freighting silver. They followed this busi- 
ness two years, always receiving their pay in 
checks, the only kind they dare take, for the 
country was infested with thieves. 

At this time the great war of the Rebel- 
lion burst upon the country, and when the 
news of the firing on Fort Sumter, and, 
later, the battle of Bull Run, reached the far 
West, the patriotic enthusiasm of every loyal 
man was fired, and each stood ready to serve 
his country. Mr. Atmore enlisted in 1861, 
in Company K, Second Cavalry, California 
Volunteers, and was in garrison in San Fran- 
cisco until the following July. At that time 
the Utah expedition was organized and placed 
under command of Colonel P. Edwin Conner 
of the Third Infantry. Six companies of 
cavalry and ten of infantry started for Salt 
Lake City July 10, 1862. In Nevada the 



330 



SANTA BABBABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



expedition was reorganized, and in September 
the march was continued. They established 
Fort Ruby, and two companies were left to 
garrison the fort. At the Jordan River, 
forty miles south of Salt Lake City, they were 
met with orders from Brigham Young to 
proceed no farther. The answer sent to Mr. 
Young was that they would cross the Jordan 
River if hell were at the bottom. At sun- 
down, October 10, the bugle i-ounded for dress 
parade. They formed in line when the an- 
swer was read, and the order given to march 
at 3 o'clock the next morning and take eighty 
rounds of cartridges; the artillery were to 
take all the ammunition they could carry. At 
3 o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, 
they were in Salt Lake City. Mr. Atmore's 
company was in the advance, and as they en- 
tered the city there was not a Mormon in 
sight. They were hailed with delight by the 
American residents, and the Governor of the 
Territory made them a speech of welcome on 
the public square. On an eminence over- 
looking the city, two and a fourth miles away, 
with the mountains in the rear, with a splen- 
did view of the country for forty miles in 
front and with a bountiful supply of water, 
they went into temporary quarters. They 
dug holes, ten feet square and four feet deep, 
and placed logs around the top, on which they 
built their tents. In these they passed the 
winter, and here they permanently established 
Fort Douglas, which still stands there, al- 
though efforts have been made for its removal. 
The object of this expedition was to protect 
the Americans at Salt Lake City from any 
rebellious movement on the part of the Mor- 
mons, and also to prevent the renegade In- 
dians from their frequent deeds of murder 
and plunder. At this time their deeds had 
been formidable, and many American citizens 
had been surprised,, murdered and robbed by 
them. There was a band of some 600 red 



men overrunning that part of the country, 
and the soldiers under Colonel Conner had 
had several skirmishes with them. Many of 
the soldiers had crossed the plains and had 
sustained not a little suffering from the hands 
of the Indians, one man having been scorched 
to the knees by them; and the determination 
of the commander was to punish the Indians 
for these outrages. 

Colonel Conner waited until the snow was 
two feet deep, and the Indians had established 
their winter quarters, when he decided to 
make an attack. The Indian camp was 140 
miles away, fourteen miles from the town of 
Logan, with only an Indian trail from Logan 
to the camp. The expedition consisted of 
256 cavalry, and twenty-live infantry to es- 
cort the wagon train. They took one 12-pound 
howitzer, with six men, all under the com- 
mand of Lieutenant Honeyman Hough. The 
distance was made in four days and nights, 
and the advance guard captured four Indians 
at the town of Logan, to prevent news of 
their arrival being carried to the camp. They 
left Logan in the evening and the next morn- 
ing at sunrise drew up on the fouth bank of 
the Bear River, a quarter of a mile below the 
Indian camp. r lhe river at the ford was three 
feet deep, with ice on either bank, and great 
difficulty was experienced in getting the 
broncos across. The Indians were ready to 
receive them, there being 1,100 in camp, men, 
women and children, with 600 braves, some 
of the latter being mounted and riding around 
in circles, as if to intimidate the whites. The 
order was given to dismount and charge, 
when within a short distance of the enemy. 
Mr. Atmore and his comrade took aim at the 
chief nearest them, and, without orders, fired, 
and the chief Bear Hunter, dropped from his 
horse. When within ten feet of the Indians, 
the order was given to fire. The tight lasted 
until about half-past nine o'clock. The In- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



331 



dians had had a black flag out all morning, 
indicating no quarter. About 10 o'clock a 
white shirt was hoisted in its place. The in- 
terpreter was ordered to tell the women and 
children to come out, and a call was made for 
ten volunteers to go down to the head of the 
ravine and keep them from escaping to the 
hills. Twelve w T ent, Mr. Atmore being one 
of the number. They were met by forty In- 
dians and a tierce conflict ensued. Inside of 
twenty minutes two of the whites were killed 
and four wounded. (Adolphus Roe, Company 
K, of Berrien County, Michigan, and J. 
Adams, same company, Third Infantry, from 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, were the killed.) 
At this time the troops were ordered to close 
in, and in less than fifteen minutes the fight 
was over. Orders were given to kill the 
wounded Indians, and the men who had suf- 
fered by them in crossing the plains were 
not slow to obey the command. The Union 
loss was twenty-two killed and fifty-four 
wounded, out of a total of less than 300 men. 
Not more than 100 fighting Indians got 
away, the women and children were not mo- 
lested, and the command returned with about 
600 ponies; twenty-five of the best horses 
they could not catch, and they were shot. 
The camp was full of plunder and the soldiers 
were six days in returning to the fort. In 
the spring they started after Pocatello, the 
chief of the renegade Snakes, who, however, 
made good his escape. That summer they 
were engaged in fighting the Indians on the 
overland route. In October they made peace, 
and thus ended the Indian troubles. Mr. 
Atmore returned to Salt Lake City, was mus- 
tered out of service, and went East. Twenty- 
six of them each paid a man $100 tu take 
them tu the Missouri River, and most of the 
way they found it necessary to walk to keep 
from freezing. 

Mr. Atmore then settled in Van Buren 



County, Michigan, and remained there twelve 
years; then spent a winter in Nebraska, after 
which he came to Santa Paula, California, in 
1876. He worked for two years by the day, 
and then bought a Government claim of sixty- 
two acres, located six miles east of Santa 
Paula. He also purchased a water-right and 
afterward sold a part of it for §3,000, re- 
serving four inches of water. He then bought 
twenty-five acres of land at $100 per acre. 
He has here erected a comfortable home, sur- 
rounded by trees of his own planting. 

Mr. Atmore wa6 married in 1865 to Miss 
Mary E. Gorham, a native of England. They 
have four children: Haider, Grace D., Run- 
sen D. and Frank. Mrs Atmore was in 
delicate health before coming to this State, 
and the invigorating climate of Southern 
California has greatly benefited, her, and her 
life has been prolonged. Mr. Atmore is a 
Republican and a worth}' member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. 



►>^ 



BRAM MUSCIO, a prominent rancher 
of San Luis Obispo County, was born 
March, 1849, in Someo, Canton Ticino, 
Switzerland, the youngest of nine children, 
whose parents are stili living, at the old 
Switzerland home. Abram left home in 
November, 1866, and arrived at New York, 
the principal port of the New World, during 
the next month; but he came at once to Cali- 
fornia, by way of Panama, arriving at San 
Francisco January 12, 1867. He first set- 
tled in Marin County, and was engaged there 
ten years principally in the dairy business, 
with Batista Tomasini. In 1876 ho came to 
San Luis Obispo County, locating on the 
coast four and a half miles north of Cay u COS, 
renting a ranch of 1,300 acres. In 1884 lie 
was able to purchase this property, on which 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



he now resides, engaged chiefly in dairying, 
with good success. The dwelling and dairy 
buildings are models, and there is no prettier 
front yard in the county. The highest esthetic 
taste is exhibited in the architecture of the 
residence and the plan of the grounds. Mr. 
Mucio also owns a rancho of 1,450 acres in 
Green Valley, which he has rented; but the 
stock thereon, 170 cows, he owns. He is also 
a prominent man in many business enter- 
prises; is a stockholder in the Commercial 
Bank of San Luis Obispo, etc. 

He was married in June, 1871, to Miss 
Assonta Righetti, and has six children, whom 
he is educating with care. The two oldest 
sons are now pursuing their studies at San 
Francisco. 



W. BUELL, whose handsome resi- 
|Wfe dence stands out very prominently 
- Q among those of East Santa Barbara, 
was born at Essex, Vermont, March 18, 
1836. His grandfather, Samuel Buell, was 
a resident of Connecticut, but, being drill- 
master during the Revolutionary war and 
located in Vermont, he became familiar 
with that country and later went there with 
his family and located. He moved in the 
winter on an ox sled, and it is said of his 
wife that when not too cold as she journeyed, 
she passed the time in knitting. Mr. Buell's 
father, Linas Buell, was born in Vermont, and 
lived to the ripe old age of seventy-one years. 
The old homestead, which was built 105 years 
ago, is still in the Buell family. A. W. Buell 
lived at home until twenty-one years of age, 
when he started for California, March 17, 
1857. First went to St. Louis by rail and 
boat, and there joined a party of sixteen men, 
one woman and child, all from Vermont, 
which composed what was known as the 



Yankee train. With three wagons, each 
drawn by three yoke of oxen, about eighty 
head of loose stock and 3,500 sheep, they 
started on their long march across the plains, 
taking the northern route. After ten months 
of travel and a hard, tiresome passage, they 
arrived at San Francisco, the " Mecca of their 
pilgrimage," December 25, 1857. He then 
joined a brother who came to California in 
1853, and together they engaged in farming, 
planting potatoes and sowing barley, with 
good results. Then for several years Mr. 
Buell engaged in the dairy business, keeping 
160 cows, and in one year making 60,000 
pounds of cheese and three tons of butter, and 
selling $1 500 worth of hogs. In 1867 he 
came to Santa Barbara and bought a one- 
fourth interest in the Juanita ranch, of about 
26,664 acres. Later he traded his interest 
for the Canada Corral Rancho, at El Capitan, 
and there resided until May 1, 1889, engaged 
in stock-raising and dairy business. Mr. 
Buell brought the first American dairy cows 
to the county. He sold his ranch and stock 
interests May 1, 1889, and moved to his pres- 
ent spacious residence, which he had built in 
1888, and there he has since resided in quiet 
contentment. 

Mr. Buell was married on the Buena Vista 
ranch, Monterey Connty, December 25, 1868, 
to Miss Marter Carter, a lady whom he had 
known in childhood. This union has been 
blessed by t-even children. 

>»«-..| v' » ?) | ^ i. ?< » to . 



^ENRY H. ARNOLD, the oldest of the 
Arnold bi others, who came to California 
in 1852, and settled in Ventura County, 
two miles east of Hueneme, in 1871, was born 
in De Kalb County, Illinois, November 10, 
1837. (For the father's history, see the 
sketch of Mathew H. Arnold, in this book.) 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



333 



Henry H. left his native State when fourteen 
years of age, and came across the Isthmus of 
Nicaragua to California, with the family, 
and settled in Marysville, in 1857. He 
located 160 acres of land in Lassen County, 
built a house and made it his home for four- 
teen yesrs, being engaged in raising grain 
and stock. He sold out and came to Ventura 
County in 1871, as already stated, his father 
having come to this county two years previ- 
ous to that time, thinking he had found the 
finest tract of Government land. They were 
more then a month coming from Lassen 
County, and their outfit consisted of four 
wagons drawn by horses, the party number- 
ing Henry H. and Leroy Arnold, B. J. Rob- 
ertson (father-in-law of the subject of this 
sketch), his son Frank, and their wives and 
children — eleven in all. They camped out 
every night, and a-; there was plenty of deer, 
antelope, and quails, they had all the meat 
they wanted. In their journey across the 
plains and in their pioneer life in the far 
West they had become accustomed to that 
kind of life, and enjoyed it. When they ar- 
rived at their destination they found a squat- 
ter's board shanty on nearly every quarter- 
section of land. Mr. Arnold went up the 
Sespe River to look for a place, but returned 
and settled in his present locality. This land 
proved to belong to Thomas Scott, and Mr. 
Arnold bought 160 acres, on which they 
camped for three monnths, or until he got a 
house built. In 1881 he built a better house, 
and in 1889 he added to it and remodeled it, 
until he now has a commodious home. Mr. 
Arnold'6 principal crop has been barley, and 
he has farmed from 300 to 1,200 acres of 
land. He is also engaged in raising horses, 
Belgium stock, and is the owner of Dandy 
Dick, a fine thoroughbred, seventeen and a 
half hands high, weight 1,720 pounds. 

Mr. Arnold was married in 1866 to Miss 



Permilia Robertson, a native of Illinois. 
They have five children, Charles R. and An- 
nie Gk, born in Lassen County, and the three 
younger, Lizzie, Nellie and Eliza, born in 
Ventura County. Charles R. married Miss 
Helen Hodge, a native of California. They 
have a little daughter, Hazel. This son also 
has a nice house on the ranch. 

The subject of this sketch belongs to the 
A. O. U. W,, and has been a life-long Re- 
publican. His first vote was cast for that 
great, good man, Abraham Lincoln. The 
Arnold brothers own large tracts of land ad- 
joining each other, and are all prominent 
ranchers of the county. 

AMUEL D. ANDERSON was born in 
the State of Pennsylvania, May 4, I860 
the son of John and Elizabeth C. 
(Roe) Anderson, both natives of Ohio. They 
had a family of nine children, eight of whom 
are living, Samuel D. being the oldest. 
When he was a boy the family removed to 
Iowa. He attended the public schools of that 
place and finished his education at a college 
at Princeton, Kentucky. After reaching 
the years of maturity, his first work was in 
the milling business. He soon afterward 
turned his attention to theology, and became 
a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and was pastor of a charge. The 
church prospered under his ministry for a 
number of years, and he has ever been a 
worthy Christian man. The greater part of 
his life, however, has been spent on a farm. 

Mr. Anderson was married in 1854, to 
Miss Nancy J. McClaran, a native of Ohio, 
who removed to Iowa when quite young. Mr. 
and Mrs. Anderson had one child, Mary 
Elizabeth, born September 24, 1855, and died 
October 15, 1858. Having no family of their 



334 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



own left, they adopted a little girl, Elizabeth 
Jane Hill, taking their own name, and a boy, 
Thomas Thurman. The former, at the age of 
twelve and a half years, sickened and died. 
The latter, Thomas Anderson, is still with 
them, and is now twenty-five years of age. 

Mr. Anderson is the owner of a beautiful 
home in the prosperous town of Santa Paula; 
and here his cozy home, like its possessor, 
has an unassuming appearance; but its neat- 
ness and thrift and the flowers in the well- 
kept yard, all indicate peace and contentment 
— a fitting place in which to pass the closing 
days of a well-spent life. Mr. Anderson and 
his son are farming ninety acres of land, 
seventy acres of which they devote to beans, 
a crop for which the soil of this country is so 
well adapted. Mr. Anderson has been a Re- 
publican since the formation of that party. 
He was made a Mason in 1860, and was one 
of the charter members of Santa Paula Lodge, 
No. 291. 



fHOMAS A. RICE, a prominent and 
tt\wi- influential citizen of Yentura County 
^ came to California in 1859. He comes 
of a good old Southern stock, which origi- 
nated in England, his great-grandfather Pice 
having come from England to this country 
and settled in North Carolina. To him was 
born a son, Archibald, who wedded Miss 
Richmond, whose ancestors were the founders 
of Richmond, Virginia. To them was born 
a son, William. He married Miss Louisa 
Ish, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of 
William Ish, also a Tennesseean. This 
worthy couple were the parents of seven 
children, of whom the subject of this sketch, 
Thomas A. Rice, was one. He was born in 
Jackson County, Missouri, January 24, 1849. 
His ancestors, on both sides, participated in 



the Revolutionary war. One branch of his 
maternal ancestry is among the oldest Vir- 
ginia families. 

When Thomas A. was ten years of age, the 
family removed to California, coming across 
the plains and bringing with them 1,000 
head of cattle. Here the father was largely 
engaged in stock-raising, both in Merced and 
Contra Costa counties. They had 2,000 
acres of land in Contra Costa County, where 
the family resided, and wmere the father's 
death occurred in 1885. He had been a Dem- 
ocrat all his life, was a strict member of the 
Baptist Church, and was a leading and promi- 
nent man. He was possessed of those generous 
and courteous manners so characteristic of 
the Southern gentleman. It was said of 
William Rice that he lived an exemplary life. 

Thomas a Rice received his education in a 
private school at his home, and began life as 
a farmer on his own fine ranch, in 1876. His 
father had given him 470 acres, and to this 
he has added until he now has 900 acres in 
one body, located seven miles northeast of 
Hneneme and ten miles southeast of Ven- 
tura. He has converted it into a magnificent 
ranch; has a whole village of ranch buildings 
on it and his own school-house. He has re- 
cently built the finest residence in the county. 
It is artistic in design and is planned with 
every modern comfort, including electric 
bells, gas and hot and cold water. Mr. Rice 
is carrying on general farming, and is much 
interested in the breeding of fine horses, both 
driving and draft. In addition to the prop- 
erty already described, he also owns 320 acres 
of land about two miles from his home ranch, 
which is leased and which is being cultivated 
to beans and corn. 

In 1877 Mr. Rice was united in marriage 
with Miss Lilian Elournoy, a native of Santa 
Clara County, California, daughter of Thomas 
Flournoy, now a resident of Danville, Contra 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



'3'do 



Costa County. Their union has been blessed 
with four children: N. Blanche, Madge, P. Al- 
vin, and Merrill. They are being educated at 
home by their governess. Mr. Rice does not 
give much attention to politics, but is a Dem- 
ocrat, and has held the office of Supervisor. 
He inherits those generous traits of character 
for which his ancestors were distinguished; 
is affable alike to both stranger and friend, 
and is much respected and highly spoken of 
by his fellow-citizens. November 4, 1890, 
he was elected to the State Assembly, ou the 
Democratic ticket by a majority of 175. lie 
ran 300 ahead of his ticket in his county, 
Ventura, the highest compliment ever paid 
to a candidate in that county. 



fyfpiniAKI. PAGAN is a pioneer of 
'•' /, V, V. California and of Ventura County. 
"=£j§^ He was born in Pennsylvania, 
Aucrust 26, 1840, the son of John and Annie 
(Dinnell) Fagan. The father was born in 
Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated to Canada 
when a boy. Michael Fagan is one of a fam- 
ily of nine children, five of whom are now 
livincr. After living in Illinois nine years he 
came across the plains with ox teams to Cali- 
fornia, arriving August 13, 1852, and he was 
reared and received his education in Cala- 
is County, California. His mother died 
in 1851, and his father in November, 1852. 
He spent the years 1852-'53-'54 in mining, 
and when he was eighteen years of acre he had 
about §11,000. Til mi f >r a ti n : h > was en- 
gaged in stock-raising. In 1SG2 he went to 

DC D 

Arora, where he was interested in quartz- 
mining. About that time he met with re 
verses and lost nearly all that he bad ma le. 
In 1863 he engaged in farming in San Joa 
qnin County, in partnership with his brother. 
They so ve 1 L,000 ic - in wheat, and. the 



season being dry, the crop was a failure. In 
March. 1S64, Mr. Fagan sailed for Mexico, 
where he engaged in cotton-raising, and the 
last six months of his stay there he was in a 
store. He sold out, prospected a year in 
Arizona, with but little success, returned to 
California and settled in Stanislaus County, 
where he purchased 040 acres of land at Dry 
Creek. Two years later he again sold out, 
went to San Joaquin, engaged in the meat 
business with his brother, and after remain- 
ing there a year, disposed of his interest in 
the meat market, in I860, and came to Ven- 
tura. Here, for four years, he was engaged 
in sheep-raising, having as high as 3,500 
head of sheep at one time, and a part of the 
time being in partnersnip with Mr. Snod- 
grass. He traded the last of his sheep for 
property in Ventura, and during the boom 
sold it and bought 100 acres of land in the 
vicinity of Saticoy. He planted the first 
orchard there, improved bis property, and, in 
1884, sold it for $75 per acre. He then 
bought his present ranch, 740 acres, and 
erected his pleasant home in a most pictur- 
esque spot. The property is principally a 
stock-farm, is fenced in two fields, and an 
abundance of water is supplied for stock from 
a sulphur spring on the place, the water be- 
ing brought in pipes. Mr. Fagan has some 
fine Durham cattle. His property being 
located so near Santa Paula, he pastures a 
great many horses for other people. In ad- 
dition to other improvements made, Mr. Fa 
gan has planted a huge variety of fruit trees, 
principally for home use 

lie was married, April i), 1870, to Miss 
Ila'tie Tillotson, a native of New York. 
They have five children, all born in Ventura 
County, namely: Frank I)., Cora May. Ettie 
Bell, Walter Miller and Marion Morris. The. 
children are all at home with their parents, 
and attend school at Suit a Paula. 



336 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN~ LUIS OBISPO 



Mr. Fagan is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and votes the Democratic ticket. 



■ s » « s ■ 



1ST. GARRISON is a veteran of the 
great war of the Rebellion. He was 
*#^° born in Tompkins County, New York, 
March 26, 1845, the son of John and Sarah 
(Cooper) Garrison, both natives of New York, 
the former born in 1820. His grandfather, 
Abram Garrison, was also born in that State, 
in Putnam County, his ancestors being among 
the early settlers of the State. The subject 
of this sketch was the third of a family of five 
children. He was reared and educated in 
that State, and spent some time clerking in a 
store. 

The war broke out, the old flag was fired 
on at Fort Sumter, and the fires of patriotism 
burned in the hearts of the loyal people of the 
North. President Lincoln called for volun- 
teers. "War meetings were held. Every lit- 
tle town had its company of volunteers, and 
the larger places more. The fife and the 
drum could be heard every day. When the 
strife began Mr. Garrison was only sixteen 
years old, and, although eager to enter the 
service, could not on account of his youth. 
The following August, 1862, when seventeen 
years of age, he enlisted in Company H, One 
Hundred and Seventh New York Volunteer 
Infantry. It was in answer to Mr. Lincoln's 
300,000 call; and they went forth into the 
deadly strife singing, " We are coming, Father 
Abraham, 300,000 more." In a little over a 
month they were in the battle of Antietam; 
and the peaceable farmer boy and clerk and 
student from school had, as by a miracle, 
been transformed into a hero. Then they 
were at Chancellors ville, Gettysburg, and at 
the battle of Lookout Mountain, and in the 



great and notable march with General Sher- 
man from Atlanta to the sea. He partici- 
pated in all the battles that his regiment was 
in during the last three years of the war, and 
never received a scratch, nor was sick a day — 
a noble record for a youth of seventeen. He 
came in at the grand raview at Washington, 
when the war veterans, crowned with victory 
and glory, made their triumphant march 
through the beautiful capital of the great 
country that their heroism had saved. What 
a glorious chapter in a man's life was 
that! 

On being mustered out of the service, Mr. 
Garrison returned to his home and was in 
the oil regions for a time; and not lozig after 
engaged in business in Saginaw, Michigan, 
four years as a merchant and four years as a 
dealer in stock and produce. In 1876 he 
came to the Golden State, and was engaged 
in farming and stock-raising in Yuba County. 
While there he was burned out and met with 
several financial reverses. He is now, 1890, 
located in Yentura County, four miles east 
of Hueneme, on an 800-acre ranch, raising 
barley, hogs, horses and cattle, and is very 
successful. Last year he sold $3,000 worth 
of stock from the ranch. Everything about 
tne place indicates industry and thrift. 

Augugt 11, 1877, Mr. Garrison wedded 
Miss Mary Bayley. She is a native of Ver- 
mont, daughter of George P. Bayley, also of 
the Green Mountain State. In his political 
views Mr. Garrison is a Republican. 

|0> H IV » | l I g « §H «■■ 



™ETER McMILLAN, one of the pioneers 
|r of Santa Paula, Yentura County, was 
born in Canada, March 31, 1834. His 
parents, Donald and Mary McMillan, were 
natives of Canada, and both of Scotch de- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



337 



scent. Mrs. McMillan's maiden name was 
the same as her husband's, while they were 
not relatives. In 1870 Mr. McMillan came 
to Santa Paula. For eighteen months he was 
employed on a ranch, working for wages, 
after which he rented lands and, for two years, 
raised barley and corn. He was not success- 
ful in that enterprise, and again worked by 
the month for a year. In 1874 he built a 
livery stable — the third building in Santa 
Paula — which served as a station on the stage 
route between Santa Barbara and Los An- 
geles. Mr. McMillan had the charge of eight 
stage horses all the time, turning out that 
many at 4 o'clock every morning, and the 
same number at 9 o'clock in the evening. 
His livery stock consisted of two horses, a 
wagon and a spring buggy. One of the 
horses with which he began business, Salem, 
is now twenty-six years old, is a good horse 
yet and is some times let for light work. Mr. 
McMillan bought the ground for his stable 
and also the lumber to build on time. For 
eight years he worked along without getting 
much ahead. He then purchased three acres 
on Main street for $350, and from this he 
sold the lots on which Cleveland Hall and the 
Petrol ia Hotel are built, for $45 per foot 
front. He also owns two acres a little further 
out on the same street, his home property and 
eome other lots. His livery business has in- 
creased until he now has nine rigs and four- 
teen good horses, and is raising some valuable 
colts. Mr. McMillan has been fairly success- 
ful in his business enterprises, and is one of 
the reliable old settlers of Santa Paula. 

December 24, 1884, Mr. McMillan, like 
his father, wedded a lady of his own name, 
Mrs. McMillan. She was born in New 
Brunswick; is the daughter of John Murray 
and widow of William McMillan. She has 
two children by her first husband, William 
and Nellie. Mrs. McMillan is a member of 



the Presbyterian Church. Mr. McMillan is 
affiliated with the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and 
in his political views is a Republican. 



~&->h 



<+•" <■« 



C. WELCH, who occupies a spacious 
home in East Santa Barbara, has suf- 
9 fered all the experiences and priva- 
tions incident to pioneer life. Coming to 
the far West at an early day, he has seen the 
wonderful growth and development of this 
country. Mr. Welch was born in Linden, 
Vermont, August 26, 1826. His father, 
Jacob Welch, was a farmer and miller, own- 
ing both flour and lumber mills. He was a 
descendant of Jacob Welch, of England, 
who emigrated to America in early days. 
Mr. Welch's mother was a daughter of Cap- 
tain De Merritt, who was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war, and assisted at the retak- 
ing of Briggs Hill. 

The subject of this sketch learned the 
trade of scale-maker, in the factory of Fair- 
banks & Company, at St. Johnsbury, Ver- 
mont, now called Fairbanks village. He 
served an apprenticeship of three years, and 
also received an academical education in the 
same town. He came to California in 1849, 
via the Isthmus route, landing at San Fran- 
cisco on December 12, 1849. For one year 
he mined near Sonora, and, although very 
successful, did not like the life of a miner; 
so he purchased a ranch of 320 acres, near 
Stockton, and engaged in general farming, 
his principal crop being hay, which sold 
from $25 to $50 per ton. Here he con- 
traded fever and ague, and in 1854 he camo 
south, first settling at Ventura and later at 
Santa Barbara. In the latter place he started 
a blacksmith shop, and also planted a vine- 
yard of 6,000 vines on the border of the 
Santa Clara River. In those days wine was 



338 



SANTA BAB B ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



made in raw-hide sacks, the grapes being 
treaded out by the Indians in bare feet. In 
1862 Mr. Welch took a trip on horseback to 
Prescott, prospecting, and going by way of 
La Paz. With Daniel Lonnt and brothers 
he built a cabin near the present city of 
Prescott, they being the first white settlers 
of that place. In 1865 he rented the 
orchard and vineyard of the Los Dos Pueblos 
ranch, which was owned by the Den estate, 
and in February, 1866, Mr. Welch married 
the widow of Nicholas Den. He then 
engaged in stock-raising, keeping about 
3,000 sheep and 800 head of cattle. He 
bought his present place in Santa Barbara in 
1878, built a house and moved his family 
here on account of the illness of his wife. 
Mr. Welch lived mainly at the ranch, making 
frequent visits to town. Mrs. Welch died in 
1883. Two years later the subject of this 
sketch sold his stock and his interest in the 
ranch, and did not again engage in business. 
He was married again, at Santa Barbara, in 
June, 1884, to the widow of Pamon J. 
Hill. By this marriage he has one son. 



-**§*£ 



t n » _<! '"-*»» 



fOHN MEARS is one of the pioneers 
of California who came to the State in 
1859, and to Ventura in 1869, before 
the county was formed. Mr. Mears was born 
in Ireland, in 1844, and at the age of eleven 
years came to the United States and lived 
with his aunt, his education being principally 
obtained in this country. When only a large 
boy he started for Illinois and went from 
there to Pike's Peak. After he had made 
enough money to purchase an outfit, he de- 
cided to cross the plains for California. He 
found some difficulty in getting any one to 
go with him, but at last a young German 
agreed to accompany him. They secured a 



one-horse wagon and covered it with canvas, 
having a pole in it in place of thills. They 
attached four yoke of oxen to the wagon 
and, with provisions enough to last, set out 
on their perilous journey June 20, 1859, 
from that part of Colorado where Denver is 
now located. They were not many days on 
the way until they encountered swollen 
streams. The first they crossed without 
sustaining any serious loss, but the second 
proved more difficult, as their wagon was 
wrecked and the most of the provisions lost. 
The German could not swim, so clung to a 
part of the wagon. Mr. Mears, while trying 
to get out of the wagon, got his foot fastened 
and hung with his head in the water, and 
would shortly have been drowned had not 
some plunge of the oxen set him free. He 
then succeeded in reaching some logs and 
was carried down the stream nearly a quarter 
of a mile, when some other emigrants who 
had come up rescued him. He found the 
German on the bank, minus his hat. One 
of the wheels of the wagon was broken, and 
their clothes, money and provisions lost 
in the stream. Their first conclusion was to 
return, and Mr. Mears let an emigrant who 
had helped them have one yoke of the oxen 
to add to his team, on the condition that if 
he did well he would send back the pay for 
it. They found a sack of their flour, and 
the German proposed that they rig up the 
rear wheels of the wagon, start forward and 
overtake the emigrants, and in company 
with them work their way through. With 
willow bark they fastened the end-board of 
the wagon on the hind axletree and secured 
the sack of flour to that; and, cold and wet 
and hungry, they started on and in time fell 
in with the emigrants. By shooting game 
they managed to subsist until they reached 
California, six months later. 

While at Pike's Peak Mr. Mears had be- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



339 



come acquainted with a number of young 
Indians, and run races and jumped with 
them, and an Indian chief had taken a great 
fancy to a navy-blue coat he had, which Mr. 
Mears gave him. The Indian in return pre- 
sented Mr. Mears with a buffalo robe. While 
out on the plains Mr. Mears was some dis- 
tance from the train hunting, and on his re- 
turn saw about fifty Indians about the emi- 
grants, the emigrant train, which consisted 
of about fifteen wagons, having been stopped 
by the Indians. Mr. Mears was somewhat 
alarmed, but knew it was useless to attempt 
an escape, so walked up. The chief recog- 
nized him as the gentleman who had given 
him the coat, shook hands and gave him to 
understand that they wanted water for a sick 
man. The emigrants fearing they would 
not have a sufficient supply for themselves, 
had refused to give them the water. Mr. 
Mears gave them water and also a little 
whisky for the sick man, for which the In- 
dians gave signs of great satisfaction, and 
the train was permitted to proceed. 

When Mr. Mears came to Ventura County 
he first settled on the Santa Ana. At that 
time there weie no settlers there except Mr. 
Arness and another gentleman. Between 
where he now lives and San Buenaventura 
there were only about five houses, which 
were occupied by Mr. Montgomery, Mr. 
McKenna, Mr. Peter Boyle and others. In 
1870 Mr. Mears moved upon the quarter- 
section of "and three miles north of Santa 
Paula, which he had purchased from the 
Government, and there kept bachelor's hall 
for four years, being engaged in sheep-rais- 
ing, having as many as 8,000 head of sheep 
and employing ten men, Americans and 
Spaniards, to assist him in their care. His 
wool was sent by schooner to San Francisco, 
and they drove the fat sheep to that city for 
market. It required two months to make 



the journey, taking 2,000 sheep at a time. 
Mr. Mears has added to his first purchase 
until he now has 1,700 acres, and is engaged 
in general farming, raising sheep, horses and 
cattle, and beans, barley, corn and hay. His 
pasture land is valued at $10 per acre, and 
the farming land at $150 per acre. 

In 1874 Mr. Mears married Miss Ellen 
Lavelle, at Ventura. She is a native of the 
" Emerald Isle," born in 1856. They have 
built a comfortable home, surrounded with 
trees, on the banks of the Santa Paula River. 
They have a family of six children: John 
W., Frances E., George H., Florence, Ellen 
C. and Lawrence M. L. Their iirst born, a 
beautiful little girl, they lost when two years 
and nine months of age. A bean got fast in 
her windpipe, and before medical aid could 
be obtained it went to her lungs and caused 
her death. A fine picture of this little 
daughter hangs in their parlor. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mears are members of the 
Catholic Church. For the past fifteen years 
M r. Mears has served as a School Trustee in 
his district. His political views are Demo- 
cratic. Notwithstanding all that he has seen 
and experienced of pioneer life and advent- 
ures, Mr. Mears is still a young man. He 
is a worthy and respected citizen, and holds 
a prominent place in the community in which 
lie resides. 



<c»-i.+S<i-3+4g-.iJS+-i.-«<>. 

D. SMITH began his pioneer life at 
the age of eleven years by moving 
9 with his parents from Hanover, New 
Hampshire, where he was born in October, 
1833, to Kendall County, Illinois, whore his 
father followed farming. Our subject worked 
at farming until 1870, when he came to Cal- 
ifornia in compay with his two brothers, J. 
M. and Frank Smith. They settled at Car- 



340 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



penteria, and N. D. and Frank were pioneers 
in the shipping and lumber business, taking 
all merchandise through the surf to vessels, 
shipping wood and grain. In 1874 they 
built a wharf and deliveries were made much 
easier. In 1876 he sold his interest to Frank 
and J. M. Smith and the subject of this 
sketch came to Santa Barbara and started 
merchandise business at 618 State street, un- 
der the firm name of Smith & Johnson. In 
1886 Mr. Smith bought Mr. Johnson's in- 
terest and has since continued alone; he car- 
ried a full line of groceries, crackers and pro- 
visions. 

He was first married in Kendall County, 
Illinois, in 1859, to Miss Louise Frise, who 
died in 1877. He then married Miss Car- 
roll Edwards in Santa Barbara in 1879. 
They have one child: Bernice Dee Smith, 
who was born March 28, 1880. 

:ILLIAM O'HARA, a rancher near 
Santa Paula, is a native of Bangor, 
Maine, born May 4, 1841. His father, 
Henry O'Hara, was born in Ireland, in 1804, 
and his mother, Nancy (Galaher) O'Hara, 
was born in the same country, in 1806. His 
parents were married in 1824, and emigrated 
to the State of Maine, where they lived on a 
farm, excepting two years spent in Illinois. 
In 1849 Mr. O'Hara's father came to Cali- 
fornia, and engaged in mining for two years 
in Tuolumne County, and returned to his 
home in Maine. Soon after his return the 
family removed to the State of Illinois, 
where they remained until in 1867 they 
came to Contra Costa County, California, 
where they engaged in farming until his 
father's death. The subject of this sketch 
was a miner in Virginia City, Nevada, two 
years. He was then sent on a mining and 




exploring expedition into the wilds of Ari- 
zona in search of gold, in company with C. 
L. Strong, and backed by the Bank of Cali- 
fornia; the expedition consisted of 100 men. 
They were harassed by the Indians, and a 
good many of their company were murdered. 
They fed the Indians in the day-time, but 
in return they made treacherous attacks upon 
them in the night. The expedition was 
finally abandoned, with a heavy loss. 

In 1865 Mr. O'Hara came to Santa Paula 
and bought 150 acres of land, known as the 
Briggs tract. He afterward sold it and 
bought his present ranch of 160 acres, two 
and a fourth miles west of Santa Paula. 
He bought of a party who took it for Gov- 
ernment land, and it was supposed to have 
been grant land, but after lawing over it for 
nine years to perfect his title he was obliged 
to buy of the ex- mission. At that time the 
valley was a vast mustard field, containing 
only a few settlers. Among them was John 
Montgomery, E. B. Higgins, Peter Boyle and 
William McCormack. Mr. O'Hara built a 
small house and engaged in stock-raising. 
He remained here for twelve years, cooking 
his own food, — a second Robinson Crusoe. 
The little house has since been destroyed, 
and a stately mansion is now occupied and 
filled with the comforts and luxuries of life. 
Beautiful grounds surround the house, planted 
with beautiful trees and shrubs, and the 
whole property is transformed into a most 
delightful home, with its large barns and 
beautiful fields. The whole valley is now 
dotted with fine houses, beautiful trees, and 
wide, well cultivated fields. 

Mr. William O'Hara was married in 1877, 
to Miss Mary E. Kelley, who was born in 
Napa County, California, February 17, 1858, 
the daughter of Michael Kelley, a native of 
County Kilkenny, Ireland. Her mother, 
Maggie (Whalen) Kelley, was also born in 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



341 



Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara have two 
children, a hoy and a girl, hoth horn in their 
present home, viz.: Henry, horn January 21, 
1880; and Georgia, horn Decemher 12, 1886. 
Mr. O'Hara's first efforts on the ranch was 
stock-raising, principally cattle, but after- 
ward in raising barley, corn and hogs. At 
one time he had as many as 3,000 head of 
stock, which never had any disease among 
them; the wild -cat and coyote had to be 
watched to keep them from stealing the 
young pigs. The price received for live 
weight was from two and a half to seven 
cents per pound. He is now engaged in 
bean raising; in 1889 he harvested fifty- 
seven tons, and the price is now five cents 
per pound; the general price is from two 
and a half cents to five cents, according to 
the market. He has added to his original 
purchase forty acres of hill land, and has 
planted 27,000 gum trees, which are doing 
nicely. He is also interested with his broth- 
ers, George and Hugh, and his nephew, John 
McClosky, in 320 acres of oil land, and their 
producing wells give thirty barrels per day. 
They have all the machinery and tools con- 
nected with the business. Mr. O'Hara built 
his present residence in 1887, and it is an 
ornament to the country. He is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., and cast his first vote for 
Abraham Lincoln, and has continued to vote 
for the Republican party. 

~~ » ' i{l ' 3 " £ ' 13" - 



P. SANBORN was born in Kennebec 
I County, Maine, November 1, 1844. 
•° His lather, Captain John Sanborn, 
sailed in the West India trade. In a storm 
his ship was wrecked and all on board lost ex- 
cept the captain and one other man, who were 
rescued, but died two years after from the 
effects of exposure and hunger. Young San- 



born was reared on a farm and attended school 
in his native State. When the war of the 
Rebellion burst upon the country he was only 
seventeen years old, but the patriotic fire 
burned in his young heart, and he enlisted 
September 7, 1861, in Company C, Eighth 
Maine Volunteer Infantry. When his term 
expired he re-enlisted and served gallantly all 
through that great struggle, being mustered 
out January 18, 1866. Their regiment started 
in April, 1864, with 900 men, and after the 
battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, they 
numbered only 160 efficient soldier-. At that 
battle Mr. Sanborn, while making a charge, 
received a gun-shot wound in his shoidder, 
which disabled him from duty for four 
months. He participated in many important 
engagements, and through all acted well the 
part of a brave soldier. Entering the army 
as a private, he was promoted to Orderly 
Sergeant and carried the colors for six or 
seven months. He knows what it is to bear 
the old flag aloft in the midst of shell and shot, 
and lived to see it wave over a united country. 
In 1867 Mr. Sanborn came to California 
and settled in Solano County, where he worked, 
six months on a farm, and afterward farmed 
on the shares and accumulated a little money. 
He then went to Sacramento County and 
bought 200 acres of land, which he improved, 
and on which he engaged in farming. This 
land flooded and the property became worth- 
less. Mr. Sanborn was then foreman on a 
large stock ranch for ten years. He bought 
thirty acres of fruit land at $1.40 per acre, 
in Vaca Valley, which he improved and after- 
ward sold for $300 per acre. He then went 
to San Mateo County and purchased 3,000 
acres of stock ranch, and afterward sold it at 
a profit, and went to King City, Monterey 
County. lie there took the position of fore- 
man on a 25,000-acre stock and grain ranch. 
Some time alter this he went to San Diego 



312 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



and operated in lands and invested in city 
property, and also shipped 157 head of horses 
from the North, meeting with success in all 
of these enterprises. He came to his present 
property in March, 1888, bought forty acres 
of the finest land in the valley, and built a 
house and large barn. In 1889 he realized 
$2,100 from the products of the farm. 

Mr. Sanborn married Miss Emily Palmer, 
a native of Maine, daughter of Reuel Palmer 
of that State. They have one daughter, 
Elteen, born in 1877, in Sacramento County, 
California. 

Mr. Sanborn is a Republican, a member 
of the G. A. P., and a most worthy citizen. 

IMEPSON & COMPANY.— The pro- 
prietors of the handsome and com- 
modious shoe store at 716 State street, 
Santa Barbara, are both natives of Wakefield, 
Massachusetts, and are descendants of shoe 
manufacturers, even, to their remote ancestry. 

Daniel W. Emerson, the senior partner, 
was born at Wakefield, and was a manufact- 
urer of shoes in Wakefield and Haverhill. 
He came to California in the interest of gold 
mining in 1867, having purchased interests 
in the East, but the mines proving a failure 
he bought the co-operative boot and shoe 
business of San Francisco, manufacturing 
shoes in the city wholesale and retail trade, 
and also running retail stores in the country,' 
One being established in Santa Barbara in 
1873. Mr. Emerson continued manufactur- 
ing until 1886, when, after doing a pros- 
perous business he sold out his interest and 
came to Santa Barbara to live a more retired 
and quiet life. 

He was married in Wakefield, in 1865, to 
Miss Ellen Wiley, and they have two chil- 
dren: Percey W. and Fred W. 



F. M. Emerson, the junior partner of the 
firm was born in 1856, and was educated at 
Haverhill, Massachusetts, where his parents 
removed in his early life. He learned the trade 
of shoe manufacturing in the establishment 
of his father. He came to California in 
1875, and settled at San Luis Obispo, where 
he opened a shoe store, continuing four years. 
He then sold out and came to Santa Barbara in 
1879 to take charge of the present store for 
his uncle, D. W. Emerson, and in 1883 was 
taken in as a partner under the firm name of 
Emerson & Co. It is the oldest shoe store 
in the city, and they carry a fine and well 
assorted stock. 

Mr. Emerson was married at Santa Bar- 
bara, in September, 1884, to Miss Agnes 
Calder, a native of Massachusetts. They 
have two children: Helen Calder and Bar 
bara. Mr. Emerson is a member of the I. 
O. O. F. 



,. L. BYERS was born in Armstrong 
County, Pennsylvania, December 15, 
° 1845. His grandfather, David Byers, 
came from Germany about the year 1768, 
and settled in Pennsylvania where Peter 
Byers was born in 1812. He was a well-to- 
do farmer and wedded Miss Susanna Sour- 
wine. They were the parents of thirteen 
children, the ninth one being P. L. Byers, 
the subject of this sketch. He was rearedand 
educated in his native State, and when eight- 
een years of age entered the war, enlisting 
in Company K, Eighth Ohio Cavalry. He 
was in the Army of the Potomac and partic- 
ipated in all the battles of the campaign. 
At the battle of Winchester, September 19, 
1864, he was wounded in the right arm and 
laid up for three months in the Little York 
hospital, Pennsylvania. Upon his recovery 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



343 



he returned to his regiment at Beverly, West 
Virginia, and served until the close of the 
war, being mustered out August 5, 1865. 
On account of the wound received, he gets a 
pension of $2 per month. 

After leaving the service, Mr. Byers re- 
turned to the quiet life of the farm, and has 
been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever 
since, lie came to Santa Paula, June 25, 
1875, and after seven years gardening, he 
purchased his present home property of live 
acres. He has built a nice house, planted a 
hedge and all kinds of fruit trees and small 
fruit, and has one of the neatest little places 
in all the county. Mr. Byers was married, 
in 1870, to Miss A. Davidson, of Illinois. 
She was born in 1850, daughter of John 
Davidson of that State. Her ancestors were 
natives of Kentucky, but her father was born 
in Pennsylvania. They have had eight chil- 
dren, six of whom are living. The first two 
were born in Missouri and the others in Cali- 
fornia. Their names are Norman O., Ona 
M., John L., Creed H., Marge E. and Earl. 
Mrs. Byers is a member of the Presbyterian 
church. Mr. Byers has never joined any 
society, is a strictly temperate man, Demo- 
cratic in his political views, is an industrious 
man, and one highly respected by his fellow- 
citizens. 



>ENI£ Y LEWIS, one of the early pioneers 
in the Carpenteria Valley, was born near 
Manassas Junction, Virginia, in 1830. 
His father was a farmer, and Henry followed 
a like occupation, although a part of his boy- 
hood was passed in a store in Washington, 
District of Columbia. Mr. Lewis was mar- 
ried at the age of twenty years to Miss Chat- 
tin, of Virginia, and he then bought a farm 
and began what has proven his life work. 



He sold out all interests and came to Cali- 
fornia in 1857. The next year he went into 
the mines in Tuolumne County, and after six 
months' experience he came out "with rheu- 
matism and little else," which has remained 
with him through life. In December, 1858, 
he moved to Half Moon Bay, and there 
farmed for three years. In the spring of 
1862 he come to Carpenteria Valley, pur- 
chased eighty-eight acres of land and pitched 
his tent near where his house now stands. 
He bought this property from the city of 
Santa Barbara at $1.25 per acre, the land 
being wild and uncultivated and covered with 
brush and live-oak trees. He drove down from 
Half Moon Bay, looking along for a desirable 
situation, and the Carpenteria Valley was the 
first location which seemed practicable. He 
immediately began cutting and clearing, and 
now has one of the most complete ranch 
properties in the place. The only white 
people then in the valley were Colonel Rus- 
sell Heath and Mr. Lowrie. As rapidly as 
land was cleared he began the cultivation of 
Lima beans, corn and barley. In 1864 they 
had a very dry year, no crops maturing and 
horses and cattle dying for want of sustenance. 
Mr. Lewis has since added twenty acres to 
his ranch, which now numbers 110 acres, 
ninety acres of which he plants to Lima beans, 
with an average crop of 2,000 pounds to the 
acre. The thirty-live-acre field in front of 
his residence has produced an annual crop of 
beans since 1865, and yearly becomes more 
productive. 

Mr. Lewis lost his first wife in February, 
1863, and in 1879 he was married to Mrs. 
Bebecca Mullin, of Carpenteria. He has 
seven children by his first wife and three by 
his second, all living. His handsome two- 
story residence, fine barns and suitable out- 
buildings all go to show the thrifty and suc- 
cessful farmer, and his well kept ranch is 



344 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



significant of the prosperity which has at- 
tended Mr. Lewis. 

~—+f--2++^^'"~ 



fB. ALVORD, a prominent rancher and 
educator of Ventura County, was born 
* in New York, November 10, 1849. He 
is the son of Alvin W. Alvord,a native of Ver- 
mont, and the grandson of Julius Alvord,who 
was born in Massachusetts. Their ancestors 
were English. His great-grandfather was Seth 
Alvord, whose grandparents came to America 
in the year 1700. Mr. Alvord's mother, 
Electa R. (Todd) Alvord, came from Scotch 
ancestors. She was born in Herkimer Coun- 
ty, New York, daughter of Mr. Bela Todd. 
The subject of this sketch is the only son in 
& family of three children. He received his 
early education in the public schools of New 
York and Ohio, and was also a student at the 
Northwest Normal School of Pennsylvania. 
He began teaching at the age of nineteen 
years, and has been a teacher almost continu- 
ously for fifteen years. 

On coming to Ventura County, Mr. Alvord 
bought a small farm, but afterward sold it. 
In 1884 he purchased his present fine ranch 
of 160 acres, seventy acres of which he sold 
for more than the whole cost him. He re- 
modeled the house and made many improve- 
ments, and the land is now under a high 
state of cultivation, his principal crops being 
beans and potatoes. The beans averaged a 
ton to the acre, and a portion of the land 
produced as high as 3,500 pounds per acre. 

Mr. Alvord was married, in 1879, to Miss 
Ida Ricker, a native of Iowa, and daughter 
of John G. Ricker, who was born in Maine. 
They have four sons, all born in Ventura 
County, the three eldest named respectively 
Hartwell, Vernon M. and David E. Mr. and 
Mrs. Alvord are refined and intelligent peo- 



ple. They are members of the Universalist 
church of Santa Paula. In his political 
views, Mr. Alvord is a Republican. For 
eight years he has been a member of the 
Board of Education of the county. As a 
teacher he has been very successful, but is at 
present devoting his attention to agricultural 
pursuits. 



— lei ivt 



! »3m £ . 



fEROME C. WILSON, proprietor of the 
Black Hawk stables, Santa Barbara, has 
been successful in his line. He was 
born at Sutton, Vermont, in 1849. He is of 
Scotch-English descent, and his grandfather 
was one of the early settlers of Vermont; 
his mother was a native of Vermont, but of 
Scotch descent. Jerome C. was educated at 
the high school of Sutton. In 1868 he went 
to Boston and remained until 1885, engaged 
in a mercantile and speculative business. 
He came to San Francisco in March, 1885, 
where he was engaged in business until Sep- 
tember, 1886, when he came to Santa Barbara. 
He rented the corner of Cota and Chapella 
streets, and started a small livery business of 
five horses and one bus, which was the nucleus 
of his present complete establishment. In 
1887 he bought out the Black Hawk stable on 
the present sight, and he built his commodious 
building of 75 x 152 feet, and keeps ninety 
horses, twenty-five of which are especially 
trained to the saddle. He has a fine stock of 
carriages and the popular three-seated wagon, 
which, with fonr horses makes the favorite 
rig of the tourist. It was said of Mr. Wilson 
when he came to town that " he would not 
stay a week," but he attended to his own 
business and is now proprietor of one of the 
finest livery stables in California. Investing 
only $3,000 at first, he is now worth fully 
$70,000. 




DRYING PRUNES IN THE OJAI VALLEY. 




AN ORANGE ORCHARD IN THE OJAI VALLEY. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



345 




Mr. Wilson is a Royal Arch Mason, Corin- 
thian Chapter, No. 52, of the Blue Lodge, 
No. 282, of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. 
He is also a member of the Knights of 
Pythias, Independent Order of Foresters, an 
Odd Fellow and a Good Templar. May 6, 
1890, he married Miss Lettie Renwick, and 
they made their wedding trip to the principal 
Eastern cities. 



H. TAYLOR, a stock-farmer of San 
Luis Obispo County, is one of a 
° family of four sons. Born in Vir- 
ginia, in 1829, his early life was spent at home. 
At the ao-e of eighteen he engaged in the 
business in which for a period of forty years 
he was a prominent figure, namely, the 
livery and stage business. It is difficult to 
conceive of more varied, exciting or interest- 
ing experiences than Mr. Taylor relates of 
his stage life on the plains and over the 
mountains and various part of California. 
Coming to California in 1861, he was con- 
nected with the Pioneer Stage Company of 
this State, their line extending from Califor- 
nia to Virginia City, Nevada. He was em- 
ployed by this company for four years, being 
superintendent the latter part of the time. 
This Pioneer Stage Company was a famous 
one, and operated their line in the best man- 
ner ever known. lie was also superintendent 
for the Overland Mail Company, between 
Salt Lake City, Utah, and Virginia City, 
Nevada, previous to the building of the Cen- 
tral Pacific Railroad, and was Wells, Fargo & 
Co.'s superintendent and paymaster several 
years on their stage and express lines in 
Utah, Idaho and Montana. He next ran a 
stage line from Soledad to Los Angeles for a 
period of thirteen years; and it was related 
that during that time, either winter or sum- 



22 



raer, there was never a delay of over two days 
in the arrival of the mails which were carried 
by these coaches. With well organized rail- 
road and steamship companies at the present 
time, we need only to refer to the season of 
1889-'90 to find delays of a week or more in 
the delivery of these same mails. The Coast 
Line Stage Company, which had been con- 
trolled by Flint, Bixby & Co., passed in 1878 
into the hands of William Buckley and Mr. 
Taylor, the latter being superintendent. 
This arrangement lasted until 1886, when he 
retired. A remnant of this well managed 
stage line is now found between San Luis 
Obispo City and Santa Margarita Station. 

Mr. Taylor first settled in Monterey County 
in 1873, and engaged in the hotel business 
for a time. He then settled down on the 
Buena Vista Stock farm, San Luis Obispo 
County, in 1884, where he now resides. It 
comprises 267 acres, and is located on the 
Pacific Coast Railroad three and a half miles 
from San Luis Obispo on the way to Port 
Harford. On this place are raised some of 
the finest horses in the State, and there are 
few better judges of the points of a horse 
that Mr. Taylor. He has been an invalid for 
some time, and is now confined to his house 
with a nervous affection. 



M N. HUD1BURGH was born in Morgan 
|1 County, Indiana, January 4, 1848, son 
sjk* of Samuel and Nancy Hudiburgh, both 
natives of Indiana, and the former of German 
descent. He wa6 the sixth of a family of 
eight children, was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools, 
going to school in the winter and working 
on the farm in the summer. At the age of 
teventeen he tendered his services to his 
country, enlisting, in 1865, in Company II, 



346 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Eighty-third Illinois Infantry. He was 
transferred to Company I, Sixty-first Illinois 
Infantry, and was ordered to Clarksville, 
Tennessee, and from there to Nashville. 
While his regiment was in the latter place, 
General Lee surrendered, and on the 8th of 
Septemher, 1865, he was mustered out by 
reason of the close of the war. He then re- 
turned to his home, where he remained a 
year; next removed to Missouri and worked 
in Bates County eight years; then went to 
Linn County, Kansas, where he resided eight 
years. In 1882 Mr. Hudiburgh came to 
California, and since that time has resided at 
Santa Paula. Is engaged in the remunera- 
tive business of cultivating Lima beans? 
devoting forty acres to their production. 

He was married, in 1869, to Miss Margaret 
J. Cleek, a native of Virginia, and reared in 
Missouri. Their union has been blessed with 
five children, namely: Charles M., born in 
Bates County, Missouri, July 19, 1870 
Alfred, in Kansas, February 20, 1877 
Walter, also born in Kansas, August 3, 1878 
Samuel, in Santa Paula, California, July 17, 
1884, and Ethel May, in Santa Paula, Novem- 
ber 6, 1887. Mrs. Hudiburgh is a member 
of the Baptist chnrch. Mr. Hudiburgh is a 
strict temperance man, a good citizen, and in 
politics is a Democrat. 

— ^^++HH- — 

fE. HODGES, a resident of the lower 
portion of the Arroyo Grande, was 
^f j ° born in Missouri, in August, 1846. 
At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in 
the Union army, and was in the ranks until 
the close of the war. In 1865 the family 
removed to Kansas, where young Hodges 
lived for eleven years, except the time he was 
in school, at the age of twenty-three. In 
1876 he came to California, and was for two 



years employed upon his farm in See Canon; 
was one year on John McGlashan's place, and 
then came to his present property in the 
lower part of the Arroyo Grande Valley. It 
comprises fifty -three acres, twenty-five of 
which are in orchard, an object of pride to its 
owner. It contains apricots, peaches, apples, 
pears and prunes. Many of the branches on 
the trees at the time this sketch was written 
were bolstered up by strong ropes, in order 
to help sustain the enormous quantity of 
fruit. Mr. Hodges has had great success 
also with his English walnut trees; and this 
year he will plant many more of these trees 
in his twenty-acre bean-field. His drying 
house is a considerable invention, and is the 
largest and most complete in the valley. 

Mr. Hodges was married in tbe fall of 
1872, to Miss Sarah E. Weininger, of Ken- 
tucky, and they have six children. 



-tt< 




B. PIERCE, another of the early 
settlers of California, came to the 
State in 1869. He is a native of 
Howard County, Missouri, born March 31, 
1851. His father, John M. Pierce, a native 
of Virginia, came to California in 1869, and 
lived to be eighty-one years of age, dying 
September 21, 1878. His grandfather, John 
Pierce, was also a Virginian, and a soldier in 
the war of 1812. They were of Scotch-Welsh 
ancestry. John M. Pierce was twice married, 
and had four children by the first marriage 
and two by the second. The subject of this 
sketch was the younger child born of the last 
wife. His mother, nee Nancy L. Johnson, 
was a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of 
Benjamin Johnson, who was born in Vir- 
ginia. Mr. Pierce comes from good old 
Virginia and Kentucky stock, an ancestry 
noted for chivalry and hospitality. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



347 



Mr. Pierce was reared in the State of Mis- 
souri, and came with the family to California, 
when eighteen years of age. They first 
settled in Hollister, San Benito County, and 
for seven years lived on a farm, which they 
supposed was Government land, but which 
the railroad company claimed and took from 
them. They then came to San Luis Obispo 
County, in 1876, and purchased 640 acres of 
land on the Los Osos. This property they 
improved by building, etc., engaged in rais- 
ing cattle and horses, kept a dairy, and 
farmed for ten years, when he sold it for 
$24,000. Then he took up 160 acres, and 
afterward bought 480 acres adjoining it, on 
which he built a good residence, planted an 
orchard and vineyard, and is now engaged in 
raising stock on this property. He keeps 
about 150 head of cattle, the stock being- 
graded up to a high standard of Durham 
cattle, the blooded stock being from the herd 
of Senator Hearst. They farm about 130 
acres of the property. Mr. Pierce has bought 
property in Paso Robles, and has built a com- 
fortable home and a good barn. He resides 
at this place, and has a meat market in the 
town. They raise and kill their own beef. 

Mr. Pierce was married, November 11, 
1879, to Miss Mary E. Knaus, a native of 
Missouri. They have two daughters, born in 
Los Osos, Maud Adeline and Mable J., and 
one son, John F., born in Paso Robles. Mrs. 
Pierce is a member of the Christian Church. 

For five years Mr. Pierce served as a mem- 
ber of the Los Osos School Board, and lie has 
been much interested in educational matters. 
He was elected Road Supervisor in 1884 and 
in 1888, and since then has been elected in 
District No. 12, by the largest majority 
ever obtained in the city. He is an Odd Fel- 
low, and is a member of the board of 
trustees, and in politic- he i- a Democrat. 
Mr. Pierce is a driving, pratical business 



man, full of fun and ever ready to both give 
and take a joke. 



to 



R. BOOTH, a prominent business man 
IkaI °*' ^ an ^ ms Obispo County, has been 
^4^° on the Pacific Coast thirty -two years. 
With other old-timers he has had his share 
of pioneer life and also great influence in 
shaping the destiny of the great State of his 
choice. His long business career in this 
country makes him good authority on its 
varied resources, and he is one of the enthu- 
siasts who believe that it is difficult to over- 
draw the grand resources and capabilities of 
California. He was born in Mount Clem- 
ents, Michigan, July 28, 1835. His father, 
John Booth, a native of England, was brought 
by his parents to America when a child. 
His mother, nee Jane A. Wisdom, was born 
in Philadelphia. He was next to the youngest 
of their ten children. Received his education 
in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and opened his 
first drug-store in Fenton, same State. He 
removed to Eastern Oregon in 1858 and was 
located at the Dalles. He then spent ten 
years in Washington Territory and British 
America, speculating in mines and eno-ao-ed 
in general business. He was also in Idaho 
and Nevada in the same business, and also 
in the drug trade; and he finally came to 
San Luis Obispo and later to El Paso do 
Robles, from choice, after deliberate investi- 
gation, and even before the town was estab- 
lished. He accordingly has taken hold and 
done his share toward the upbuilding of the 
place, which bids fair to be the largest town 
in the county. He is senior partner in the 
proprietorship of two drug stores, — one at 
San Luis Obispo and the other at El Paso de 
Robles Booth & Latner have a fine drue? 
store at the former place, while Booth & 



3-18 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN Li IS OBISPO 



Jannie have a similar one in one of the best 
localities in the latter place. He is also a 
member of the firm of Stowell & Booth, real 
estate and sole agents for the El Paso de 
Robles town site. 

Mr. Booth is a Republican in politics, is a 
Master of the Masonic Lodge, and a Knight 
Templar. 

He was married in 1878 to Miss Snsan 
Reynor, a native of Missouri, and they have 
had three sons born in San Luis Obispo and 
a daughter in Paso Robles, viz.: Fred, Frank, 
Eugene and Clara J. 

Following is an interesting anecdote from 
Mr. Booth's experience illustrating the con- 
dition of society in frontier life. He was 
taken for a minister, and it came near prov- 
ing a serious inconvenience to him. One 
day, while riding one horse and leading 
another in a thinly inhabited portion of the 
frontier, and wearing a "boiled shirt," which 
was rare and almost unheard of in that 
country, he asked a settler on the approach 
of evening whether lie could stay all night 
with him. " No; don't keep hotel, " was the 
answer. Mr. Booth added, " I don't care for 
a hotel; all I want is a little hay for my 
horses; 1 can lie down anywhere. " " Well, 
can't keep you," was peremptorily repeated 
by the resident. Mr. Booth asked, " Will 
you sell me a little hay for my horses; 1 can 
feed them out here. " " No; I've got no hay 
to sell," replied the frontiersman. Mr. 

Booth, getting mad, said "G d you! 

Can you tell me where there is an Indian 
camp ; an untutored savage would not turn me 
away like that. " 

Then the settler came out, grasped his 
hand and said, "Who be you, anyhow?" 

«G d -me if I didn't think you was 

one of these preacher fellers. Git down ; I'll 
keep you. " And Mr. Booth says he was 
well entertained! 



Mr. Booth has seen the early rough times 
of Western society transformed into those of 
refinement; the church and the school-house 
to ornament the land ; and all the institutions 
of refined civilization of America to be 
established throughout the Pacific Coast. 
Physically he is still fresh and hale, and bids 
fair to live to see the whole coast thickly 
populated with the most intelligent and 
civilized people on the face of the earth. 

•o*-.l.|^»SI I J t.-g+.B-M. 

JIMOTHY WELLS, one of the promi- 
nent citizens of El Paso de Robles, is 
a native of Ohio, while his father, 
Timothy Wells, Sr., was a native of New 
York, and his grandfather of Rhode Island. 
The last mentioned took an active part as 
Captain of a force of scouts during the Revo- 
lutionary war, their principal errand being 
the search for Indians and Tories, in which 
they rendered the Continental cause good 
service. The Wells family had its origin in 
England. The mother of Mr. Wells, nee 
Elizabeth Hatch, was a native of Connecticut 
and also of English ancestry; so that Mr. 
Wells, although an American, is of pure 
English blood, equalled by that very few who 
have descended from those of American birth 
from the period before the declaration of in- 
dependence. 

The subject of this sketch, the youngest 
but one of a family of seven children, was 
brought up on the Western Reserve in Ohio, 
removed to Sycamore, Illinois, and embarked 
in the general merchandise business until 
1857, when he sold out and remained out of 
active business life until the great civil war 
came on. In 1862 Governor Yates, of Illi- 
nois, appointed him Quartermaster, which 
position he filled until the close of the war, 
and he had the pleasure of seeing the grand 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



349 



review of the victorious soldiers of the Union 
army at Washington. After the war he 
engaged in stock-raising and buying and 
shipping cattle from the northeast corner of 
Kansas to St. Louis and Chicago, until 1874. 
In 1875 he came to the Pacific coast and was 
engaged in mercantile business at Redwood 
City for three years. Selling out, he re- 
turned to Missouri and remained there four 
years; then he came again, to California and 
spent the first two yoars in San Bernardino 
County, at the Hot Springs of Governor 
Waterman, his brother-in-law, in order to re- 
cover his health. He then came to El Paso 
de Robles and bought 560 acres of land four 
miles from town, which he is now improving 
and developing. The railroad runs through 
the property, there is a warehouse there, and 
a portion of the ground is platted for a town 
site, a portion planted to prunes, and still 
another part is devoted to the production of 
milk. Mr. Wells is also doing a real-estate 
business in the city, where he has bought a 
lot and built a nice cottage, and he and his 
sister, Lucy A. (these two being the only 
survivors of the family), are spending the 
evening of their days. He has long been a 
leading Congregationalist, and is at present a 
deacon of his church at San Miguel. His 
political views are Democratic, and he is a 
pleasant, entertaining and public-spirited 
gentleman. 

At Sycamore, Illinois, in 1844, Mr. Wells 
was united in matrimony with Miss Mary 
Howard Waterman, a daughter of John 
Waterman of that State, and a sister of 
Governor Waterman of this State. Of his 
five children, four are living; three were born 
in Sycamore, and the youngest in Wayne 
County, Ohio. They are: Helen L., who 
married William R. Thomas, and resides in 
Oakland, California; Mary E., who is now 
the wife of C. N. Chase, and resides in Ver- 



mont; Abby J. is the wife of Andrew J. 
Kinney, and their home is at East Orange, 
New Jersey; and John P. is married and re- 
sides in Warrensburg, Missouri. After forty 
years of wedded life, Mrs. Wells, the loving 
wife and the kind mother, died, September 
26, 1881. 

~* ? ' : ■ '£•%" "■ ■■ 

gi AMITEL HILL is a pioneer of Cali- 
fornia and one of the prominent ranch- 
'^N* ers of Ventura County. He was born 
in England, March 21, 1816. His parents, 
Samuel and Mary Hill, were both natives of 
that country. Mr. Hill remained in Eng- 
land until nineteen years of age, and in 1835 
went to Quebec, Canada. He soon afterward 
located in Toronto, where he was engaged in 
the milling business for a year and a half. 
Erom that place he went to Dnbuque, Iowa, 
and worked in the mills for seven years. He 
then went back to England, but soon, how- 
ever, returned to Iowa, and in 1850 came to 
California. He first worked in the mines at 
Placerville. At Fort John he had a small 
store of miners' supplies, was there two 
years, and then went to Amador County, 
where he engaged in quartz mining. At the 
lat f er place he lost all he had previously 
made. Next he went to Buckeye Valley, 
same county, pre-empted a farm of 160 acres 
and purchased 840 acres more. He also 
bought a large house that had been built for 
a hotel and located on the same land. One 
hundred and sixty acres of land he devoted 
to grain and sheep-raising, remaining on the 
farm twenty-five years. He then rented it, 
removed to Ventura County, and bought 
5,368 acres of land in the Conejo grant, and 
moved upon it with his family in 1877. 
Has been engaged in raising sheep, horses 
and cattle, and lias kept as many as 12,000 



350 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



sheep at a time. His horses are principally 
roadsters, twenty-live head being nsed on 
the ranch. 

Mr. Hill was married in 1865 to Mrs. 
Sarah Middleton, a native of England, and 
the widow of Thomas Middleton. By her 
former husband she had five children, all 
born in America. By Mr. Hill she has had 
one son, Samuel Hill, Jr., who lived to be 
twenty-lour years of age, and his death was 
occasioned by an accident. His mules ran 
him against a fence, injuring him internally 
and causing his death soon afterward. He 
left a wife and son, Samuel H., Jr. They 
reside in Sacramento. Mr. and Mrs. Hill 
were reared in the faith of the Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Hill affiliates with the Demo- 
cratic party. He has just built a comfort- 
able residence, and here in the sunny climate 
of Southern California he expects to spend 
the evening of his life. 

~*- H,, *gp"2» •5»^ I, ~* : " 

PiON. D. W. JAMES, one of the founders 
of the beautiful young city of Paso 
Robles, came to this State across the 
plains in 1849, and has ever since been inti- 
mately connected witli the growth and devel- 
opment of this State, and had he not the 
sturdy elements of a courageous frontiersman, 
and of a persevering and successful business 
man, he would not have encountered the ob- 
stacles and survived the great disasters which 
come so thick and fast around the pioneer. 

Drury J. James was born in Russellville, 
on the Whip-poor-will River, in Logan 
County, Kentucky, November 14, 1824, the 
son of Jackson James, who was born near 
Richmond, Virginia. His grandfather was 
Martin James, who came from England be- 
fore the Revolution, and settled in Virginia, 
and aided in the Patriot war as an aide to 



one of the generals. Mr. James' mother was 
a native of Virginia, and the daughter of a 
soldier who fought on the Patriot side dur- 
ing the same struggle. The subject of this 
sketch, the youngest of eight children, was 
but three months old when his mother died, 
and but a little over a year old when his 
father died. His eldest sister, Mary, took 
charge of the family. She afterward married 
John Mimms. He lived with them until he 
was eighteen years of age, employed upon 
their tobacco plantation and attending school. 
After that he was engaged with his brother 
William in mercantile business in Oldham 
County, Kentucky, on the Ohio River; but 
soon afterward he enlisted in the war with 
Mexico, in one of the companies of the 
Louisville Legion. Going to the front as a 
private, he participated under General Tay- 
lor in the battle of Monterey. On the even- 
ing of the second day they entered the city 
and marched to the plaza. The Mexicans 
raised a flag of truce, and the city was sur- 
rendered, and the Legion was left to garrison 
the place while the rest of the victorious 
command, numbering about 4,000 men, 
marched forward to meet the forces com- 
manded by Santa Ana, numbering about 
22,000 men. The Legion was then ordered 
forward to join Taylor's force, which they 
reached in time by excessive marching. In 
the effort Mr. James crippled himself by 
bursting one of the veins in his leg, from 
which injury he has never fully recovered. 
The Americans were victorious in the battle 
of Buena Vista, fought against fearful odds, 
and the Legion was ordered back to Monterey. 
His time of enlistment having expired, Mr. 
James was honorably discharged, and re- 
sumed business at his home, in company 
with his brother. 

Directly after the news of the gold dis- 
covery in California reached him, he joined a 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



351 



company of thirty men, left Fort Kearney 
the last of May, 1849, and crossed plain and 
mountain, safely landing at Weaverville, 
August 6. He engaged in mining at this 
place and at Hangtewn for nine months, 
with reasonable success. In the spring of 
1850 he engaged in buying cattle to supply 
the mines with beef, buying first at Santa 
Clara, at $20 per head, and selling them at 
the mines at sixty cents per pound on foot, 
and dressed meat at $1 per pound. In 1851 
he went to Los Angeles and bought cattle at 
$15 to $20 per head and realized about $40 
per head at the mines. Starting his drove 
of cattle from Los Angeles, he would make 
a trip and return to San Luis Obispo, Mon- 
terey and Santa Clara counties, sometimes 
taking three droves a year, of 500 to 700 
head each time. At one time he drove from 
Los Angeles 1,500 head. This business he 
continued successfully until I860, when, in 
company with John B. Thompson, he bought 
10,000 acres of Government .land at La 
Fanza, at $1.25 per acre. They stocked it 
with 2,500 head of cattle, which he drove to 
Tulare and Buena Vista lakes, and thus 
saved them all, while others lost nearly all 
they had. In 1868, when he sold out, there 
were 9,000 or 10,000 head of cattle on the 
ranch, he could not tell how many. In 1859 
he bought a half interest in the El Paso de 
Robles Hot Springs, and the one league of 
land embracing it, of his brother-in-law, D. 
B. Blackburn. They built the hotel and 
surrounding cottages as fast as they required 
them, and also, from time to time as their 
business grew, they increased the facilities of 
the place for bathing; and now the place as 
a health resort has grown in great favor 
throughout the State, and is known to many 
in the East. They have the largest bath- 
house in the State, and the hotel and cottages 
around have grown to be quite a village. 



Mr. James and his partner are the found- 
ers of the now incorporated city of El Paso 
de Robles (the pass of oaks), generally called 
by the shorter phrase, Paso Robles. It began 
its rapid growth in 1887, and already has a 
nice park, fine brick business blocks, palatial 
residences, school-houses, churches, etc. His 
firm have now in process of construction one 
of the finest brick hotels in the county. It 
is 185 x 300 feet in dimensions, three stories 
and basement;in height, and will be furnished 
with all modern improvements. The brick 
used in this building will number 500,000. 
The old hotel and cottages are directly in 
front, but they are to be removed when the 
space is devoted to hotel grounds. The 
establishment also fronts the park and will 
be a delightful place when completed. 

Since coming here Mr. James has contin- 
ued to be interested in stock-raising and 
farming. He has also been a stock-holder 
and director of the Bank of San Luis Obispo, 
in the steam flouring-mill of the same place, 
and other business enterprises. A sketch of 
his partner, already mentioned, also appears 
in this volume. They married sisters, at the 
same time and place, he choosing Miss 
Louisa Dunn, who was born in Sacramento, 
this State, the daughter of Patrick Dunn, of 
Irish ancestry, who came from Australia to 
California. Mr. and Mrs. James have seven 
children, all born in Paso Robles, viz.: — 
Mamie, William, Nellie, Lena, Charles, Car- 
rie and Edward. Carrie and Charles are 
twins; Nellie is the wife of Edward Bennett, 
now Postmaster at that place; and the other 
children are still with their parents. They 
have a nice residence on a block reserved for 
that purpose. Mr. James w r as fittingly elected 
President of the first Board of Trustees, and 
continues to hold that position. He has 
also held the office of Supervisor for about 
ten years, and was elected a Representative 



35a 



SANTA BARBARA SAN LUIS OBISPO 



to the State Legislature from his district in 
1888, and this position he also holds. Al- 
though he has experienced an unusual num- 
ber of hardships, during pioneer days, and 
has had so many heavy business cares for 
many years, he is still an active business 
man, taking great pride in the improvement 
and adornment of his pet little city. He is 
a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the 
Masonic order. 



^nS « |i" ~*»- 



K. SNOW, Jr., a native son of the 
Golden West, was horn in Vallejo, 
* Solano County, September 5, 1865 
His father, H. K. Snow, was horn in White- 
field, New Hampshire, in 1833, and his 
grandfather, James Snow, was an English- 
man who settled at Whitefield, New Hamp- 
shire, in an early day. They were promi- 
nent people there. Mr. Snow's mother, 
Cynthia O. (Downs) Snow, was born in Wis- 
consin. They had eight children, the sub- 
ject of this sketch being the fourth. He was 
reared and educated at hi6 native place, Val- 
lejo, until he was twelve years of age, at 
which time the family moved, to Santa Ana, 
now Orange County, where his father bought 
a ranch and engaged in the culture of 
oranges and grapes, and where he still re- 
sides. In 1887 they purchased 171 acres of 
land, one-half mile from New Jerusalem, 
Ventura County, where Mr. Snow is engaged 
in the culture of walnuts, having 100 acres 
of English walnut trees, all doing well. Be- 
tween the trees they raise large crops of 
Lima beans and peanuts, one of the future 
industries of California. The rest of this 
ranch is devoted to nurseries, there being 
more than 50,000 trees of different kinds. 
They intend to do a large business in fruit 
and ornamental trees. They also grow some 



alfalfa and barley. A sightly residence, sur- 
rounded with flowers and shrubbery, is an 
attractive feature of this place. 

Politically, Mr. Snow is affiliated with the 
Republican party. He is a member of the 
Tnstin Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is a young 
man of fine business qualities. 



fRE D A. E ARLL was born in Shasta, Shasta 
County, California, May 13, 1857. His 
parents, Warner and Cornelia (Scoville) 
Earll, were both natives of Onondaga County, 
New York. Warner Earll followed Fremont's 
trail to California in 1848, and was City 
Judge of Tehama for a number of years; he 
was also an Associate Justice on the Supreme 
Bench of Nevada. He was a prominent 
lawyer of California, residing at Shasta and 
Red Bluff for years. He also held the po- 
sition of attorney for the Central Pacific 
Railroad, in Arizona. His three children 
were Arthur R., Fred A., and a daughter, A. 
H, who is now Mrs. Webb, and resides in 
Oakland, California. Arthur R. was a gradu- 
ate of the Law School of California; was 
elected District Attorney of San Luis Obispo, 
and died three months after. Their father's 
death occurred in 1888. 

The subject of this sketch attended St. 
Augustus College, and at the age of fifteen 
years, having obtained a good English educa- 
tion, he started out to work for himself, and 
since that time his education has been more of a 
practical character — obtained behind the desk. 
He worked for E. M. Derby & Co., lumber 
dealers, of Alameda, four years. He then 
engaged in business for himself, dealt in wood 
and coal, and did a thriving business; but, 
being anxious to make a fortune by quicker 
methods, he speculated in mining stocks, and 
lost his coal business. After that he went to 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



353 



Arizona, and opened a stationery and cigar 
business, which he conducted three years; 
then removed to Ventura County, bought 
twenty acres of land, and, after planting an 
orchard, sold the property and returned to 
the lumber business. Sax by & Collins of- 
fered him the management of the lumber 
yards in San Buenaventura, which he ac- 
cepted and conducted for two years. He then 
went to San Francisco and from there came to 
Paso Robles, to take charge of the warehouse, 
lumber yard, storage and shipping busi- 
ness at this point. At the time he came, 
November, 1886, there was nothing in the 
town. The railroad had just been built, and 
the station was in a box-car beside the track. 
Since then the shipping interests of the town 
have taken ,a great start. Shipments of 
wheat for the past year were about 9,000 tons. 
Mr. Earll has made real estate investments in 
the town. 

He was married in October, 1879, to Miss 
Ida Barnes, a native of Dixon, Illinois, daugh- 
ter of A. M. Barnes, of Ventura. Their 
union is blessed with two daughters, Bertha 
May, born in Arizona, and Helen, in Paso 
Robles. 

Mr. Earll, being a native of California, 
took an active part in the organization of the 
Paso Robles Parlor, No. 122, Native Sons of 
the Golden West. They started with twenty- 
four members, composed largely of the best 
young business men of the town. Mr. Earll 
was elected its first president, and still holds 
that position of honor. 



A. ATWOOD, a horticulturist of San 
San Luis Obispo County, was born in 
'* Androscoggin County, Maine, in 1828, 
of New England parents. After receiving a 
good common-school education at home he 



engaged in mechanical pursuits; later he en- 
tered the grocery business; in 1862 he came 
to California. For a number of years he was 
engaged in the manufacture of pumping ma- 
chinery at San Francisco, and had a profit- 
able trade. A serious catarrhal trouble 
compelled him to move from that city, and 
in 1876, after prospecting around for a year 
or so, he came to San Luis Obispo County, 
and settled on the property where he now 
resides, consisting of sixty-five acres, and lo- 
cated on the railroad between San Luis Obispo 
and Port Harford. He is eminently success- 
ful in fruit culture. At the county fairs he 
always captures some premiums. At one 
competition he took the first premium on 
several varieties of fruits. From a wild, un- 
settled country, when he first came to the 
ranch, the place has been changed to- a finely 
developed piece of property. Mr. Atwood 
has a wife and one daughter, both natives of 
Maine. 



>i"h 



jfSAAC H. BUNCE, a rancher of San Luis 
jjl Obispo County, was born in Auburn, New 
W York, December 24, 1831. On his father's 
farm he received his early training, and at the 
age of twenty -two he came to the golden cen- 
ter of the world's excitement, by the Panama 
route; but he had no luck whatever in his 
search for the shining nuggets, and he went 
to San Francisco and worked at his trade, 
carpentering, and a year afterward he began 
work on a saw- mill in Monterey County, the 
iirst mill of that kind in the county. Be 
lived in Santa Cruz County for four years; 
and then, in the spring of 1858, he came to 
San Luis Obispo County, and worked at his 
trade at the county-seat for many years, being 
engaged in some of the most important struc- 
tures of the city. He was for a time a mem- 



354 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISFO 



ber of the firm of JBoland & Bunce. In 1870 
he settled upou his present ranch near the oil 
wells. It is known as a part of the Avila 
place, and consists of twenty acres. In 1868 
he met with a severe accident, falling from a 
building at Chorro, and he has not yet fully 
recovered from the effect. 

August 22, 1862, he married Miss Juanita 
Avila, a daughter of Don Miguel Avila, and 
has nine children: Eliza, Lydia (now Mrs. B. 
L. Smythe), Charles, Henry J., Alfred Lyman, 
Martha, John, Minnie and Isaac "William. 

• < *-*»§*3*-«J»S***» 

B. GAGLIARDO, the hotel-keeper at 
Port Harford, was born in Italy, Jan- 
uary 18, 1853, came to California in 
the fall of 1869, and located in Columbia, 
Tuolumne County. For many years he en- 
gaged in mining. In 1881 Mr. Gagliardo, 
married Victoria Marre, of Jackson, Amador 
County, and has three children. In 1883 he 
came to San Luis Obispo County, since which 
time he has been conducting the hotel at Port 
Harford, owned by Luis Marre, and named 
Hotel Marre. It is a popular resort. 




>*«**!♦ 




C. BENNETT, one of the prominent 
young business men of El Paso de 
a Robles, was born in Van Buren 
County, Michigan, July 7, 1864, the son of 
G. H. and Mary (Brain) Bennett, natives of 
England, who came to Michigan in 1855, the 
father engaging in contracting and building 
until 1887, when he retired from business, 
and the family came to California; they now 
reside in El Paso de Robles. Of their seven 
children six are living. The subject of this 
sketch was educated in Michigan and learned 
the foundry business, following it for five 



years; then he was two years in the drug 
business in the East; and in 1885 came to 
Tulare County, California, and managed a 
drug store there for three years; and in 1888 
he finally came to El Paso de Robles, where 
he has since been engaged in the same trade. 
He started here in the brick store on the cor- 
ner of Twelfth and Pine streets; he afterward 
bought a lot on the corner of Twelfth and 
Park streets and erected a nice drug store 
building, where he is enjoying a tine patron- 
age He has doctors' offices well arranged 
and furnished in the rear portion of the build- 
ing, and they are now occupied by Dr. Glass. 
Mr. Bennett's brother, R. "W., is his assist- 
ant in the business and is an accomplished 
druggist. 

Mr. Bennett was married in 1889, to Miss 
Dove McCubbin, a native of Illinois and a 
daughter of T. C. McCubbin, a capitalist. 
Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Christian 
Church and of the Rebekah-degree Lodge of 
the I. O. O. F., and also of the O. E. S.; while 
Mr. Bennett is a Congregationalist, a Repub- 
lican, a Master Mason and also a member of 
the O. E. S. Both Mr. Bennett and his 
father have built delightful residences near 
each other in a sightly portion of the town, 
and they are highly esteemed members of the 
community. They have recently bought one 
of the finest fruit ranches in San Luis Obispo 
County, and also own real estate in Tulare 
County. 



- *-"*%-"' l> « S » j) 1 " 1 -* ' 

TTO SHACKELFORD is a native son 
of the Golden West, and is one of the 
prominent young business men of El 
Paso de Robles. He was born in San Fran- 
cisco October 7, 1869, and is a son of R. M. 
Shackelford, a native of Kentucky and a 
prominent California business man. Their 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



355 



ancestors for generations were residents of 
Kentucky. Mr. Shackelford's mother, nee 
Mary M. L. Questen, is a native of Wiscon- 
sin, be being tbe only child. He was reared 
and educated in San Mateo and in the city of 
Hollister; and for some time was book-keeper 
for bis father. In 1886 he came to El Paso 
de Robles, and was engaged in the warehouse, 
grain and lumber business until September, 
1889, when, with others, he organized ihe 
hardware and agricultural implement firm of 
Bennett, Shackelford & Le Blanc, the princi- 
pal store of the kind in the town. 

Mr. Shackelford's religious opinions are in 
accordance with the Methodist doctrines. He 
is a young man of fine business ability, and 
is held in the highest esteem by his fellow 
citizens. His prospects for a successful busi- 
ness career are most promising. 



,R. J. H. GLASS, El Paso de Robles. 
In the early part of the seventeenth cen- 
tury Scotland furnished her full quota 
of hardy sons to settle and reclaim a portion 
of America, by laying the foundation of a free 
and independent people. They were self- 
reliant, persevering and possessed of a high 
degree of common sense. The progenitor of 
the Glass family came from Scotland and 
settled in one of the colonies of the mother 
country. His son, Hiram Glass, was born in 
Tennessee, and his son, Dr. Wilson H. Glass, 
was born in Wytheville, Virginia, where for 
years he followed the practice of medicine. 
There he married Miss Martha J. M inter, also 
a Virginian, the daughter of Charles Minter, 
and a descendant of one of the old Virginia 
families. They removed to Kentucky, where 
their children were brought up. Notwith- 
standing the Southern birth and education of 
his parents and ancestors, Dr. Wilson H. 



Glass was an avowed Abolitionist; and when 
the great civil war was sprung upon the 
country, compelling all men to take sides, he 
tendered his services to the United States 
Government and served as Surgeon in the 
Union Army with distinction until the close 
of the war. Mrs. Glass' youngest brother, 
L. C. Minter, was a Captain of the Eighth 
Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and while 
commanding his company at the battle of 
Stone River he received a wound which re- 
sulted fatally. He was buried by the road- 
side, and six years afterward his grave was 
identified, the remains were brought home 
and interred in the family burying ground. 

Dr. Glass, our subject, was the second of 
his parents' four children. He was bom in 
Kentucky, July 28, 1857, and was brought 
up in his native State, studied medicine 
under his father's instructions, attended a 
medical college course at Keokuk, Iowa, and 
practiced his profession six years in his native 
town, in connection with his father. He then 
attended the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons at Baltimore, graduated in 1884, prac- 
ticed two years longer at his Kentucky home, 
in 1886 went to Florida and thence came to 
Santa Clara County, this State, and in a short 
time, in 1887, to El Paso de Robles. He had 
been through the county of San Luis Obispo 
in 1886, and became favorably impressed with 
the character of the country. The building 
of the railroad satisfied him that Paso Robles 
was destined to be a good town, and he ac- 
cordingly located here; and from that start he 
has enjoyed a good patronage in his practice 
as a physician, which he deserves, on account 
of his moral integrity and reliability. He 
has bought city property and built upon it a 
pleasant residence, and is identified with all 
the interests of the town. 

He was married March 29, 1885, to Miss 
Mettie Hogg, a native of his own town in 



356 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Kentucky and daughter of Stephen P. Hogg, 
a lawyer. They have one child, Carl, born in 
Santa Clara County, April 23, 1886. Mrs. 
Glass is a member of the Christian Church, 
and is the present Worthy Matron of the 
Eastern Star Chapter. The Doctor is a Free- 
mason, an Odd Fellow and a Republican. 



>LDEN MARCH BOYD, a rancher in 
Santa Ynez Valley, is one of the pro- 
moters of the olive industry of the Ala- 
mo Pintado Valley, whose beautiful "Rancho 
de los Olivos " lies gently elevated, south of 
the town of Los Olivos. He was born in 
Albany, INew York, in 1863. Much of Mr. 
Boyd's life previous to coming to California 
was passed abroad. He spent two winters at 
Nassau, in the Bahama Islands, and made 
two trips to Europe, where a large part of his 
education was received; on his return he at- 
tended the Phillips Academy, of Andover, 
preparatory to entering college. Owing to 
failing health, he gave up college and went to 
Europe, and on his return in 1883, he came 
direct to California, spending one winter at 
San Francisco, and in travel about the State. 
The summer of 1884 he passed with his family 
in the Montecito Valley, remaining until 
August, 1885, when he purchased his present 
ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley. On the 
place was a small house, and about four acres 
in a variety of fruits. Mr. Boyd immediately 
began improving his ranch with a view of 
establishing an olive grove. In 1876 he 
planted 2,500 trees, adding 2,500 more in 
1877, all of the Mission varieties, coining 
from the nursery of Mr. Hayne, of the Mon- 
tecito Valley. The trees began bearing from 
two years of planting, and the present year 
promises a very satisfactory crop. He has 
about seventy-five acres in olive trees. 



In November, 1888, Mr. Boyd was elected 
Supervisor for the Third District, which 
covers the Santa Ynez Valley. 



~i*-*h 



RATA BROTHERS.— The brothers, F. 
L. and R. J. Arata, composing the firm 
of Arata Brothers, were born in Santa 
Barbara. Their father, Juan Arata, was for- 
merly an extensive stock- raiser, keeping sa 
many as 3,000 head of cattle. He was also 
a prominent merchant about 1857, continuing 
for several years. The brothers were edu- 
cated in the public schools, and F. L., the 
senior member of the firm, obtained his edu- 
cation at the Franciscan College, then located 
at the old mission building in Santa Barbara 
city. In 1877 he began his mercantile life 
as clerk with L. M. Kaiser & Co., of Guada- 
loupe, remaining with them until 1882, when 
he came to Los Alamos, with a member of 
the same firm ; the firm name being A. Weill 
& Co. Mr. Arata also bought an interest in 
the drug store, in 1882, continuing under 
the name of Walker & Arata. Mr. Walker 
conducted the business until February, 1886, 
when Mr. Arata bought his interest and has 
since conducted the business, aided by a 
druggist's assistant. Mr. Arata clerked for 
Weill & Co. until January, 1887, and in 
September, 1887, the firm of Arata Bros. &0o. 
was established, F. L. being associated with 
his brother R. J. Arata and W. F. Wicken- 
den. In October, 1888, the brothers bought 
the interest of Mr. Wickenden, and have 
since continued alone. 

R. J. Arata began his clerkship with O. 1. 
Weil of Lompoc, in 1880, continuing until 
1884, when he came to Los Alamos. He 
carried on a grocery, cigar and fruit business 
until the establishing of the above firm. 
They carry a general merchandise stock, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



357 



keeping all supplies necessary to the family 
or ranch, in hardware and other require- 
ments. They also own ranch property ag- 
gregating 500 acres, four miles from town, 
where they do general farming, and breed 
horses, cattle and hogs; they also own town 
property. 



&*$* 



kEV. P. F. FARRELLY, the resident 
1 pastor at Santa Ynez Mission, was born 
near the town of Virginia, County 
Cavan, Ireland, March 10, 1859. He was 
educated in the College of All Hallows, 
Dublin, and was ordained at the college by 
Bi.-hop Crane, of Australia, on June 24, 
1883, and in September, of same year, left 
for the United States. He then came to 
California, being first stationed with Father 
Marron, at Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, 
where he remained until 1886. He was next 
assistant to Father Ubach, of San Diego, for 
six months, afterward at Santa Cruz with 
Father MacNamee. During Bishop Moran's 
visit to Europe, Father Farrelly was nine 
months pastor at Watsonville, and on Octo- 
ber 15, 1887, he was appointed as rector of 
Santa Yntz, Lompoc and surrounding towns. 
His parish extends from Point Concepcion 
. to Santa Barbara, and from Santa Maria to 
the sea; his residence is at the did Santa Ynez 
Mission, which was established by Father 
Estevan Tapiz on the 17th of September, 
1804. He then translated the Spanish 
catechism into the Indian vernacular. Father 
Tapiz was a Catalonian by birth, and a man 
of great learning. The Mission was built at 
the expense of the Catholic Monarch, Charles 
IV, King of Spain and the Indies. The 
Mission was founded by the College Mis- 
sionaries of San Fernando, Mexico, and was 
endowed by King Charles IV, who gave full 



administration of the possessions to the mis- 
sionaries. It stands on an elevation, over- 
looking the beautiful valley of the same 
name, and was called by the Indians " Ala- 
julapu, which means " higher," as the mis- 
sion points to a higher life. Ln the day of 
founding at the feast of the Stigma (wound) 
of St. Francis, September 17, 1804, Father 
Tapiz, President of the Missions, associated 
with the missionaries from San Fernando 
College, first blessed the water according to 
the ritrht of the Catholic Church. He then 
proceeded to the ceremony of blessing the 
Mission and the buildings, dedicating to Cod 
our Lord, and then erected the big cross on 
the land, singing the Litany of the Saints. 
After that he celebrated the mass in a brush 
tent that had been prepared with all possible 
decency, in which he preached to several white 
persons, among whom was President Ray- 
mundo Carrillo, Commandant of the Presidio 
at Santa Barbara, and a great multitude of 
natives from the missions of Purisima and 
Santa Barbara. Afterward, they sang the 
Te Deum, and other hymns and psalms to the 
greatest honor of God and His Holy Name, 
and the good of their souls. The first mis- 
sionaries were Father Antonio Calzada and 
Father Jose Romaldo (xuttierez, and that day 
were baptized twenty-seven Indians and chil- 
dren. Father Carrillo was sponsor for the 
twelve boys who were first baptized, and 
Dofia Francisca, wife of Jose Maria Ortega, 
for the fifteen little girls. The mission was 
established, because of the large number of 
Indians in the valley, and the great distance 
between the two missions, Purissima and 
Santa Barbara; the college grant was given 
to the bishops in 1844 to aid them in estab- 
lishing an ecclesiastical seminary for the 
education of students aspiring to the priest- 
hood, and children. The college was first 
established at the mission, in September, 



358 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



1845, by Father Sanchez, Father Romano 
and others. After college buildings were 
constructed it was moved to them in 1863, 
and continued until 1864, when the diocese 
was divided. 



ILLTAM L. BEEBEE.— Of the pio- 
neers who came to California before 
lr=|f£r} the advent of the gold-seekers, but 
few remain to tell the tale of that interesting 
period when the western coast of the Ameri- 
can continent was to most people an un- 
known land, yet one is occasionally met with 
here and there throughout the State, and, in- 
deed, rarely one may yet be found in busi- 
ness and mercantile pursuits. An example 
in point is the gentleman whose name heads 
this sketch., who has been, since the pioneer 
days, one of the most prominent figures of 
commercial circles in this entire region. A 
brief resume of some of the salient features 
his life therefore becomes valuable and 



m 



indeed essential in a volume of this nature. 
He is a native of Oswego, New York, born 
November 21, 1829, his parents being Will- 
iam L. and Mary (Douglas) Beebee, both of 
whom were natives of New York, the 
mother born in Onondaga County and the 
father probably in New York city. The 
latter was a merchant by vocation, who, in 
1834, removed with his family to Cleveland, 
Ohio, where he contracted malaria, with re- 
sults which proved fatal about a year after 
his arrival there. His widow, with her fam- 
ily, consisting of our subject, a younger 
brother and a sister, then went back to New 
York to live with her father. They resided 
at Auburn and at Skaneateles, but most of 
the time at the former town, and in these 
places William L. Beebee was reared to his 
fourteenth year. The Beebees of New York 



and Philadelphia, bullion and stock brokers 
— one of whom, Samuel J., was the founder 
of the New York Merchants' Exchange — 
were half-brothers of his father, and the lad 
of fourteen went to the Quaker City to com- 
mence a business career in their office in that 
city. 

He remained with them about two years 
in this office in the two cities, and then an 
event occurred that changed the whole trend 
of his life. Among the appointments made 
by James K. Polk after his accession to the 
Presidental chair, was that of William G. 
Morehouse as consul to Valparaiso; and, hav- 
ing an opportunity to accompany that gentle- 
man to the scene of his labors, our subject, 
who was by no means averse to a little adven- 
ture, readily availed himself of the chance, his 
uncle providing for his comfort and conven 
ience on the trip as far as possible. In 
November, 1846, he sailed on the bark Hor- 
tensia, from Baltimore, her expected route 
being to the South American city by way of 
Cape Horn, and his fellow passenger, besides 
Consul Morehouse and his wife and child, 
being Henry D. Cook, who afterwards be- 
came Governor of Washington under Presi- 
dent Grant, and two young Californians. 
The bark proceeded on her journey without 
an especially noteworthy incident until about 
the latitude of the Bermudas, when she en- 
countered a terrific storm, and was tossed 
about at its mercy for six days — days of 
ceaseless agony to those on board. When at 
last the war of the elements abated, the ves- 
sel was found to be off the northeast of the 
Bermudas. The storm had played sad havoc 
with the bark, which was left without masts, 
her deck swept away of everything and with a 
hole in her bow, a condition of things which 
called for prompt action to insure her reach- 
ing a port in safety. They rigged up a jury 
mast, and the nearest land they could reach 



AND VEN1UKA COUNTIES. 



359 



in their condition with the prevailing winds 
was the Island of St. Thomas, in the West 
Indies. The vessel's head was turned in 
that direction, and the island reached in 
safety. There the passengers learned for the 
first time that the British had a regular line 
of steamers plying between Southampton 
and Chagres, while on the Pacific side a con- 
necting line furnished steam transportation 
between Panama and Valparaiso . Singularly 
enough, the fact did not seem to be known at 
that time either to the United States Govern ■ 
ment or the merchants of New York en- 
gaged in the foreign trade, a condition of 
ignorance as surprising as it seems to have 
beem complete. 

At the island of St. Thomas a little Boston 
pilot boat was chartered, and the party pro- 
ceeded to Chagres, availing themselves of 
the information thus fortunately gained. The 
trip from Chagres to Panama occupied about 
a week, the distance from Chagres to Gor- 
gona being accomplished by poling up the 
Chagres River, where they hired mules and 
rode to Panama. After waiting about ten 
days at that place they took passage on the 
regular steamer for Valparaiso, which was 
reached without special incident. Young 
Beebee found the city full of life and business, 
but after looking around a good deal saw that 
there was nothing there in the way of em- 
ployment or business opportunities to suit 
him, though he could easily have obtained 
situations at office work had he so desired. 
However, he spent some five or six months in 
C iili, principally in Valparaiso, though vis- 
iting occasionally Santiago and other places. 

While in South America the war of the 
United States with Mexico was probably the 
principal event engrossing the attention of 
the world, and our subject was not lacking in 
appreciation of the opportunities which in 
the future would be afforded by that portion 



of the old possessions of Mexico known as Cal- 
ifornia. One day there appeared in the port 
Valparaiso the United States storeship South- 
ampton, whose officers included among their 
number Lieutenant Commander Thornton 
and Executive Officer Worden, afterward the 
world-renowned commander of the Monitor. 
Young Beebee, who made his headquarters 
about the American Consulate, there met and 
formed the acquaintance of the officers of the 
Southampton, who, when they learned that 
he was not exactly satisfied with his stay in 
the Chilean City, asked him to accompany 
them on their cruise to California as a pas- 
senger. Of this opportunity he was not 
slow to avail himself, a visit to that com- 
paratively unknown land having just the 
tinge of adventure that suited his disposition. 
On the way he became sufficiently acquainted 
with Executive Officer Worden to learn that 
that gentleman was very much disgusted 
with seafaring life, indeed, so much so that 
it did not then seem he would be in the serv- 
ice when the time came for him to achieve 
never-dying fame by his prominent connec- 
tion with the naval duel between the Moni- 
tor and the Merrimac, which revolutionized the 
naval warfare and the service of naval archi- 
tecture. 

On the Southampton there was besides Mr. 
Beebee but another passenger, G. D. Brewer- 
ton, a lieutenant in Stevenson's New York 
Regiment, which, by the way, was en route just 
ahead of them. August 25, 1847, the vessel 
put into the harbor of Monterey and joined 
there the squadron under command of Com 
modore Shubrick, operating in connection 
with the land forces under Colonel Mason. 

Mr. Beebee landed from the ship, and 
looking about Monterey found the place to 
be the scene of considerable sickness, and the 
funeral of a lieutenant in progress. lie went 
hunting in the vicinity of the site now occu- 



360 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN WIS OBISPO 



pied by the Hotel del Monterey, and from 
the exposure of the hnnt was taken down, 
after he returned to the ship, with what was 
known as the Monterey fever, and after that 
the physician on board could not allow him 
to go ashore again. Wishing to go to San 
Jose, where his friend Cook had preceded 
him, he obtained the sought-for opportunity 
aboard a little vessel called the Malacadel, 
which had been recently purchased at auction 
by an old shipper. Having a nephew about 
our subject's age, the vessel's owner invited 
him to go along as company, and the offer 
was gladly accepted. He packed his duds, 
bade good-bye to bis friends on the South- 
ampton and boarded the Malacadel, which 
set sail for Sausalito. The vessel was almost 
constantly disabled, and it was well in Sep- 
tember before she reached her destination. 
Then all vessels entering the bay went first 
to Sausalito for water, Yerba Buena being 
practically without a fresh water supply. 
Arriving at Yerba Buena eventually, our 
subject went ashore. There he met one or 
two young men whom he had fallen in 
with in Panama, and who by their conversa- 
tion there had first turned bis attention to 
California. Their names were respectively 
Buckle and Farnham, the latter of whom was 
subsequently a well-known figure and the 
author of a widely circulated work on Cali- 
fornia. Meeting Joseph S. Buckle in Yerba 
Buena, Mr. Beebee learned that he and his 
former fellow-passenger, Henry D. Cook, 
were in partnership in business at San Jose, 
and he accepted an offer to accompany Mr. 
Bxickle to San Jose, where he entered their 
employ as clerk. The incumbency of their 
position did not prevent him from taking a 
trip anywhere throughout the State at any 
time bis inclination led him to desire a 
change and recreation. 

California, inhabited as it was by the gen- 



erous ranch owners and their help, was a land 
of ideal hospitality, and one could travel for a 
year throughout its length and breadth with- 
out the opportunity to expend anything for 
entertainment. If it were to remain such 
forever there was no necessity for a care for 
the future. It was almost a pity to break up 
such a condition, even to make way for the 
march of modern improvement, with its 
ruthless disregard for sentiment. 

On one of these trips of vacation from the 
store he accompanied a party of Mexicans on 
an elk hunt as far away as the San Joaquin 
Biver, they seeking the animals for their 
hide and tallow. He also often rode to Mon- 
terey and to Yerba Buena, and he saw in its 
primal state the future great commercial city 
of San Francisco, its few streets as yet un- 
trodden by the feet of the gold-hunters, who 
were to make for California a new history. 
While with others he foresaw that a great 
commercial center was to spring up on the 
bay of San Francisco, yet it was at that time 
an almost unreasonable stretch of imagina- 
tion to locate it on the sand hills by the 
bleak mountain side, where fate had mapped 
out its streets and blocks, while mucb more 
desirable appearing sites seemed ready made 
at other points along the bay, and while many 
of the shrewdest men of the day had selected 
Benicia as the site of the future metropolis 
of the Pacific. Mr. Beebee recalls, as inci- 
dental to the borseback rides he was accus- 
tomed to take at that day from San Jose to 
the bay, that the only disagreeable portion 
of the trip was the last three or four miles, 
where the tall, narrow mounds of sand im- 
peded the view and obstructed the way so 
that it was necessary to pursue an extremely 
tortuous course in the latter part of the jour- 
ney to Yerba Buena. Yet, where these very 
sand hills made life miserable for the trav- 
eler of that day, now lies the most valuable 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



861 



portion of San Francisco; where property is 
valued at thousands of dollars to the foot, 
and the sand of early times is to-day but a 
memory, cannot the wise men of to-day now 
understand why the bright young man of 
'48 did not lay the foundation for fortunes 
of millions by buying up all the fifty-vara 
lots they could get at the regular price of 
$16.75. Mr. Beebee did become the owner 
of one of these lots, and when in 1849 he 
sold it for $1,600, he was looked upon as a 
very shrewd and fortunate man of business. 

At last the discovery of gold by Marshall 
occurred, and the news reached San Jose 
through a messenger who passed through on 
his way to Monterey to exhibit results of the 
find to the Governor. Our subject was 
among the early ones to go to the mines, 
prompted in this course as much by love of 
adventure as a desire for personal aggran- 
dizement. At the mines he had what would 
be looked upon as excellent success, though 
not caring particularly to accumulate the 
sudden riches that one might suppose there 
was a chance for. As an illustration of this 
iack of greed for gold then existing among 
some of the young men, an incident not de- 
void of an amusing side may be related. One 
day, on which the sun shone with unusual in- 
tensity, our subject was reclining, in com- 
pany with a young blacksmith, under the 
grateful shade of a tree. About three o'clock 
in the afternoon, the temperature liaving be- 
gun to moderate, the blacksmith proposed to 
Mr. Beebee that they resume prospecting. 
The proposition being satisfactory, work with 
the pick began in a shaded place, and before 
sundown our subject had washed out nearly 
$400 worth of gold! As a sequel to a typi- 
cal tale of the time, it may be stated that a 
couple of days later the pair were seeking 
new and better diggings! 

In the fall Mr. Beebee left the mines and 



28 



went back as far as Yerba Buena, where he 
was taken sick with the Sacramento fever. 
The winter passed without incident other 
than the excitement of the new life, caused 
by the fever, and in May, 1849, Mr. Beebee 
left the scene of his early experience in the 
northern counties for San Luis Obispo, in 
company with Samuel A. Pollard, the present 
city clerk of this place, who had been down 
in this country before. Messrs. Beebee and 
Pollard opened a store for the sale of general 
merchandise, putting up the first store build- 
ing, an adobe, which still stands on the 
corner of Monterey and Chorro streets, ad- 
joining Sinscheimer's store. The conditions 
of trade at that early day were vastly dif- 
ferent from those existing at present. Cus- 
tom came to this store from the ranches all 
round, some as remote as forty miles away. 
After two or three years in merchandising, 
which was somewhat unprofitable, Mr. Beebee 
withdrew from the firm and engaged in 
ranching at a place eight miles south of San 
Luis Obispo, where he continued in the cat- 
tle business until the dry year of 1864-'65. 
During that drouth his 1,500 head of cattle 
lay down and died, and he experienced a 
great financial set-back. It was not lono- 
afterward that he sold his ranch of 1,200 
acres to Steele Bros., whose property it yet 
remains. 

Meantime, however, Mr. Beebee had en- 
tered the realm of politics. He was one of 
the few Republicans who resided hereabouts 
at the outbreak of the Rebellion, and he was 
one of the principals in the movement to 
build up and crytallize Union sentiment, or- 
ganizing a strong Republican constituency 
with the aid of the Spanish recruits, lie 
was appointed by Governor Stanford as Judge 
of San Luis Obispo Count} 7 , and having 
served a year by virtue of the commission 
he was elected to succeed himself, and re- 



362 



SANTA BARBARA, S AN LUIS OBIS BO 



elected at the expiration of that term. His 
part in building up the Republican party in 
this county was an active one, but he has 
since excluded politics, and gives it only the 
attention necessary in the exercise of his 
privileges as a citizen. 

Having sold his ranch, he moved into 
town, and in 1869, in company with John 
Harford, who owned the landing facilities, 
and L. Schwartz, of Santa Cruz, who resided 
in the timber district, he embarked in the 
lumber business, Mr. Schwartz doing the 
buying, Mr. Harford the shipping, while Mr. 
Beebee did the selling and managed the busi- 
ness. Mr. Harford afterward retired from 
the firm and went to Washington Territory, 
where he now resides, and Messrs. Beebee 
and Schwartz have since carried on the trade, 
the former having exclusive management of 
the business for some ten or fifteen years, 
when, having placed it on a permanent foot- 
ing, he gradually began to retire from the 
aggressive part he had so long taken in its 
conduct. Some idea of the magnitude of the 
operations of this house may be gathered 
when it is stated that their trade has in the 
past reached all the way from 5,000,000 to 
10,000,000 feet of lumber per year, they 
supplying the trade to the remote interior. 
All these years they have practically con- 
trolled the lumber trade of this part, and 
have had extensive interests in the shipping 
which touched at Port Harford. They now 
own yards at Cayucos, where they are inter- 
ested in the wharf as members of the firm of 
James Cass & Co. of Santa Maria and at San 
Luis Obispo. 

Mr. Beebee has independently large ship- 
ping connections, being extensively interested 
in fine vessels engaged in the coast and for- 
eign trade, one of which, a fine schooner, 
bears his name. These, however, are but a 
portion of his investments, among the others 



of which may be mentioned banking, he be- 
ing vice-president of the First National Bank 
of San Luis Obispo, and a stockholder in the 
Bank of San Luis Obispo, of which he was 
one of the organizers. He has some agri- 
cultural interests as a partner, and some en- 
tirely on his own account,, among the latter 
a dairy ranch of 500 acres, between San Luis 
and Cayucos, and fifteen miles iiom the 
former. 

Having gotten his various business prop- 
erties under control, Mr. Beebee has allowed 
his former taste for travel to revive to some 
extent, and in 1886 visited Alaska, following 
this in the succeeding year with a tour of 
Europe, occupying six months of constant 
travel and sn>;ht- seeing. In 1888 he made a 
trip to Yellowstone Park, and drank in the 
beauties of that favored center of nature's 
fairest phases. 

He has been twice married. His first wife, 
whom he married here, was Miss Alida St. 
Clair, who died in 1878. By this marriage 
there were two children, of whom one is 
living, viz.: William D., aged fourteen, in 
1890; the other, Addie B., having died at 
the age of seven years. Mr. Beebee's pres- 
ent wife was formerly Miss Arietta S. Bes 
wick, and to her he was united in marriage 
in November, 1879. 

Mr. Beebee is a gjod type of the success- 
ful, spirited pioneer of California. Coming 
here long before the tide of immigration set 
in this direction, he has, ever since reaching 
manhood's estate, held his place well in the 
front rank of business men, through all the 
various changes of condition and circum- 
stances which have taken place since the 
early days. He has seen California in all 
her various phases from the days when he 
rode horseback over her great ranches until 
a new civilization has grown up and she oc- 
cupies a place among the most favored and 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



363 



most advanced of the States of the Union. 
As a business man, be couples with aggres- 
siveness and shrewdness a spirit of toleration 
and moderation which goes far to explain his 
popularity socially. His only affiliation with 
social or fraternal bodies, however, is that of 
his connection with the San Francisco So- 
ciety of California Pioneers, of which he has 
long been a member. 



Wf£f{ S. LEWIS, dealer in hardware and 
| \]f\lk agricultural implements at El Paso 
[•^prj ° Robles, was born in Santa Rosa, 
Sonoma County, this State, August 12, 1865. 
His father, I. M. Lewis, is a native of Mis- 
souri, and his mother, whose maiden name 
was Elizabeth Horn, was a native of North 
Carolina. He is the third in a family of 
seven children; was educated in the public 
schools, and was brought up on a farm in 
San Benito County, California. When the 
town of Paso Robles was begun, he started in 
business there, in 1887, in cigars, tobacco 
and fruit. A year and a half afterward he 
sold out and embarked in the hardware busi- 
ness, as a member of the firm of Holiday & 
Lewis; six months after that he sold his in- 
terest to a Mr. Fletcher and opened a store 
for the sale of agricultural implements and 
hardware, which business he still continues, 
and it is growing. His trade extends forty 
miles to the east. Mr. Lewis is also agent 
for four large insurance companies, — the 
Hartford, North American, Commercial of 
California, and Liberty of New York. He is 
not a member of any of the fraternal organi- 
zations, and in political matters he is a 
Democrat. At the last city election he was 
chosen Treasurer of Paso Robles, against the 
cashier of the Bank of Paso Robles, by a ma- 
jority of three. Commencing without capital, 



Mr. Lewis has succeeded finely in business, 
having accumulated his present handsome 
property by industry, honesty and economy. 



-Suf" 



ATHAN ELLIOTT, a prominent busi- 
ness man of El Paso de Robles, came 
to California with his family in 1864, 
and has been a continous resident of the 
State for the last quarter of a century. He 
was born near Greensboro, Henry County, 
Indiana, January 21, 1835, of English and 
Scotch ancestry. His father, Obadiah Elliott, 
a native of North Carolina, removed to In- 
diana in 1833, a pioneer there, enterino- land 
and bringing up a family, and remaining 
there until his death. He was a Quaker and a 
zealous Abolitionist. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Armella Hinshaw, a very pious 
lady of the Society of Friends, was also a 
native of North Carolina, and daughter of 
Seth Hinshaw, a prosperous and prominent 
free-labor merchant of Southern slavery 
times. The subject of this sketch, the fifth 
in the family of eight children, was brought 
up on a farm and learned the trade of brick- 
making and bricklaying, but soon embarked 
in mercantile pursuits, which he conducted 
with success in Indiana and Iowa until 1864 
when he sought the Pacific coast. The first 
seven years here he resided in Woodland 
Yolo County, engaged in the manufacture of 
brick and in contracting. In 1873 h e re- 
moved to San Francisco, where for fourteen 
years he drove a prosperous fruit and mer- 
chandise commission business; and finally, in 
1886, he came to El Paso de Robles, as the 
town was just starting. He attended the 
first sale of town lots, and made purchases, 
subsequently of several blocks, and started 
the first brick-yard in the place, and has 
manufactured the brick for nearly all the 



3C4 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



brick buildings in town, including the brick 
hotel, which, required 1,500,000 b'-ick. He 
erected some buildings himself and has just 
broken ground for a large business block. 
Only three and a half years ago, when he 
first came here, it was only a cattle ranch; 
lie has been an important factor in building 
np this pretty place. The city is now incor- 
porated, and has one of the most palatial 
hotels, and a bath house on the coast; a large 
flouring-mill with roller process and a ca- 
pacity of 150 to 200 barrels of flour per day, 
two school-houses and four churches, a good 
system of water works, electric lights, etc. 
Mr. Elliott is a Freemason, and both him- 
self and wife are members of the O. E. S. 

He was married in 1855, to Miss Emily I. 
Haskit, a native of Indiana, and daughter of 
Thomas and Sarah Haskit. Of their four 
children three are living and are married: 
Charles F., is a merchant of El Faso de Ro- 
bles; Mary S. is the wife of Charles H. Ar- 
nold, and resides in San Francisco; Laura is 
now Mrs. S. P. Stephens, and resides in El 
Paso de Robles; the one now deceased, Sarah 
Armella, was a star in the family, and much 
loved and esteemed by all. The grand- 
children are five in number and are: Pearl 
H. and Meta Jane, Elliott and Susa V, and 
Elliott Stephens and Armella E. Arnold. 



C. JAMESON, one of the prominent 
young business men of El Paso de 
^ Q Robles, was born July 6, 1860, in 
Providence, Rhode Island. Thomas Jameson, 
his father, came from Scotland to America 
when a boy and now resides in Monterey 
County, this State. He married Miss Ellen 
Curran, a native of Scotland and a descendant 
of the Irish Currans who left Ireland soon 



after the Irish rebellion. His parents' family 
were three children, of whom he is the 
youngest. He was but seven years of age 
when he came with the family to California. 
In completing his education he took a 
thorough business course at the business 
college of San Francisco. He learned the 
tinners' trade and opened a shop at Castro- 
ville, and carried it on four years; selling 
out, he came to El Paso de Robles and in 
1888 bought out a firm dealing in stoves, 
hardware and tinware, and he has since con- 
tinued the business, enjoying a good patron- 
age. He has orders from a distance of thirty 
miles. He is a Republican in his political 
views, a Master Mason and is highly esteemed 
by his fellow townsmen. 

He was married in 1884, to Miss Emma 
Trafton, a native of Watsonville, California, 
and a daughter of George A. Trafton, a grain 
dealer of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Jameson 
have two children: Mabel, born in Castro- 
ville, and Alma, born in El Paso de Robles. 



fM. ROCHIN, of Los Alamos, was born 
March 19, 1822, in the State of Sonora, 
9 Mexico, and at the age of fifteen years 
moved to Guadalupe y Calvo, State of Chi- 
huahua, Mexico, which is a nice, new, rich 
mining town, and there he followed the trade 
of goldsmith, separating gold from silver and 
silver from lead, — a trade he learned from 
one of his uncles, who was one of the best 
mechanics in the country. He also engaged 
in buying gold and silver for a merchant 
there, for a large commission, as he had no 
opposition, making sometimes as much as 
$200 to $250 a week; but he was young :nd 
inexperienced, and the money went outs. > ie 
way about as fast as it came in. In time, of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



365 



course, opposition in his business sprang up, 
and he could not make more than any one 
else. 

In December, 1849, when the California 
gold fever was at the highest and business in 
his place dull, he came to California, landing 
at San Fransisco. He left home December 
2, went to Mazatlau on muleback, arriving 
there on the 9th, and then found that all the 
berths on steamers were taken for two to 
three months ahead. He had therefore to 
wait for the first sailing vessel. Soon a little 
German schooner came along, and he and 
fifty other Mexicans and fourteen Americans 
embarked upon it, being all that it could 
carry; but it was a fleet vessel. He and an 
American gentleman and his family and six 
other persons took all the berths that the ves- 
sel had. They arrived at San Francisco 
January 1, 1850, making a quicker trip than 
had ever before been made from that point 
by a sailing vessel. He went direct to the 
mines, and for three years was engaged all 
through the mining section, in every occupa- 
tion which the district afforded, having his 
" ups and downs," as has been the experience 
of all miners. In 1853 he went to Los 
Angeles, where he passed one year. In 1854 
he came to Santa Barbara, where he began 
what has since proven a very extensive stock 
experience. He began by renting land and 
keeping native stock of cattle, and in 1875 
started the breeding of fine horses. He com- 
menced his herd by purchasing forty picked 
mares from the stock of Dr. Richard Den and 
thirty from Mr. Ruiz, of Santa Barbara 
County; in 1873 was said to have owned more 
horses than any other man in the county. 
In 1873 he sold 200 choice mares to Sepul- 
veda, of Los Angeles. In 1875 he traded 200 
mares far the stallion " Newry," who was a 
full brother to Norfolk, and fleet runner, and 
bred by Mr. Alexander, of Kentucky. Mr. 



Rochin lost " Newry " in 1883, through the 
burning of one of his stables. He now keeps 
three stallions, — Antioch, Don Ramon and 
Captain Martinez, - and breeds for both run- 
ning'and trotting, having forty choice mares. 
Since 1876 Mr. Rochin has given special 
attention to the breeding of fine cattle, and 
his herd averages about 1,500 head. 

Mr. Rochin was married at Los Angeles, 
in 1853, to Miss Lorenza Ordaz, a native of 
California. She died January 1, 1889, leav- 
ing one daughter. Mr. Rochin bought a 
ranch of 1,250 acres near Lompoc, in April, 
1877, where he kept his horses, but sold 
again in 1880, feeling that it was cheaper to 
rent than to purchase. He has since been a 
large renter, also owning considerable city 
property in Santa Barbara and Los Alamos. 
He has always had the reputation of dealing 
conscientiously, and of breeding the best that 
could be obtained. 



> **~"' | ^ * 3 ' *l " j) 1 " "*** 

IjfRIDOLIN HARTMAN.— Among the 
|K early residents, prominent citizens and 
^p 5 business men at San Buenaventura, we 
find the subject of this sketch. As his name 
indicates, Mr. Fridolin Hartman was born 
in Bavaria, Germany, and he dates his birth 
February 2, 1844, his parents being Bava- 
rians. He was reared and educated in his 
native country. At the age of twenty-one 
he traveled in Austria and France, and was 
in Paris when war was declared with Ger- 
many. He came to the United States, land- 
ing in New York August 26, 1870. He first 
went to Philadelphia, then to Pittsburg, and 
on to St. Louis, Missouri, where he accepted 
a situation as foreman in a malt house. He 
next went to Kansas City, then to Denver, 
Colorado, and from there to Sacramento, 
spending a year and a half in the city brew- 



3G6 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



ery at Sacramento. Then he went to San 
Francisco, and, after spending two or three 
months there, he came to Ventura, in 1873, 
where he accepted a position in Mr. Green- 
wood's brewery. It was then a little wooden 
shanty, and, after working a year, he bought 
the property. He was so successful in his 
business that, two years later, he built the 
present two- story brick brewery. 

Mr- Hartman saw the desirability of own- 
ing real estate in a growing county like Ven- 
tura and in the city of Ventura, so he Las 
made a number of investments. He bought 
lands, which he subdivided and sold, and in 
this way his property has accumulated. He 
became the owner of eighty feet on Main 
Street, extending the whole length of the 
block on Palm Street. On this he built a 
commodious residence. Seeing the need of 
a larger hotel in Ventura than the town pos- 
sessed, he took stock for the purpose of build- 
ing one. His lot on Main street being a 
central position, he put it in as stock, and 
Anacapa Hotel was erected upon it. This 
building is a very good one and would do 
credit to any city. It is 80x130 feet, is 
three stories high, and contains 100 well 
planned, spacious rooms, lighted by electricity 
and furnished in good style. The building 
has a mansard roof, and under veranda on 
Main and Palm streets, the whole length and 
width of the buiding. When it was opened 
in 1888, it was crowded with guests, and has 
since been a popular hotel. Mr. Hartman 
has since invested in the stock of the com- 
pany until he owns the controlling interest 
in the whole property, and is now proprietor 
of the hotel. He also owns, and is conduct- 
ing a ranch of 300 acres, about three miles 
north of the town. This property he has 
improved by planting twenty-five acres in 
walnuts, also a large number of all kinds of 
trees, both deciduous and citrus. A portion 



of the farm is devoted to corn, wheat, barley 
and beans, and the rest is in pasture. Another 
piece of town property he owns is 100 feet 
front on the south side of Main Street, be- 
tween Palm and Figueroa streets. 

Mr. Hartman was united in marriage, in 
1874, to Miss Katherine Kaufman, a native 
of Minnesota. Her father, Michael Kauf- 
man, came to the United States in 1820, and 
in 1849, with an ox team, crossed the plains 
to California. In crossing the plains, their 
company had a convoy of soldiers, which es- 
corted them until it was thought they were 
out of danger. After the soldiers left them 
they were attacked by the Indians. Two men 
were killed and one of the women captured. 
They made every effort to regain the woman, 
but failed. Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have had 
eleven children, all born in Ventura, in their 
present home, and all are living except one. 
Those living are Ludwig, Theresia, Fridoline, 
Karl, Katie, Anna, Lena, George, Fanny 
and Willy. The whole family are members 
of the Catholic Church. Mr. Hartman is a 
Democrat, and has three times been elected 
to the office of City Trustee. He resigned his 
trusteeship when he was elected a Supervisor 
of the town. He has served in this office 
four years, and was chairman of the Board of 
Supervisors. During his term of service he 
was strongly in favor of improvements. The 
addition to the court-house was made, and 
the substantial brick jail and the hospital 
were erected. Mr. Hartman's success in life 
would indicate that he is a good financier 



|P>ERNETHY BROS, are the leading 

jyM livery and feed stable men of El Paso 

^^ de Pobles, and they are also prominent 

in the rearing of horses and cattle. The three 

brothers were born in the north part of the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



3(37 



Connty Tipperary, Ireland, — John in 1848' 
Edward in 1849 and Joseph in 1851. Edward 
came to America in 1868, Joseph in 1869 
and John in 1873. They took up Govern- 
ment land, 480 acres, in Monterey County, 
built upon it a residence, etc., and raised 
stock and grain for seven years, when they 
sold out and came to their present place of 
residence. Here they bought lots and erected 
the buildings they occupy, their establish- 
ment being known as the Fashion Stables. 
They have ten carriages and thirty-five head 
of horses. They also have a ranch, where 
they are raising cattle and horses, of which 
John is in charge, while Joseph and Edward 
conducts the business in town. They own a 
fine French-Canadian Messenger horse and 
several valuable brood mares, and they are 
raising some good horses. In their political 
views these gentlemen are Democratic, and 
in religious matters they were brought up in 
the doctrines of the Established Church of 
England. Edward Abernethy is married and 
has five children. 



►*nf« 




STANLEY UTTER is a native of 
the Empire State, and dates his 
'* birth November 11, 18—. His 
father, T. L. Utter, is also a native of New 
York, his ancestors being English, but for 
two generations having resided in New York. 
His mother, Frances A. (Wilson) Utter, was 
a native of New York, as also was her father, 
Jeremiah Wilson, her ancestors, too, bei no- 
English. Mr. Utter's father was a Union 
soldier in the late war. The subject of this 
sketch is the second child of a family of three 
sons and two daughters. His education was 
obtained chiefly in the public schools, later 
taking a course in the Curtis Business Col- 
lege, in Minneapolis. He began a fruit, con- 



fectionery and tobacco business in that place 
and continued the business very successfully 
for four years. His health failing at this 
time and being desirous of a change of loca- 
tion, he was influenced in deciding on Cali- 
fornia as his future home by reading, in the 
San Francisco Chronicle, a description of San 
Luis Obispo County. The fine springs, the 
new railroad, the central location of El Paso, 
de Robles, and the delightful climate, were 
the attractions which brought him to this 
sunny land; and his expectations have been 
fully realized, both in the growth of the place 
and also in the improvement of his .health. 
When he arrived the railroad had just been 
completed. The whole business of the town 
was done in the old "trap" where the hose- 
cart is now kept. It contained a general 
stock of provisions, groceries, hardware and 
drugs, and also the postoffice. The change 
that has come over the town, in this respect, 
is marvelous; its many nice brick blocks, 
with fine stocks of merchandise, show a won- 
derful change in three years. Mr. Utter 
bought a block, corner of Twelfth and Olive 
streets, and at once commenced the erection 
of three cottages. They were completed in 
two months, and he moved his family into 
one and rented the others. He also bought 
a barley mill and engine, and has been doing 
the crushing for this section of the country, 
and in this way has become acquainted with, 
most of the people in the county. He pur- 
chased 172 acres of land, and has since sold 
twenty-five acres at double what it cost him. 
The rest of the land he is devoting to the 
production of grain and also to the cultiva- 
tion of some fruit. Mr. Utter still owns a 
fine home in Minneapolis, and other property 
there. 

He was married in November, 1880, to 
Miss Mary C. Ilewins, a native of Indiana, 
and daughter of Donavin and Emaline flew 



368 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJSf LUIS OBISPO 



ins. Her father is a fanner near Petersburg, 
Indiana, on lands he bought in an early day, 
and for man} 7 years has been postmaster of 
that town. Mr. and Mrs. Utter have two 
children, Irene, born in Indiana, and Dar.win, 
born in Paso Robles, California. 

Mr. Utter is a Republican, and a worthy 
citizen of the town of his adoption. 



f'f F. NEWBY, an influential citizen of 
Ventura, was born in Wayne County, 
01 Indiana, January 3, 1841. His father, 
Gabriel Newby, a native of North Carolina, 
was an enthusiastic supporter of Henry Har- 
rison. He served as County Commissioner 
of Wayne County for eight years, and was 
highly commended for services rendered. 
Thomas Newby, of the firm of Morrison & 
Newby, of Cambridge City, Indiana, an uncle 
of the subject of this sketch, was one of the 
highest Masons of the United States. The 
Newby Lodge there was named for him. 
Mr. Newby's grandfather, Gabriel Newby, of 
North Carolina, was one of the first settlers 
of that State. The family have been noted 
for their patriotism, love of liberty and hatred 
of oppression. His great-grandfather lib- 
erated all his slaves, numbering more than 
100 persons — an act very unusual at that early 
day. Mr. Newby's ancestors were Quakers, 
the original progenitors of the family having 
come to America from England and Scotland. 
His mother was Rebecca (Harvey) Newby. 
It is his impression that she was a native of 
North Carolina. She died when he was only 
four years of age, and the family afterward 
moved to Lee County, Iowa. His father was 
long aleading business man of Cambridge City. 
Mr. Newby was next to the youngest of a 
family of eight children. In 1857 he went 
to Leavenworth, Kansas, and while there was 



ean nthusiastic supporter of James Lane, be- 
ing there during the time of the Kansas 
troubles. From there he went to St. Louis, 
and then to St. Joseph, Missouri, where, for 
a time, he clerked in the postoffice. In 1859 
he removed to New York city, was there four 
years, a portion of that time being clerk in 
the St. Nicholas Hotel; and from there he 
returned to Leavenworth, and was in part- 
nership, dealing in dry goods and notions 
with Mr. Bloomingdale, now a wholesale 
merchant of New York city. In 1864, dur- 
ing Price's raid, word was sent to Leaven- 
worth that Price was going to burn the town. 
A meeting was called to devise means for 
protection, of which meeting Mr. Newby was 
elected chairman. They decided to raise and 
equip a company from the business men of 
the town. Mr. Newby was Orderly Sergeant 
of this company. General Curtis met and 
defeated Price, and the town was saved. 
Owing to the excessive rents, they moved to 
St. Joseph and continued business there about 
two years. Fire caught in an adjoining 
building and his store was burned out. Mr. 
Newby was a severe loser. He was not out 
of business long, however, for lie soon en- 
gaged in ornamental tree planting, and was 
very successful. 

In 1874 he came to California. After he 
had been two years in San Buenaventura the 
town, was reorganized, and in December, 
1877, he was elected Town Clerk and As- 
sessor, and has held the office ever since with 
the exception of two years, his last majority 
being the largest of any town officer. He 
has thus far performed the duties of this 
office with credit to himself and satisfaction 
to his fellow-citizens. Mr. Newby w^as one 
of the men who was helpful in organizing 
the Town Library, of which the residents are 
now so justly proud. Some objection was 
made to it on the ground of expense to the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



3G9 



town; he was instrumental in overcoming 
these objections, and was elected its secretary 
and librarian, holding the office for ten years. 
During his city clerk and assessorship he has 
collected large amounts of money to pay the 
school district bonds for the construction of 
the splendid school building, and paid off the 
bonds. 

Mr. Newby was united in marriage, April 27, 
1864, to Miss Permelia E. Sheridan, a native 
of Summerville, Kentucky. Her father, S. 
N. Sheridan, was Sheriff of Buchanan County, 
Missouri. Their union has been blessed with 
three sons and two daughters, viz.: Thomas 
S., John "W., Edward M. and Nellie, born in 
St. Joseph, Missouri, and Minnie, born in 
Ventura. 

Since his residence here Mr. Newby has 
been very successful in the investments he 
made, and he now owns a good home and 
several other places from which he receives 
rents. He is the agent of the Gas Company 
of Ventura. His political views have ever 
been in harmony with the Republican party. 
Mr. Newby is a gentleman who is held in 
high esteem by a large circle of friends and 
acquaintances. 

..♦ ,. t g » ;n; . |n -»»— . . 

fW. BAKER is one of the representative 
business men of the city of Ventura. 
° He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, 
May 7, 1853, the son of F. W. and Mary L. 
(Eaton) Baker, the former a native of Ver- 
mont, of Scotch descent, and the latter of 
Cambridge, Massachusetts, of English ances- 
try. Mr. Baker was the oldest of four chil- 
dren. He attended the Winchester High 
School and also the Massachusetts Agricult- 
ural College. His first work for himself 
was in the dry-goods business with Jordan, 

Not being suited 



Marsh & Co., of Boston. 



with that position, he obtained a place in the 
wholesale hardware store of Hogan, Clark & 
Sleeper, and remained with them two years, 
when the great Boston fire occurred and they 
were burned out. He then accepted an offer 
to travel for Baker & Hamilton, a San Fran- 
cisco hardware house, remaining in their em- 
ploy four years. At the expiration of that 
time he engaged in business for himself in 
Napa, under the tirm name of Stone & Baker, 
doing a tin and hardware business. Two 
years later he sold out to his partner, returned 
to San Francisco, and again entered the em- 
ploy of Baker & Hamilton, working for them 
two years longer. 

Mr. Baker then came to Ventura and pur- 
chased the store of E. A. Edward, who had 
been the pioneer hardware man of the place. 
This purchase was made in April, 1879, and, 
with the exception of one year, Mr. Baker 
has conducted the business and has been very 
successful. From time to time, as necessity 
demanded, he has increased his facilities for 
doing business. The little building that once 
served for a store room has given place to a 
fine two-story brick, 30 x 75 feet, and the first 
building, moved to the rear, is used for a 
warehouse. The store occupies both the 
lower and upper story of the new building. 
Mr. Baker has the only elevator in the city. 
He owns a factory, 30x50 feet, in which he 
manufactures tinware, honey and fruit cans 
in large quantities. He employs five men 
all the time and in the busy season seven or 
eight. His business extends all over the 
county, and some of his manufactures are 
shipped all over the State. In one season he 
made 12,000 sixty-pound honey cans, and 
many thousand smaller ones. They adopted 
a plan that every person who purchased $1 
worth of goods should have a guess on how 
many cans they were making. The one who 
guessed the nearest was paid $50, the next 



870 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



$25, and the third $10. This store is No. 
216 Main street, between Oak and Palm. 

Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss 
Annie M. Sheriden in 1880. She was born 
in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of S. 
N. Sheriden, of Ventura. They have three 
interesting children, two sons and a daugh- 
ter, all born in Ventura, viz.: George L. 
Frederick N. and Annie M. 

Mr. Baker is Senior Warden of the Masonic 
Lodge, F. & A. M. ; is also a K. of P., and 
was District Deputy of the order to the Grand 
Lodge. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. 
Baker is a stockholder in the Ventura Gas 
Company, and does his full share in all pub- 
lic enterprises. He is the owner of a good 
home, where he resides with his family, and 
also owns other valuable real estate. 

Mrs. Baker is a member of the Congrega- 
tional Church. 

.01 -l-t-^-l— g > < l n -*t-»-w 

fOHN REED, one of the founders of the 
Lornpoc Colony, and the surveyor of the 
town, was born in Milton, Norfolk 
County, Massachusetts, in 1826. His father 
was a farmer and carpenter. The subject of 
this sketch received his preliminary educa- 
tion at Milton, and graduated at "Williams 
College, in 1848. He then acted as tutor in 
Virginia and South Carolina for about two 
years. He was married in Boston, in 1853, 
to Miss Amanda S. Baker, and together they 
went to San Antonio, Texas, where for two 
years they were engaged in teaching. In 
1854 they came to California, by the Nicara- 
gua route, landing at San Francisco, where 
his family resided for four years, while he 
was engaged in surveying Government land. 
In 1858 he moved to Santa Clara County, 
bought a farm of 120 acres, and for sixteen 
years thereafter was engaged in farming. In 



1874, at the founding of Lornpoc Colony, he 
came to the valley with other interested co- 
operators; Mr. Reed is one of the few sur- 
viving resident members of that early period. 
He surveyed the town and part of the sur- 
rounding country, and was one of the orig- 
inal purchasers of the grant. He also bought 
160 acres near the center of the valley, which 
he has since sold, and now owns 160 acres 
at Santa Rita, and one block within the cor- 
porate limits. 

Mr. Reed was County Surveyor of Santa 
Clara County in 1862-'63, and of Santa Bar- 
bara County from 1878 to 1887. In 1886 
he was elected Justice of the Peace of 
Lornpoc, and in April, 1890, was elected 
Town Clerk. 

His first wife died at Santa Clara, in 1874, 
and in 1882 he was again married, to Mrs. 
Ella Miller, of Lornpoc, which union has 
been blessed with one child. 



-i*-& 



fC. HATHAWAY, the present manager 
of the Los Alamos Rancho, owned by 
if John S. Bell, was born in Sanilac 
County, Michigan, in 1863. His father was 
a seafaring man, and during his later life 
was captain on the Lakes. The subject of 
this sketch left home at the age of eighteen 
years, and for many years iollowed the mill- 
ing business, learning the trade of millwright 
at Montrose, Colorado. He worked there 
three years in the lumber mill, then, in 1884, 
went to Denver, where he engaged in the 
coal and wood business. In 1885 he came 
to California, settling at Santa Cruz, where 
for two and a half years he managed a saw- 
mill. He came to the Los Alamos Rancho in 
the spring of 1887, in the employ of Grover & 
Rosener, who had contracted to purchase the 
ranch; but failing to meet their obligations 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



371 



in March, 1889, the ranch reverted to Mr. Bell, 
and Mr. Hathaway continued its efficient man- 
ager. He received a diploma in 1888 from 
the Mechanics' Institute of San Francisco, 
for the products of the ranch, in fruits and 
vegetables. The ranch consists of 14,000 
acres; 2,000 is rented and under cultivation. 
They keep about 100 cattle and 175 head of 
horses, with stallions " Othello," " Robbery 
Boy," and " Arab," all running horses. They 
also have about twelve acres in deciduous 
fruits. In 1888 Mr. Hathaway bought thirty 
acres of valley land in the east end of the 
valley, where he is building a house and out- 
buildings, with a view of making that his 
permanent residence. He has a small vine- 
yard and intends setting ten acres to mixed 
fruits. 

Mr. Hathaway was married at Los Alamos, 
in 1889, to Miss Jennie E. Wait. 

W. BROUGHTON came to Califor- 
D| nia in the summer of 1859, and 
i* has resided in the State ever since. 
He is a New Yorker by birth, born July 
29, 1836, at Tonawanda, Erie County. New 
York. He read law in the office of W. W. 
Thayer, since Governor of Oregon, and now 
an able Judge on the Supreme Bench of 
that State. Was admitted to practice in Cal- 
ifornia, in 1863, and since that time has 
favored the profession with a strong tendency 
to newspaper life. Several papers have been 
founded, edited and published by him in 
various parts of the Pacific coast. In 1874 
he owned and edited the Santa Cruz Enter- 
prise, which has since been merged into the 
Loral Item. In 1865 the New Age, the 
first Odd Fellows weekly paper in the United 
States, was founded by him in San Francisco 
and is now in its twenty-fifth year. In 1875 




he established the Lompoc Record, at the 
founding of the Lompoc Colony, in Santa 
Barbara County, California, which he is now 
editing. In 1880 he founded the Arizona 
Bulletin, in that Territory, but discontinued 
the publication. Mr. Broughton was the 
original projector of the Lompoc Colony, 
and performed herculean work in its organi- 
zation and in locating colonists. The success 
of the colony is mainly attributed to his 
enterprise in publishing the local paper and 
diffusing throughout the land the facts con- 
cerning the most desirable region of the 
Pacific coast for homes. 

In 1862 Mr. Broughton was marrieed to 
the only daughter of Mr. George T. An- 
thony, a highly respected citizen of Santa 
Cruz. A family of seven sons and five 
daughters is the result of this happy union. 
In politics, Mr. Broughton of late years has 
been a Democrat, and in 1886 was the nomi- 
nee for the State Senate of that party for the 
district embracing San Luis Obispo, Ven- 
tura and Santa Barbara counties. At present 
Mr. Broughton is at Lompoc, practicing his 
profession and publishing his paper, the 
Lompoc Record, a paper recognized to be 
one of the ablest in the county. 



•^"W^H 1 "" 



f\ENRY DUBBERS, a rancher residing 
in Ventura, came to Ventura in 1862, 
and as he is one of its most worthy 
pioneers, this history would not be complete 
without recording his life. He was born in 
Holstein, in the year 1819, and came to 
America in 1851, coming direct from Ger- 
many to California. His parents were both 
natives of Germany, and his father was a 
merchant. When Mr. Dubbere came to San 
Francisco he was sick, and his intentions 
were to go to South America; but becoming 



372 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



acquainted with other Germans, who were 
engaged in farming, he was induced by them 
to stay in California. They had rented land 
in San Mateo County at $4 per acre, and in- 
duced him to put capital in the business; he 
soon discovered that there would a be loss in 
the venture, and took it under his own man- 
agement. He soon after bought the prop- 
erty — 500 acres — and made good to the other 
parties all that they had put in and more. 
The property advanced on his hands, and he 
sold it at a liberal advance. He then came 
to Ventura, but the title to the lands was so 
unsettled that he did not buy at that time. 
A few years afterward oil was discovered, 
and it was pronounced very rich; New York 
and Philadelphia capitalists came in, and as 
he could talk Spanish he was taken in with 
them. They bought a large tract of land, 
and Mr. Dubbers took charge of the receiv- 
ing of the machinery and supplies for the 
oil wells, and forwarding it to the wells. 
"When Mr. Dubbers came to Ventura only 
two or three schooners stopped here during 
the year, to bring supplies and provisions, 
and for a good while the country was very 
much isolated from the outside world. 

He bought an interest in the Santa Ana 
ranch, and owns about 930 acres; he is 
raising wheat and barley on it. He had 
fifteen acres in city tracts, which he subdi- 
vided, and has sold about half of it at re- 
munerative prices. 

In 1859 Mr. Dubbers was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Wilhelmina Osterman, a native 
of Germany. They had four children: — 
Henry, born in San Mateo; Hattie, born in 
Ventura, and is married to Mr. J. B. Ward, 
a civil engineer from Cleveland, Ohio; Al- 
fred, born in Ventura, and is now at the 
Berkeley University; Emma, born in Ven- 
tura, and is now with her sister in Pittsburg. 
Henry is married, and lives at Point Reyes. 



Mr. Dnbber's ancestors are all deceased, in 
Germany, but he thinks of making a visit to 
that place; he has lived in Brazil and Buenos 
Ayres, and can speak English, Spanish, 
French and German. When he came to 
Ventura there were only a few Americans in 
the place, and no mail conveniences. When 
the postoffice was established, Mr. V. A. 
Simpson was the first postmaster, and a stage 
route was established twice a week from 
Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Mr. Dub- 
bers is leading a quiet and retired life, in his 
old-style, adobe house, surrounded with life's 
comforts. He is spending the remainder of 
his life under the shade of some large trees 
planted by his own hands. 

NDREW NELSON, a prominent busi- 
ness man and rancher of El Paso de 
Robles, was born in Sweden, in 1846, 
both his parents being natives of that coun- 
try. At the age of nineteen years Mr. Nel- 
son entered upon a seafaring life, continuing 
thus engaged for twelve years and during 
that time seeing a large portion of the world. 
In 1870 he came to New York and was there 
variously employed, first as night-watchman 
in a large warehouse. Next he was at Pitts- 
ton, Maine, two years, employed in saw- 
mills. Then, going to Chicago after the 
great fire there, he engaged as a carpenter. 
Returning in 1874 to Maine, he worked at 
Portland, building the Grand Trunk elevator. 
Later he went to San Francisco and worked 
as a laborer on the Baldwin Hotel. The 
next year, 1877, he was married in San 
Francisco to Miss Annie S. Akblom, a native 
of Sweden. They moved to Seattle and 
there bought seven acres of land located five 
miles out in the woods near Talmonkay, 
which he cleared and devoted to the culture 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



373 



of small fruit, remaining in that place until 
1888. Mr. Nelson was successful in Seattle 
in the fruit business and also in his invest- 
ment in real estate. He still owns property 
in that place, and also fifty shares in the 
Puget Sound Creosote Company. He sold 
out and came to El Paso de Kobles, pur- 
chased 160 acres of land near the town, on 
the northwest, built a good residence, and is 
making notable improvements in the way of 
clearing away brush and planting trees and 
vines. Me has also purchased 160 acres 
farther from the town, in the same direction, 
and owns property on which he has built a 
good residence. On his ranches, Mr. Nelson 
is raising some fine horses. 

In addition to his other interests in this 
place, Mr. Nelson is senior member of the 
firm of Nelson-Quarnstrom Company. The 
paid-in cash capital of the company is 
$9,000. They have a general merchandise 
store on Twelfth street, and do the principal 
business in their line in town, their trade ex- 
tending from forty to fifty miles east. 

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have five children, 
four sons and one daughter, all born in 
Washington Territory, viz.: Robert, Fred- 
rick, Earnest, Albert and Mable. Mr. Nel- 
bon and his wife are members of the Met'h 
odist Church. He is a Master Mason, and 
in his political views is a Republican. 



— — K»»-»i y . 3 1 t ;»? i » «o«-— ■ 

>ENSON POLAND, one of the original 
founders of the town of Lompoc, was 
born in Randolph County, Virginia, 
now West Virginia, December 13, 1838. 
His father was a farmer, who in 1844 emi- 
grated to Chariton County, Missouri, and 
bought 292 acres of land and carried on 
general farming; he also raised tobacco, 
which was then a staple product. Henson 



was educated in the subscription schools of 
that period, then attended the Brunswick 
Academy, and finished at the Bluff High 
School, which was founded by Thomas M. 
Crowder, a graduate of the University of 
Virginia. Mr. Poland then taught school in 
Prairie Township, now called Salisbury, Mis- 
souri, but owing to the breaking out of the 
war and the exciting political feeling of Mis- 
souri, his school was dismissed before the 
term expired. Being a strong advocate of 
Unionism, contrary to the expressed senti- 
ments of his family, and yet not caring to 
take up arms against a people in which was 
represented his own kin, Missouri became too 
hot for him and he went to New York. In 
1863 he took the steamer, en route for Cali- 
fornia, by the Isthmus of Panama, arriving 
in San Francisco on April 28, 1863. He 
farmed in San Joaquin County during the 
summer, and in the fall started for the Ari- 
zona mines, but at Los Angeles was diverted 
to the Soledad mines, where he passed four 
months, returning to Santa Cruz County 
in March, 1864, where for six years he worked 
in timber, furnishing lime kilns and the 
California Powder Company with fuel and 
stove wood. In 1870 he was employed by 
the California Powder Company as manager 
of outside hands, and at his departure received 
highly commendatory certificates. In the 
fall of 1874 he came to Lompoc, at the found- 
ing of the colony, and was one of the syndi- 
cate which purchased a part of the Lompoc 
ranch, namely 46,500 acres, and has since 
bought five town blocks, twenty-five acres, 
four and a half of which he still owns. He 
improved his city property, and leased 200 
acres, which he cultivated in grain, until 
1888. He set out twelve acres in deciduous 
fruits, 1,000 trees, apples, pears, plums, all 
of which are now in bearing and doing well. 
In 1888 he was elected Town Clerk and 



374 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



served one term, and in April, 1890, was ap- 
pointed Postmaster by President Harrison, 
assuming his office July 1, 1889. He has 
fitted up his office at his own expense, making 
it comfortable and convenient, and is a very 
acceptable postmaster. 

Mr. Poland was married at Santa Cruz, 
August 4, 1868, to Mrs. D. W. Scoville, a 
native of New York State, who crossed the 
plains to California in 1863. Mr. Poland 
has served as presiding officer of Lompoc 
Lodge, No. 262, F. & A. M., and was also a 
charter member of the San Luis Obispo Lodge, 
No. 62, Royal Arch Masons. He was a char- 
ter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 
248, which was instituted July 10, 1876, and 
has been continuously an officer untilJune 1, 
1889, having passed through every chair. 
He was present to represent the Santa Cruz 
Lodge, No. 38, F. & A. M., at the laying of the 
corner-stone of the Mercantile Library at San 
Francisco, in March, 1867, which ceremony 
was performed by the Grand Lodge of Cali- 
fornia, F. & A. M. Mr. Poland is a man of 
progress and public spirit, charitable in all 
his dealings, and a conscientious and hon- 
ored citizen. 

^ON. R. M. SHACKELFORD, an emi- 
nent business man of El Paso de Robles, 
is a native of the Blue Grass State, 
where his ancestors for generations, both on 
the maternal and paternal sides, have lived. 
The Shackelfords of Kentucky claim both 
Scotch and English progenitors, while Mr. 
Shackelford's mother's family, the Dickersons, 
claim English forefathers only. Mr. Shack- 
elford was born in Kentucky, and came to 
California in 1853, when a lad of seventeen 
years. Having been identified with Califor- 
nia during the whole of its history as a 



State, and having received his education here' 
he. claims the right and distinction of being 
a Californian in the fullest sense. While 
Mr. Shackelford has made a remarkable busi- 
ness success in life, yet like most pioneers he 
has seen hard times and many reverses, not- 
withstanding the misfortunes and trials have 
been to him, as he expresses it, '» golden ex- 
periences." To appreciate health we must 
know what it is to be sick; and to enjoy sun- 
shine we must have been in the deepest 
shades. 

Mr. Shackelford's business career has been 
a remarkable one. A portion of his boyhood 
was spent in Missouri; and he was but four- 
teen years of age when the gold excitement 
occurred in California. As soon as he was 
old enough be came to this coast, a poorly 
educated boy, seventeen years of age. In 
Tuolumne County, he worked hard all day, 
and at night studied until ten and eleven 
o'clock, in the winter time, and in this way 
he received his education. For five years he 
dug in the mines in Tuolumne and El Dorado 
Counties, both placer and quartz, with but 
fair success. In 1858 he engaged in draying 
and handling freight with ox teams over the 
mountains. He received eighty cents per 
hundred for a single trip, the price of a pair 
of oxen. They took their provisions and 
camped out at night; he followed this busi- 
ness successfully for eighteen months. At 
Marysville he engaged in a flour-mill, for- 
warding and commission business until 1863. 
By this time he had made a little money and 
had it invested in this business: his warehouse 
was full of flour and grain, but the floods of 
1862 and 1863 filled the warehouse with 
water, and the accumulation of years of in- 
dustry was destroyed. He was compelled to 
start out again with ox teams, hauling freight 
from Marysville to Virginia City. He then 
went into the lumber business, which he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



375 



manufactured until 1865. In this year be 
was elected a member of the first Legislature 
of tbe State of Nevada, by the Republican 
party, and served one term. In tbe fall of 
1866 he returned to Los Gatos, California, 
where he opened a general merchandise store 
and lumber business connected with it. In 
1868 he sold out, and in connection with two 
other gentlemen bought 22,000 acres of land, 
on which the town of King City now stands. 
In 1873 he sold out his interest and settled 
at Hoi lister, California, and engaged in a mill 
and warehouse. In this business he is still 
interested, the property having been trans- 
ferred to the Central Milling Company. In 
November, 1886, he removed to El Paso de 
Robles, and engaged in the construction of 
warehouses, and started lumber yards along 
the line of the railroad between Soledad and 
San Margarita. He organized the Southern 
Pacific Milling Company, etc., and they have 
nine warehouses fifty feet wide and aggre- 
gating nearly a mile in length, and as many 
lumber yards. 

Mr. Shackelford has purchased 1,700 acres 
of land adjoining Paso Robles, and has organ- 
ized a company known as the Stock and Fruit 
Company's Association. On this land they 
have established a breeding farm, are raising 
fine horses, and have also a very large orchard. 
Mr Shackelford is one of the directors and a 
stockholder of the water works of the town, 
and is a stockholder and director in the Cen- 
tral Milling Company. Mr. Shackelford, 
with Messrs. Steele & Wheelan, organized 
the Southern Mill and Warehouse Company; 
they have six warehouses and lumber yards, 
and the planing-mill at Ventura City. 

Mr. Shackelford's father and grandfather 
were both born in Kentucky, and both bore the 
same name, James Shackelford. The grand- 
father was a soldier in the Revolution, and in 
the war of 1812 died fighting the Indians, at 



the battle of Hall's Gap. James Shackelford, 
Jr., married Sarah A. Dickerson. Her father, 
Beverly Dickerson, was a stock-raiser and 
tobacco planter. Mr. Shackelford's parents 
had twelve children, of whom ten are living. 
He was the fourth child in this numerous 
family, and was born in Kentucky, January 
17, 1835. He was married in 1861 to Miss 
Mary Louise McQueston, a native of Wis- 
consin. They have one son, Otto Shackel- 
ford, a promising young merchant of El Paso 
de Robles. Mrs. Shackelford's father, John 
McQueston, ie a native of Michigan, of Scotch 
descent. Mr. and Mrs. Shackelford are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church, and were im- 
portant factors in the building of the neat 
church and parsonage in their town. Mr. 
Shackelford was a trustee, and gave the ground 
and $1,200 to aid in the building. 

In March, 1887, Mr. Shackelford built on 
a block of good ground, purchased for that 
purpose, a beautiful cottage, in which he re- 
sides with his family. He is a Knight Tem- 
plar, a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, and a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. He has been a 
Republican since the organization of that 
party. 



-o»~ i-* ^Mj-i" **'- 



§[ I). LINDNER is the sun of J. D. Lind- 
ner, Sr., and was born in Stark County, 
9 Ohio, February 20, 1839. His father 
came from Germany in 1830, stopped for a 
time in the State of New York, then became 
a pioneer of Ohio, and afterward of Iowa. 
He had been a Democrat, but, upon the or- 
ganization of i he Republican party, joined 
its ranks. In his religious views he was a 
Lutheran. He wedded Rosa Mary Sargent, 
a native of Saxony. They were parents of 
nine children, only four of whom are now 



376 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



living. Mr. Lindner was the fifth child of 
this family. He came to California in 1859, 
at the age of nineteen years, and engaged in 
farming in Sonoma and Marin counties, and 
also worked some at the carpenter's trade. 
He afterward removed to San Jose, where he 
was engaged in contracting and building until 
1870. In that year he came to Monterey 
County, settled on a Government ranch, ten 
miles east of San Miguel, remaining on it six 
months, the want of water inducing him to 
abandon it. Mr. Lindner went to the coast, 
seven miles above Cayucos, San Luis Obispo 
County, and entered a homestead. For fifteen 
years he lived there, engaged in raising stock 
and grain, and improved the place by build- 
ing, etc. He sold out and returned to San 
Jose, where he bought eight acres of land ad- 
joining the city. On this property he built 
a house and planted the land to fruit trees, 
and a year later sold out and returned to the 
southern part of the State. At Creston he 
farmed a large tract of land on shares for 
three years, after which he came to his present 
location. He has eighty acres of choice land, 
two miles from Paso Iiobles, and ninety acres 
near Creston. 

Mr. Lindner married Mrs. Maule, a widow 
with four children. They have had three sons, 
Virgil, Warren and Milton. Virgil was born 
in San Jose, Monterey County, and Milton in 
San Luis Obispo County. Of the three sons 
only two are living, Milton dying in the 
second year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Lind- 
ner are members of the Grange, and Mr. 
Lindner is Master of the lodge at Paso Robles, 
and is much interested in its workings. He 
has voted with the Greenback and Prohi- 
bition parties, but takes no interest in the 
older political organizations. He is radical 
on all the topics of interest in the county and 
is well informed. He is by nature endowed 
with the ability to make an interesting speech, 



and had he followed the profession of either 
a lawyer or minister he would have been a 
success. 



§EVI EXLINE is the pioneer horticult- 
urist of Paso Pobles. He is a native 
of Ohio, born January 15, 1844. His 
father, Adam Exline, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, of German ancestry. His mother, 
nee Christine J. Saucerman, was born in 
Ohio. They had a family of nine children, 
of whom Levi is the young 'st except one. 
In 1843 his father moved to Indiana, and 
was a prominent pioneer of that State. He 
took up a Government homestead, reared his 
family on it, and there lived until 1862, when 
his death occurred. On a corner of his farm 
stood a log school-house, with benches made 
from split logs; and here Mr. Exline received 
his education, and learned the lessons of 
fortitude and self-denial which served him so 
well in after life. From this old home of his 
childhood, in 1868, he came to California, to 
make a home in a more salubrious climate. 
For a time he worked a place of his brothers, 
in San Luis Obispo County. He then re- 
moved to El D n-ado County, and in the 
mines, twenty-five miles east of Placerville, 
he met with good success. He then came to 
his present locality, three miles northwest 
of Paso Robles, and took up 160 acres of 
land. By purchase he afterwards acquired 
160 acres adjoining this land. When Mr. 
Exline came into the county it was princi- 
pally occupied by sheep ranchers, who had 
no love for the settlers who wished to till the 
soil. First, they told him nothing could be 
raised and, second, they claimed to own the 
land; and it was by no means a friendly and 
warm reception he received. He knew that 
they had no legal claims to the land, for he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



377 



had himself been to the land-office and made 
investigations. So, in spite of all objections, 
he sat down to stay. He built a very com- 
fortable adobe house, and by his own industry 
and the help of his ever faithful companion, 
it was soon surrounded with flowers and fruits, 
and covered with thrifty grape-vines; and thus 
by their united efforts has the barren sheep 
pasture been transformed into one of the most 
delightful shady nooks for a home imagin- 
able. A little cooling brook gurgles its way 
through their grounds, and lends a charm to 
the beautiful tcene. Mr. Exline has thirty 
acres devoted to fruit of nearly every decidu- 
ous variety, and has fourteen acres planted to 
watermelons. He also raises blackberries 
and raspberries; and finds a ready market for 
all his fruit. 

Mr. Exline's wife was nee Miss Emma 
Stone, a native of Wisconsin, a daughter of 
Samuel Stone, now a farmer of Fresno, Cali- 
fornia. They were married in August, 1879. 
Three children have come to brighten their 
home: Vernon, Clytie and Hazel. Mr. and 
Mrs. Exline are consistent members of the 
Methodist Church. They also belong to the 
Grange. Mr. Exline has been Overseer of 
the Grange since its organization here. He 
is also President of the Farmers' Alliance, 
and he has often been elected School Trustee 
of his district. For years he was an active 
Republican, and is now looking eagerly for 
other advance measures that will ameliorate 
and advance the condition of the American 
citizens, namely: lower rates of interest, 
cheaper and safer railroad facilities, better 
methods of dealing with intemperance, 
cheaper methods of obtaining the implements 
of husbandry, and other measures that will 
benefit the humblest citizens. Mr. Exline is 
a gentleman of intelligence and integrity, 
and his plans and ideas are in harmony with 
those of his companion. 



In speaking of the undeveloped condition 
of the county when he came here, Mr. Exline 
says that the settlers were few and far be- 
tween, and that there was but one store in 
San Luis Obispo. Three bullsdogs were tied 
to the back door of it, as if to keep people 
from coming in the back way. Now San 
Luis Obispo has many magnificent residences 
and places of business, and three other towns 
have started up between his home and that 
city; the county is being swiftly settled up 
with happy, refined and industrious people, 
and still there is room for more. 



►*-•*< 



24 



fEBEEN STEELE, a rancher of Lom- 
poc, was born in Eandolph County, 
Illinois, June 2, 1844, His father was 
a farmer of that county, and in 1851 moved 
to Mount Vernon, Missouri. In 1853 he 
came to California, driving an ox team across 
the plains and being exactly five months on 
the road, arriving at Stockton, September 17, 
where he settled and for the following nine 
years passed much of his time at the mines. 
Sebern graduated at Benicia College, in 1864, 
and began the business of building in 1865. 
He was in the employ of S. E. Iloisington, 
who was a very superior mechanic, and with 
whom he remained about eighteen months. 
He then started out independently, and has 
since been alone in business. He worked at 
building and contracting in Stockton and 
Santa Barbara until the spring of 1875, 
when he came to Lompoc, and followed his 
trade about fifteen months. He bought 2,110 
acres, on August 12, 1876, which was a 
part of the Lompoc grant, then a wild howl- 
ing wilderness, covered with brash and tim- 
ber, which by persistent energy has been 
transformed into beautiful farming and graz- 
ing land, with about 1,400 acres cleared. He 



378 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



sows a large acreage to barley, and raises 
horses, cattle and hogs. His land fronts upon 
the ocean, about two miles in extent, and is 
near the memorable spot upon which was 
wrecked the steamship Yankee Blade, in 
1853. His residence overlooks the sea, and he 
has three other dwelling houses on his ranch, 
with the necessary out-buildings. Mr. Steele 
engaged in building until 1882, but since 
then his contracting has been in the nature 
of road-building or clearing timber land. He 
now has a contract for clearing 300 acres of 
brush and timber, upon which he uses the 
Hawkeye stump puller, pulling out large 
trees by the roots, saving time and labor of 
cutting them down or digging about. 

Mr. Steele was married at Stockton, 
December 23, 1868, to Miss Laura J. Par- 
nell, whose parents were natives of Cornwall, 
England. Her father was a pioneer of 1849 
to California, and a member of the Society of 
California Pioneers of Stockton. She died 
December 25, 1889, leaving six children, — 
four sons and two daughters. 



lHARLES G. BARTLETT, one of the 
prominent business men of San Buena- 
ventura, was born in the southern part 
of England, February 23, 1852. His par- 
ents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Griffin) Bartlett, 
were both natives of England. His paternal 
grandfather, Richard Bartlett, kept a hotel, 
in earlier times called an inn, at Axworth, 
and his maternal grandfather was a flax mer- 
chant. Charles G. Bartlett came to the 
United States when five years of age with his 
parents, and settled at Adrian, Michigan. 
In that State he was raised, educated and 
learned his trade of jeweler. In the year 
1872 he came to San Francisco, and worked 
in a large establishment on Montgomery 



street, for three years, where they were 
doing a large jewelry business. In 1875 he 
came to Ventura, and with his brother, 
Albert G. Bartlett, opened a jewelry, station- 
ery and music store, which has grown from a 
little room 10x15 feet into their present 
large business. Bartlett Bros, have now a 
second store in Los Angeles, of which Albert 
G. is manager; Charles G. is manager of the 
business in San Buenaventura. They enjoy 
the leading jewelry trade of the city; they 
have also had the Pacific coast steamship pas- 
senger agency for ten vears. They employ 
three men in their San Buenaventura store. 
It is remarked about Mr. Bartlett that he 
devotes more time to his business than any 
other man in the city. Mr. Bartlett has built 
a very artistic and beautiful home on Santa 
Clara street, in the best portion of the city, 
where he enjoys the comforts of home with 
his industrious family. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Alice 
Day, a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and 
daughter of James Day, of Ventura. Mrs. 
Bartlett had one son by a former marriage, 
Charles, born in Ventura. They now have 
two daughters: Effie and Mabel, both born in 
Ventura. Mr. Bartlett joined the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Felloes in 1872; he is a 
tine musician, and has been one of the fore- 
most in organizing the fine orchestra and 
band in Ventura. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, but is too much engrossed in business 
to give much attention to political matters. 



— -*>♦ *i»H» 



-Jt-»S-i 



,MBROSE FAEH was born in Illinois, 
June 9, 1862. When he was thirteen 
>*f~ years of age, the entire family came to 
California, one of whom, a married sister, 
was in very delicate health, and it was for her 
benefit that the change of residence was made. 



AMD VENTURA COUNTIES. 



379 



She subsequently died of consumption. The 
family settled on Monterey street in the city 
of San Luis Obispo. Here young Faeh re- 
ceived the advantages of a good schooling, as 
the opportunities for study were excellent. 
In 1882 he purchased a ranch on the Salinas 
River and made that his home for one year, 
at the end of which time he sold out. At 
present he is residing on a ranch near San 
Luis Obispo, engaged in farming, cattle-rais- 
ing, etc. 

A period of Mr. Faeh's life, which probably 
he regrets very much and which forms a part 
of his early history, he relates for publica- 
tion. It occurred between the years 1876 
and 1879. "Without the knowledge of his 
mother or family, he left them at their home 
in San Luis Obispo and engaged in ranching in 
6ome remote part of the county. He was 
gone two years and a half and no one of the 
family knew of his whereabouts. Being only 
fourteen years of age, of course his continued 
absence caused no little anxiety. All the 
time, however, he was rapidly gaining a 
thorough knowledge of ranch life, whether 
or not he was sowing his " wild oats," and 
that experience has been of great value to 
him since, if it was not so to his family. 

Mr. Faeh was married in 1887, and has 
one child. 

»o»~t. I » »?H? « A«l-^o< 



S. NICHOLS, a retired rancher of 
Lompoc, was born in Lewis County, 
^s^^° New York, in 1840, where he was 
also educated. At the breaking out of the war 
he enlisted at Boonville, in October, 1861, in 
Company B, of the Ninety-seventh New 
York State Volunteers, under Colonel Charles 
Wheelock. The regiment was in the First 
Corps, and brigaded under General Duryca, 
and be^an active service at the battle of Cedar 



Mountain, in August, 1862, which was fol- 
lowed by Rappahannock, Second Bull Run, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 
and Gettysburg. Under General Grant they 
were at the battle of the "Wilderness, Cold 
Harbor. Malvern Hill, siege of Petersburg, 
and .many smaller engagements and skir- 
mishes. Mr. Nichols was wounded several 
times, from which he has never recovered. 
They were mustered out in October, 1864. 

Mr. Nichols then returned home, where he 
passed one year. In the fall of 1865 he came 
to California by water, and the Isthmus of 
Panama. After arrival at San Francisco he 
went to Santa Cruz, where he had brothers 
living, and in partnership with them he en- 
tered the lumbering business, which he fol- 
lowed for four years. He was engaged in 
butchering until 1874, when became to Lom- 
poc, with the original incorporators of the 
colony. He attended the first sale and bought 
some inside property; he also rented 150 acres, 
which he farmed. In 1878 he took up 160 
acres of Government land, north of town, and 
also rented 500 acres additional. He im- 
proved his ranch and carried on general farm- 
ing up to January, 1890, when, owing to 
lameness caused by his army disabilities, he 
rented his ranch, and moved his family in 
town, where he owned improved property. 

Mr. Nichols was married in California, in 
1872, to Miss Pastora Dakan, and the union 
has been blessed with three children. 



WILLIAMSON was born in Scotland 
in 1835, and received instruction in 
p- 1 * his school-days from the celebrated 
Scottish historian, Dr. Mcintosh. He served 
an apprenticeship in the tin and hardware 
business, after which ho wont to sea and 
visited the different ports in Europe, and 



380 



8 ANT A BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



finally doubled Cape Horn and came to Cali- 
fornia. On the day of landing at San Fran- 
cisco, he was engaged by a mercantile house 
in that city, his various duties consisting of 
those of steward, waterman and copying clerk, 
which duties occupied his time from 4 a. m. 
to 10 p. m. After three years' service in this 
business, he gave the placer mines a trial, 
soon returning, however, to San Francisco, 
where he made the acquaintance of the senior 
member of a large English mercantile house 
and was given the position of trading agent. 
During his engagement with that firm he 
saw the important cities of the world. 

It was in 1868 that Mr. Williamson came 
to San Luis Obispo, where he has ever since 
been actively engaged in business. He is the 
pioneer merchant in the tin and hardware 
business, and relates some very interesting 
stories of the experience of merchants in 
those early days of San Luis Obispo. Every 
thing, he says, was in an embryo and un- 
settled state of affairs, but money was plenti- 
ful, the soil new, and new people were com- 
ing into the town and county every day, 
bringing their families with them, their 
efforts all seeming to tend to establish an 
endless prosperity and a rapid growth of both 
town and county. But the dry years came 
and the county suffered many serious draw- 
backs. Mr. Williamson is a firm believer 
in a splendid future for this country and is 
of the opinion that it is not far distant, 

He was married in 1866, at Santa Cruz, 
and has seven children, five sons and two 
daughters. 



M. LLOYD, a prominent business man 
of San Buenaventura, and a large prop- 
i<a erty holder, was born in Lee County, 
Virginia, November 23, 1835. His father, 



Absalom Lloyd, was also a Virginian; but 
his great-grandfather, J. Lloyd, came from 
Wales. His mother, Elizabeth (Willis) 
Lloyd, was born in Johnson County, Ten- 
nessee, the daughter of Rev. Louis Willis, a 
clergyman of the Methodist Church; they 
were of German descent. Mr. Lloyd's father 
was married twice, and he was the first child 
of the second family. He studied law under 
the direction of General Tutt, of St. Joseph, 
Missouri, three years, and then was admitted 
to the bar. In August following he enlisted 
in Company C, Third Missouri Cavalry; was 
at first elected a First Lieutenant, and was 
afterward promoted to Captain. His term of 
service expiring at the end of three years, he 
went to Colorado and engaged in freighting 
from Nebraska to Denver. He was the first 
returned Confederate soldier that was ad- 
mitted to the bar in Nebraska, awaiting the 
decision concerning the test oath, by Chief 
Justice Mason until sometime in 1866; he 
continued in his profession in Nebraska City 
until 1871, when he returned to his old home 
in Missouri and lived there many years en- 
gaged in his calling. In 1874 he was elected 
States Attorney for two years, on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and in 1876 was re-elected. In 
1878 he was elected to the State Senate from 
the Sixteenth Senatorial District, and also for 
the revision session of the State Constitu- 
tional Convention, serving three sessions. In 
1884 he was appointed assignee of the New- 
ton County Bank, under a bond of $190,000; 
and in 1888 he closed the estate, having 
settled every claim against the bank. In 
1886 he visited California and Ventura 
County, and made investments which proved 
very successful. He bought 4,000 acres 
joining the town of San Buenaventura and 
partly in the corporation. A part of this 
property he sold at greatly advanced prices. 
He also owns three-fourths of the stock of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



381 



the Ventura Land and Water Company, which 
firm owns 5,200 acres of land, subdivided, 
one of the finest stock and fruit ranches in 
the county. They have settled upon it a 
colony with a school-house. On his property 
here in the city he has built a beautiful resi- 
dence, laid out large grounds and planted 
flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees; it will 
soon be the most delightful suburban resort 
and property in the whole country. This 
ranch is stocked with cattle and horses. He 
has also a three-fourths interest in a fine 
large furniture store in Ventura, stocked 
heavily with choice cabinet-ware, over which 
Warren E. Lloyd, his son, presides. While 
it is his good fortune to have quite a good 
share of this world's goods, it does not render 
him in the least vain; and he ma}' be seen at 
work with shovel and spade with his men, 
planting his trees and ornamenting his 
grounds, — as hard at work as if for wages to 
support his wife and children. He is a saga- 
cious, well-informed businessman and enjoys 
the good-will of his fellow citizens. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and of the 
A. O. U. W. Also one of the promoters and 
trustees of the Scorrit College at Neosho, 
Missouri. 

In 1864 he married Miss Sarah E. Bramel, 
born in 1839, in Missouri. Her father, John 
H., was a native of Virginia. They have six 
children: Lee W., now in the University at 
Berkeley, will graduate in 1892; Lora V., 
married to Mr. M. L. Montgomery; Warren 
E., at home with his father; Roberta T., also 
now in the University; Ralph B. and Eleanor 
P. Mr. Lloyd and his wife and family are 
members of the Methodist Church, South. 
They have been largely instrumental in the 
erection of a fine church edifice in Ventura, 
having donated about one-third of the cost of 
the property. They believe that Christianity 
should be the paramount principle in life, and 



that Christian institutions should be liberally 
supported. 



jENJAMIN FRANKLIN TUCKER, 
the first Postmaster of the town of Lom- 
poc, and the present efficient agent of 
Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, was born in 
Washington County, Maine, in 1829. At 
an early age he began working at lumbering 
and saw-mills, until 1850, when, in Febru- 
ary, he went to Boston to visit an uncle. In 
1850 he sailed for California, around Cape 
Horn. They made but one landing, at Val- 
paraiso, on July 4, and arrived at San Fran- 
cisco September 22. Mr. Tucker shipped 
before the mast, which has proved to be his 
first and last voyage. The vessel was loaded 
with lumber, and they carried but one pas- 
senger. He passed the winter in San Fran- 
cisco, and in June, 1851, went to the mines 
in Tuolumne County, remaining about one 
year, when he went to Santa Cruz. After 
one year at farming he began the carpenter's 
trade, which he continued for twenty years, 
the last ten of which were passed in the em- 
ploy of the California Powder Company, in 
putting up their buildings and then acting as 
repair hand. He became interested and pur- 
chased stock in the Lompoc Colony, and to 
attend the first sale of lands he came to Lom- 
poc, in the fall of 1874, but only bought 
town lots. In March, 1875, by Postmaster 
General Jewell, he was appointed first Post- 
master at Lompoc, and held the office con- 
tinuously for ten years and nine months, up 
to President Cleveland's Democratic admin- 
istration. At the establishment of Wells, 
Fargo & Co.'s express agency in Lompoc Mr. 
Tucker was appointed agent, which office he 
has held up to the present time. He served 
one term as Justice of the Peace, having been 



382 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



elected iti the fall of 1884, and has worked 
more or less at carpentering ever since he 
settled in the valley. 

Mr. Tucker was married at Santa Cruz, in 
October, 1853, to Miss Emily 11. Hecox, and 
they have four children. Mr. Tucker was a 
charter member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 248, 
I. O. O. F., which was established July 10, 
1876, and also a charter member of Lompoc 
Lodge, JSo. 57, Knights of Pythias. 

id« my » It »£-* Ji* fo« 

fAMES BEATTIE, the prominent mer- 
chant tailor of Santa Maria, was born in 
the city of Cork, Ireland, in 1852. His 
father soon after moved to London, where he 
carried on his trade of tailoring, and by whom 
our subject was taught to follow in the same 
industry. In 1872 he came to the United 
States, first settling in Boston, then in New 
York, Philadelphia, Washington, District of 
Columbia, and Chicago, in each city finding 
ready occupation with the leading tailoring 
establishments. On account of poor health 
he left Chicago in 1880 for the warmer Pa- 
cific coast. He first settled in San Francisco, 
engaging with Bullock & Jones, the leading 
merchant tailors of that city. After one 
year he came to Chico, and in 1884 to 
Santa Maria, where he established a first- 
class shop, and with a fine line of imported 
and American cloths he finds a very satis- 
factory market, both at home and from the 
adjoining towns. He likes the town and 
climate, and has fully recovered his health. 
In the spring of 1888 Mr. Beattie built his 
present store building, 24 x 40 feet on Main 
street, and is prepared to meet the require- 
ments of the people. 

He was married in Washington, District of 
Columbia, February 15, 1877, to Miss Sarah 
Reddy, who died in 1879, leaving a little 



daughter, Elizabeth, who was born Novem- 
ber 20, 1877. Mr. Beattie is a member of 
Santa Maria Lodge, No. 302, 1. O. O. F. 



iSIDORE WEILL, one of the leading mer- 
chants of Lompoc, and the vice-president 
^ of the Lompoc Bank, was born in Mo- 
wenheim, Alsace, in 1845. His father was an 
extensive dealer in stock and grain. Isidore 
came to America in 1862, and immediately 
offered his services and life, if need be, in the 
defense of the land of his adoption. Soon 
after his arrival he enlisted in Company B, 
Seventh Massachusetts Infantry, under Col- 
onel Masey. The regiment was in the Sec- 
ond Corps, under General Hancock, and they 
were in the battle of Wilton Station, Spott- 
sylvania, siege of Petersburg and all the en- 
gagements through Virginia. The regiment 
attended the Grand Review at Washington, 
in 1865, and was then sent to Boston, Massa- 
chusetts, where they were mustered out and 
discharged. Mr: Weill then went to Mem- 
phis, Tennessee, where a brother was living, 
and he there began his mercantile life, which 
has proved so successful. In 1867 he made 
a visit to his native country, but returning 
the same year came direct to California, 
where he arrived in September, 1867. He 
then went to Solano County and was em- 
ployed by Blum Bros, in general merchandise, 
with whom he remained until 1875, when he 
opened business for himself, with a Mr. Da- 
vidson. After three years he sold out and 
came to Ventura County and opened a store 
at Hueneme, continuing until 1880, when he 
again sold out and came to Lompoc. He 
opened a general merchandise store on H 
street, in May, 1880, with fresh goods and a 
fine assortment, carrying on a very satis- 
factory business. In February, 1889, he 



<\ND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



383 



moved to his present spacious rooms on Ocean 
avenue. He keeps everything in the line of 
farm implements or family requirements. 
He owns considerable city property and 
much ranch property, in San Luis Obispo 
County. The Bank of Lompoc was organ- 
ized May 20, 1890, and Mr. Weill was elected 
vice-president and manager. He has been 
acting as agent for the Commercial Bank of 
San Luis Obispo for several months; he orig- 
inated the idea of starting a local bank. 

Mr. Weill was married in San Francisco, 
in 1875, to Miss Hannah Kaiser, a native of 
Alabama. They have two children, Maier 
and Reine. 



-$MS-< 




R. HARRIS was born in Missouri in 
1 1832. He received his education in 
his native place, and at the age of 
eighteen years, like many an ambitious youth, 
he decided to go West. It was in 1850 that 
he set out for California, across the plains 
and alone. This journey, which he describes 
as a very tedious one, was made with a wagon 
and pack, but Mr. Harris walked the greater 
part of the time. Upon his arrival in the 
Golden State, he settled in Nevada City, Oc- 
tober 5, 1850, where he remained one year, 
after which he went to Sacramento, where he 
spent a short time in the mines, without any 
very great success, however. He next found 
employment in the Water Ditch Company, 
remaining in their service for two years. 
The winter of 1854-'55 Mr. Harris spent in 
San Francisco, at that time a very small, 
sparsely settled and unattractive place; and 
in the spring he joined a Government sur- 
veying party, as an assistant surveyor, and 
for three years filled that position in all the 
important Government surveys. 

In 1857 the subject of this sketch took up 



his residence in the northern part of San Luis 
Obispo County, where he engaged in stock- 
raising. For the next eight years he was 
engaged at this calling, with considerable 
success. At the end of that time he went 
back to his profession of surveying, which he 
has since continued to follow. His long and 
varied experience in this capacity in different 
parts of the State has been of inestimable 
value to those who have been so fortunate as 
to secure his services. Indeed, it would be 
hard to find anyone who could take his place. 

Prominent in politics and a stanch Demo- 
crat, Mr. Harris has held for many years a 
conspicuous position among his fellow citi- 
zens in the management of the city and 
county affairs. To mention the public offices 
which Mr. Harris has held, or for which he 
has been the nominee of his party, would be 
to mention every important office in the gift 
of the county. He was Supervisor in 1865- 
'66-'67, County Surveyor for twelve years, 
City Councilman for four years, and was also 
a member of the Board of Trustees for San 
Luis Obispo. When it is explained that Mr. 
Harris was elected to the offices mentioned 
above as the nominee of the Democratic party 
— a party greatly in the minority in this sec- 
tion of the State — bis personol popularity is 
shown at a glance. He w T as twice a nominee 
for Sheriff and once for Assemblyman, but 
was defeated by his opponents. 

Mr. Harris is the owner of a very valuable 
ranch, which consists of 300 acres and which 
he purchased in 1880. This property is 
located four miles from San Luis Obispo, on 
the road to Santa Margarita. Mr. Harris 
was married in 1870, and has ten children. 
Their home is distinguished for its hospital- 
ity. After a beautiful drive from the city, 
the visitor is welcomed by Mr. Harris and 
his family with that cordiality and polite at- 
tention always so characteristic, of the Call 



384 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPJ 



fornian. During the past six months (1890) 
Mr. Harris has been stricken down with dis- 
ease, and, though recovering slowly, is not 
able, at the present writing, to engage act- 
ively in business affairs. 



4"h 



W. BROWNE came to Ventura Comity 
in the fall of 1873, from his native 
* ' city, Philadelphia, where he was born 
February 9, 1852. His father,N. B. Browne, 
was born in Philadelphia, in 1818; was a 
lawyer and a Representative in the Legislature 
from his district; held the office of Postmas- 
ter of Philadelphia under the administration 
of President Lincoln; was Sub-Treasurer and 
had charge of the Mint and Custom House; 
helped to organize the Trust and Safe Deposit 
Company of that city; was president of the 
company, and it might be said that he was 
the originator of that enterprise. The ances- 
tors of his family were originally English. 
Mr. Browne's mother, nee Mary Jane Ken- 
dall, was a native of Reading, Pennsylvania, 
and also of English descent. The subject of 
this sketch was the third of a family of two 
sons and two daughters, and his mother's 
death occurred when he was only four years 
old. Mr. Browne received his education at 
Sanders' Institute, Philadelphia, and at Will- 
iston Seminary, East Hampton, Massachu- 
setts. For five years he was employed in the 
Trust and Safe Deposit Company, Philadel- 
phia, beginning as errand boy and rising to 
the position of receiving teller. 

He came to California and engaged in 
sheep-raising, in Ventura County, ten years, 
being in partnership with Levi Taylor. They 
had as many as 12,000 sheep at a time, 
divided in flocks of 2,000 each. He disposed 
of his sheep, and afterward purchased 5,000 
acres of land and engaged in the cattle bus- 



iness on the ex-Mission ranch, ten miles 
east of Ventura. He sold out in 1887, and 
for a year was one of the managers of the 
Anacapa Hotel. In 1882 he had served as 
Supervisor, and resigned the office to go away 
with his sheep. He was again elected, in 
1888, to represent the town of San Buena- 
ventura on the County Board, which position 
he now holds. He is the secretary of the 
Republican Central Committee, of Ventura 
County, and is a tried and true Republican 
of intelligence and ability, and a leader in 
his party. 

Mr. Browne was married, in 1878, to Miss 
Neotia Rice, a native of California, born in 
1860. She is the daughter of Peter Rice, 
who traces his ancestry back to the Germans. 
They have four children, all born in Ventura 
County, viz.: Albert O., Valeria O., Nathan- 
iel B. and Samuel H. Mr. Browne takes a 
just pride in being a member of the Califor- 
nia National Guard, of Ventura; is Second 
Lieutenant of the Company. 




J. McGEE, proprietor of the Pioneer 
Shoe Store of.Lompoc, was born at 
o Kingston, Canada West, in 1846. 
As his parents died when he was very young 
he was early apprenticed, and in 1862 began 
the trade of shoemaker, serving three years. 
In 1865 he went to the vicinity of Rochester, 
New York, where he worked until 1866, 
when he returned to Kingston. . In February, 
1868, he started for California, by water and 
the Isthmus of Panama. There were 1,300 
passengers on board, and except being a little 
crowded they had a comfortable and rapid 
passage, arriving at San Francisco, March, 
1868. He then went to Santa Cruz, and in 
the fall to Watsonville, where he began bus- 
iness, and remained until the spring of 1875, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



385 



when he came to Lompoc, having many 
friends among the colonists. He very soon 
opened a shoe store and shop and has since 
continued the business. The first store was 
an old adobe at the Mission, and the first 
church services were held in a grove east of 
town. Mr. McGee keeps a full line of goods. 

He was married at Kingston, in the spring 
of 1867, to Miss Jessie Legassick, a native of 
England She had given much attention to 
music, and was the pioneer music teacher of 
Lompoc, at which she is still engaged. They 
have three children, two sons and one daugh- 
ter. 

Mr. McGee was a member of the first 
Board of Directors of the town, and served 
two years, and was again elected in April, 
1890, for four years. He is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and for about ten years has been dele- 
gate of the party to the county conventions. 
He owns a nice property on L street, where 
is located his present residence. 

-^f~>»$*§*'~'~ — 

ffOHN SPAWN E, the City Marshal of 
i Lompoc, and a leading dealer in agri. 
cultural implements, was born in Den- 
mark, in December, 1857. His father was a 
blacksmith, and John learned the same trade 
atSchleswig, after an apprenticeship of three 
years. He then worked two years as a jour- 
neyman, and in 1880 came to the United 
States. He first settled in Ionia, Michigan, 
and worked one year in the carriage factory 
of M. J. Shields. He then came West to 
Leadville, Colorado, and was employed as 
blacksmith by the Leadville Lumber Com- 
pany, remaining until January, 1883, when 
he came to Wilmington, Los Angeles County, 
in the employ of the Southern Pacific Kail- 
road. After about fifteen months he took a 
trip to San Erancisco; returning south he 



was engaged a few months at Los Alamos 
and Ballard's. He came to Lompoc in the 
fall of 1884, where he opened his present 
shop, corner of Ocean avenue and I street, 
purchasing the lot 50x150 feet, which he has 
since vastly improved. He carried on all 
kinds of blacksmith and repair work, and for 
two years has had the exclusive agency of 
Frank Bros., of San Francisco, who are ex- 
tensive dealers in agricultural implements, 
and light and heavy wagons. Mr. Spanne 
is an active, energetic man, and is now doing 
the leading agricultural implement business 
of the valley. He has also erected a feed 
mill, and keeps barley and feed for sale. He 
was elected City Marshal in the spring of 
1890. 

re ... si 
-o»« uy a . ?t t? i . +.1^,0. 



fOHN S. HENNING, a prominent con- 
tractor and builder of Lompoc, was born 
at Paris, Stark county, Ohio, in 1829. 
The father was a farmer, owning 112 acres. 
He died at the age of eighty -two years, and 
the mother is still living, at the age of eio-hty- 
two years; the land is still in the family. 
The subject of this sketch was educated in 
the common schools of Stark County, and at 
the age of nineteen years began to learn hid 
trade, serving an apprenticeship with a Mr. 
Bowman at Canton, who later carried on busi- 
ness at South Bend, Indiana. After two years 
of training Mr. Henning took his first contract 
for a store building, which he carried through 
successfully; thereafter he did contract work 
about the county. In 1851 he started for 
Oregon, across the plains, wintering on the 
Missouri River, and arriving in Oregon Sep- 
tember 9, 1852. Mr. Henning came with 
the Hardman family, which made up a com- 
pany of twenty-two wagons. They had a very 
pleasant journey, with no deaths but three 



386 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



births. At Oregon City and Portland our 
subject worked at his trade until the fall of 

1853, when he went to Olympia, Washington 
Territory, with the Government officials, who 
were sent there to take charge of the Terri- 
tory. He followed his trade up to February, 

1854, when he went to Seattle, and remained 
until 1857, building and contracting. He 
bought a place and built a house near Seattle, 
but was burned out by the Indian outbreak 
in 1855. Under Governor Stephens' call for 
volunteers Mr. Henning enlisted for three 
months, in Company H, Second Regiment, 
and was in a three-months engagement, main- 
ly on scout duty. On January 13, 1856, 
he re-enlisted in Company A, First Regiment, 
and was in the light at Seattle, Salmon Bay 
and Duwanish River, being in service about 
one year. He then returned to Seattle, and 
followed his trade until 1857, when he was 
again burned out by Indians. He then went 
into the logging business, furnishing Seattle 
mills. 

In the fall of 1857 he came to California, 
and settled in Santa Clara County, where he 
bought 220 acres of land and built a house. 
He farmed a little, and worked at his trade. 
Mr. Henning remained in that county until 
February, 1877, when he sold out and came 
to Lompoc. He bought 120 acres of land, 
north of town, built his residence, and began 
working at his trade, which he has since con- 
tinued. Prior to 1885 he erected nearly all 
the buildings of Lompoc. In 1885 he went 
to San Diego, and worked ten months, during 
the boom, and twenty months at Santa Bar- 
bara, building the Hawlej Block, and some 
of the finest residences of that city. He re- 
turned to Lompoc, which has since been the 
field of his labors. 

Mr. Henning was married in Santa Clara, 
in 1860, to Miss Mary Conner, a native of 
Massachusetts, who died in April, 1865, leav- 



ing three children. In 1868 he married Miss 
Mary Millikin, a native of Iowa, and they 
have had eight children; ten of all survive. 
The sons carry on the ranch, which consists 
of eight acres in prunes and other fruits, a 
fine tank house, and Mr. Henning will soon 
erect a more spacious residence. 



OLORES HERRERA is, in very plain 
English, an u old timer." He was born 
in New Mexico, in 1831, and came 
with his family to California in 1840. They 
went first to the San Gabriel mission, Los 
Angeles, where they lived one year. San 
Luis Obispo was their next home, and for 
twelve years they resided there. Mr. Her- 
rera, Sr., kept a saloon in the place, which, 
as can well be imagined, was very primitive. 
Dolores assisted his father, and at various 
times was employed in ranch work near the 
mission. In 1853 he came to the San Jose 
Valley and settled where he is to-day, on a 
valuable property 400 acres in extent, 
through which the Salinas River winds, and 
also the Torro Creek. Here Mr. Herrera is 
engaged in farming and fruit-raising. An 
interesting feature of the place to a visitor is 
an enormous rock that rises out of the ground 
near the house. Thirty feet is a moderate 
estimate of its height on one side, and it is 
so conveniently situated that it forms the 
rear of one of the barns. A novel sight, 
indeed ! 

Mr. Herrera has been married three times, 
and has four children now living, allot' whom 
are prominently identified with the interests 
of the San Jose Valley. 

The subject of this sketch has an excellent 
memory, and, coming into this county as he 
did, early in its history, he relates some very 
interesting observations. When he first 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



387 



came to San Luis Obispo there were just two 
white people in the mission and about thirty 
Indians. The place was very desolate, and 
for a time there was little, if any, progress 
made in the development of the town. In 
San Jose Valley wild animals were plenty. 
Bears, wolves and lions were around stealing 
his pigs every day. Native Americans were 
few. Mr. Herrera relates that the creek 
which now is of great value to his property, 
was absolutely not to be seen when he first 
settled on his place, a fact to be accounted 
for only by the discovery and development 
of the mountain spring in 1862. 



-&-*h 



fOHN SIMPSON was born in Concord, 
New Hampshire, September 17, 1843, 
son of James and Eliza (Grant) Simp- 
son. His father was born in Philadelphia, 
in 1808, his ancestors being natives of Mas- 
sachusetts; and his mother was born in New 
Hampshire, in 1812. Her parents were also 
natives of the Granite State, and her father 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 
John Simpson was the second of a family of 
four children. He was educated in Lowell, 
Massachusetts, after which he served an ap- 
prenticeship in his uncle John Simpson'6 
machine shop. 

When the call for volunteers resounded 
through the land, in 1861, he enlisted in 
Company K, Fifty-seventh Regiment, Illinois 
Infantry, and was in the service two years 
and a half. He participated in all the battles 
of the Army of the Tennessee, under Gen- 
eral Grant and General Sherman, until the 
battle of Shiloh, where his regiment suffered 
heavily. Of the 520 who went into that 
engagement, 285 were lost. Mr. Simpson 
was wounded in the knee with a musket ball, 
and was crippled for six weeks. After he 



was wounded the army was driven back, he 
was captured on the field and was a prisoner 
four months in the South, at Mobile and 
Cahaba, Alabama, and at Macon, Georgia. 
"While engaged with his regiment, support- 
ing a battery, both the drums of his ears 
were so injured that he is quite deaf. After 
his exchange he served nearly a year on de- 
tailed duty, on account of his deafness. He 
was finally discharged for disability, and has 
since been in the railroad business. He 
learned telegraphy, and was in the employ 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Cen- 
tral Pacific and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul. 

In 1877 he came to California and served 
as agent at Davisville, Yolo County, until 
1884. In 1887 he came to Ventura and ac- 
cepted the position of railroad agent, which 
he now fills. 

Mr. Simpson was married in 1878, to Miss 
Lillie Pierce, a native of St. Louis, and 
daughter of Dr. T. B. Pierce, a dentist, of 
San Francisco. They have three children 
living: Arthur B. and George, born in 
Davisville; and Florence D., in Ventura. 

Mr. Simpson is a worthy member of the 
G. A. R., of Ventura, and also of the 
Masonic fraternity. 

.» .i? . 3h; .?i.«. 




TLLIAM BARKER, of Lompoc, was 
born in Santa Clara County, Cali- 
fornia, in 1857. His father was a 
farmer, having 160 acres of land, and carry- 
ing on general farming. William was edu- 
cated at San Jose and Salinas, Monterey 
County, when, in 1868, his father moved and 
bought 849 acres of land and carried on farm- 
ing more extensively. In 1873 William 
learned the photographic business, but in 
1874 returned to the ranch, and remained 



388 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



until the fall of 1879, when he went to Chico 
to engage in mining. In July, 1881, he re- 
turned to San Jose, remaining until October, 
1882, when he came to Lompoc; he bought 
forty acres of land and engaged in the nurs- 
ery business. Selling out in 1885, he rented 
land until the spring of 1890, when he gave 
up the business, and on June 1, 1890, opened 
his present business, on H Street, consisting 
of fruits, cigars, nuts and candies. 

He was married at San Jose, in 1876, to 
Miss Margarette E. Mcllvain, a native of 
California. They have four children. Mr. 
Barker is a member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 
248, I. O. O. F., and of Najoqui Parlor, No. 
129, Native Sons of the Golden West. 

"■■■ «" «"£ « -3ni » | 

T. TRUITT,the present Supervisor for 
Santa Barbara County, from the Lom- 
9 poc District, was born in Salisbury, 
Worcester County, Maryland, in 1835. His 
father was a farmer, and in 1851 emigrated 
to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he bought 
a small farm. The subject of this sketch was 
educated at Mount Pleasant, Henry County, 
at the Iowa Wesleyan University, at which 
he graduated in 1861. He came to Califor- 
nia across the plains in 1862, driving an ox 
team. They came by Sublette's Cut-off and 
down the Humboldt River, and arrived at 
Sacramento in the fall, after a six months' 
journey. He taught school in Yolo and 
Solano counties about one year, and in 1863- 
'64-'65 was employed by the United States 
Sanitary Commission, in collecting funds and 
supplies for the sick and disabled soldiers, 
working under O. C. Wheeler, of San Fran- 
cisco. He was then employed by Bancroft 
& Co. in selling books until 1886, when he 
went East, by Panama, and returned to his 
home. He taught school in Schuyler County, 



Missouri, and in 1870 was elected County 
Clerk for a term of four years. He was then 
elected Superintendent of Schools for Schuy- 
ler County for two years. He was then 
cashier for the C. H. Howell Bank at Glen- 
wood, Missouri, until the summer of 1877, 
when he came to Lompoc, arriving in August; 
he had land purchased for him before his 
arrival. He has since added to his first pur- 
chase 350 acres, about seventy-five of which 
is tillable, the balance being grazing land. 
He then built his present residence, known 
as the Mountain Home, doing most of the 
work himself; it was get in the midst of 
brush and timber, which has since been 
cleared away and improved, making a shel- 
tered and comfortable home. He has about 
fifteen acres in deciduous fruits, apples being 
the main crop, which is doing especially 
well; also raises beans and English mustard. 
Mr. Truitt was elected Supervisor from the 
Fourth District, in the fall of 1883, and was 
re-elected in 1887, which proves him to be 
an efficient and acceptable officer. He was 
married in Schuyler County, Missouri, in 
1868, to Miss Mary A. Saunders, a native of 
Iowa; they have four children, three daugh- 
ters and one son. Mr. Truitt is a member of 
Lompoc Lodge, No. 262, F. & A. M., and of 
the Methodist Church of Lompoc. 



°*"""*VtT" It *l » iC' " 1 -*"*- 



f[ R. TUTT, proprietor of the hand- 
some and spacious hardware store of 
t° Lompoc, was born in South Bend, In- 
diana, in 1864. He was educated at the 
Notre Dame College, at South Bend, but 
left college in 1879 and went to Chicago to 
learn the tinning and plumbing trade with 
Craigon Bros. & Co. He was employed by 
this firm for eighteen months, but worked in 
the city until 1884, when he came to Cali- 



AND V EN 1 LIRA COUNTIES. 



889 



fornia, first to San Francisco, where he 
worked at his trade, and then to Ukiah, 
Mendocino County, where he worked for a 
while. At the end of this time he started 
in business, continuing until 1886, when he 
was burned out, and having no insurance, 
lost everything. Mr. Tutt then came to San 
Luis Obispo, and after a short time again 
started a shop, which he continued until 
1888. when he sold out and went to Tulare 
City and bought property, but the climate 
being too hot he did not settle there, and he 
came to Lompoc in the fall of 1888. He at 
once located by buying city property and 
erecting his spacious store building, 25 x 140, 
which serves as a ware-room and shop, where 
he carries a full line of hardware, paints, oils 
and agricultural implements. Mr. Tutt is 
also connected with A. L. Hanck and Win. 
Cantley in the lumber firm of E. R. Tutt & 
Co., which was established in 1889. They 
have a steam saw-mill, and also suitable 
machinery for jointing and moulding. 

Mr. Tutt was married in San Luis Obispo, 
in 1887, to Miss Emma Adams, a native of 
Oregon, and daughter of Judge Adams, of 
San Luis. Mr. Tutt is now erecting a hand- 
some residence on H street. He is a mem- 
ber of Park Lodge, No. 40, K. of P., at San 
Luis Obispo. 




5ARIANO LAZCANO, a brother of 
Bernardo Lazcano, was born in Mex- 
^S^* ico in 1825. Receiving a good edu- 
cation when a boy, he was placed in a store 
at the age of eleven years, and remained be- 
hind the counter thirteen years. In 1849, at 
the age of twenty-four, Mr. Lazcano came to 
California, and ; fter spending six months in 
the mines came to San Luis Obispo, which 
place he reached in September of that year. 



Mariano preceded his brother by a few months, 
and, upon his arrival, they jointly engaged in 
business, conducting for nine years a general 
merchandise store. Their place of business 
was opposite the Mission building, in the 
French Hotel which they built. Theirs was 
the second store in the place: in fact there 
were only two altogether then, Pollard & 
Beebee having the other. Mr. Lazcano came 
to San Jose Valley in 1858. He first en- 
gaged in cattle-raising, building a home across 
the creek which runs through the valley. 
In 1864 was the disastrous dry year, and he 
lost so many cattle that he became greatly 
discouraged, and turned his attention to the 
raising of sheep. All went well until 1877, 
which proved to be a terrible year for them. 
However, Mr. Lazcano has been very ener- 
getic and industrious, and has prospered. It 
was in 1864 that the brothers came into pos- 
session of the fine property (1,440 acres), 
which they owned up to a recent date, when 
they sold a small tract. 

Mr. Lazcano was married in 1855 to Ser- 
bula Ybarra. They are the parents of two 
sons and one daughter. Their splendid adobe 
residence was built in 1858. It was partial- 
ly destroyed by fire in 1862, but the walls, 
two to three feet in thickness, were left un- 
harmed, and the entire structure has been 
restored. Beautifully situated, the house and 
grounds are an attractive feature of the valley. 
In front of the house and extending above the 
entire front yard, is a line grape-vine, afford- 
ing excellent shale from the sun during thj 
hot summer months, and in season hearing 
good fruit. This vine is exactly twenty-one 
years old, the age of Miss Mariana Lazcano, 
their only daughter. On entering this home 
the visitor is quickly impressed by the court- 
esy, cordiality and genuine hospitality for 
which Mr. Lazcano and his family are distin- 
guished. The home is comfortably and sub- 



390 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



stantially furnished. A piece of furniture 
rarely seen in the country in California, and 
of which there are none of finer quality in 
the city of San Luis Obispo, is' the upright 
piano which occupies a conspicuous place in 
their parlor. Miss Lazcano is both an ac- 
complished singer and pianist. 

The subject of this sketch is busily en- 
gaged in the management of his ranch and 
expects to spend the residue of his life in 
this charming valley, of which he has now. 
been a resident for over thirty years. A man 
closely identified with the early history of 
San Luis Obispo, prominent and alert in all 
matters affecting the locality where he now 
lives, this brief sketch forms a very important 
chapter in the history of San Luis Obispo 
County. 

»o< nay *3l * S *ar " ' 



^LONZO LAZCANO, son of Mariano 
> Lazcano, was born in San Luis Obispo, 
May 28, 1860. At the age of twelve 
years he came with bis father to Pozo in the 
San Jose Valley. For four years he was em- 
ployed as a clerk in the general merchandise 
btore of Peter Agnellini, an Italian. During 
that period he gained a thorough knowledge 
of business life and habits. In 1884 Mr. 
Agnellini died, and Lazcano & Mancilla suc- 
ceeeded to the business. Mention of Mr. 
Mancilla's life appears elsewhere in this 
work. In 1888 the firm dissolved, Mr. Laz- 
cano continuing alone at the old stand. He 
doe* a general merchandise business and 
keeps a fine assortment of every thing needed 
in an ordinary life-time. He has also been 
Postmaster there since November 15, 1888. 

Mr. Lazcano was married April 30, 1886, 
to Helen Herrera, daughter of Dolores Her- 
rera, one of the pioneers of the valley. A 




sketch of his life will be found on another 
page of this work. 

A fact worthy of publication and of very 
wide circulation is, that in an experience of 
ten years in the retailing of liquor at the 
bar and tobacco business (an important de- 
partment of every general store), Mr. Laz- 
cano has never smoked nor drank any 
intoxicating liquor, neither has he gambled. 
This is a record of which any one in these 
times may well be proud. 

— «^m|*>i^^-w 

A. SAUNDERS, proprietor of a liv- 
ery stable in Lompoc, was born in 
° Birmingham, Yan Buren County, 
Iowa, in 1850. His father was a cabinet- 
maker, and moved to Scotland County, Mis- 
souri, in 1858. W. A. Saunders began work 
in early life with his father and remained at 
home until twenty-one years of age, when he 
began farming on his own account, and in 
1874 came to California. He passed two 
years in the redwoods of Santa Cruz County, 
and returned home in March, 1876, with the 
intention of remaining, not enjoying the cli- 
mate of Missouri. He passed two months 
at home, and then returned to California, 
bringing his father with him. His father 
soon returned to Missouri and brought out 
his family to Lompoc, where he died in No- 
vember, 1889, at the age of seventy-three 
years. The subject of this sketch came to 
Lompoc in the fall of 1876, and worked 
about one year. He then rented a stock 
ranch of 1,000 acres at La Honda, and began 
raising cattle, keeping about 300 head. He 
sold out in 1879 and returned to the Lompoc 
Valley, purchasing forty acres and renting 
300 acres adjoining, where he farmed until 
1885. He started the livery business at the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



391 



-• Fashion Stables," under the firm name of 
Saunders & Calhoon. They bought 75 x 140 
feet on Ocean avenue, and erected their large 
stable. In the fall of 1887 Calhoon sold his 
interest to James Rennie, and the firm of 
Saunders & Rennie has since continued. 
They keep twenty head of horses, and light 
and heavy wagons suitable for the trade. 

Mr. Saunders was married at Lompoc, in 
1885, to Miss Ellen Rnffner, a native of 
Santa Cruz County; two children have 
blessed this union. Mr. Saunders is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias. 

-—' -^M^« ■ 

kERNARDO LAZCANO was born in 
Mexico in 1820. At the age of twenty- 
six he came to California, and direct to 
the city of San Luis Obispo. With his 
brother Mariano, who had preceded him to 
this State, he built the small French Hotel 
opposite the mission building, the third 
house erected in the town, and conducted a 
store in it, under the firm name of Lazcano- 
Brothers. For eight years they continued in 
business here, and there were no more 
familiar figures about town than the Lazcano 
brothers. In 1858 the subject of this sketch 
settled in the San Jose Valiey, and was one 
of the first arrivals in this rich and fertile 
spot. He at once turned his attention to 
stock-raising. Every thing in this valley 
was then in a wild and uncultivated state. 
Bears, deer and wolves were plentiful and 
also very bold. Mr. Lazcano relates that 
many a time did these animals visit tho 
kitchen of his house, if, indeed, on the way 
they were unable to capture any beeves. 
Bear were very plentiful and also exceedingly 
troublesome in those times to the cattle- 
raiser. Mr. Lazcano and one of his ranchmen 
found fourteen wolves in a gang one day. 



They had their dogs with them, but discreetly 
made up their minds not to provoke attack. 
Later on the dogs and wolves attacked each 
other, but were finally separated without 
serious loss. The dogs used to track many 
deer in this valley and on one occasion killed 
two within an hour's time. A magnificent 
hunting ground, that! To-day any one can 
go back in the hills and mountains and cap- 
ture a deer without much trouble, and if still 
more ambitious he can find the California 
mountain lion. Mr. Lazcano's ranch in the 
San Jose Valley originally contained 1,440 
acres. He has since disposed of all but 860 
acres. His residence is an old adobe one, 
built in the year 1857. 

Mr. Lazcano was County Treasurer in 
1874. He is a man universally popular, as is 
shown in the result of this election. All the 
voting then in this part of the county was 
done at Santa Margarita, eighteen miles dis- 
tant. All the voters from San Jose Valley 
and surrounding country had to be trans- 
ported to this place, and Mr. Lazcano's 
friends all reached the polls throuo-h his 
efforts and expense. His political career is 
strictly Republican, and he never has re- 
ceived any funds to work and carry on cam- 
paigns. He has always worked at his own 
expense, from Lincoln's administration to 
date. 

He has never married. 



l|*fl ILUAM T - I'IPPIN was bom in 
^*V'vi§ M> ssoul "'i i" 1855, and came to San 
C-tjpH Luis Obispo County, California, 
.June 30, 1870. He first located in Morro, 
where he was engaged in ranching witli his 
step-father for three years. At the end of that 
time he accompanied his parents to Arizona, 
the family making the trip by wagon. After 



392 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJSf LUIS OBISPO 



remaining there for six months he returned 
to California, located at Chorro and engaged 
in dairying, renting a dairy of Mr. Lowry, of 
that place. After being thus engaged for 
one year, he was employed on a ranch, for 
wages. In 1876 he stocked a ranch, of which 
he was foreman, with 100 cows, and ran a 
dairy for six months, meeting with good suc- 
cess. At this time Mr. Pippin decided to 
make a prospecting trip in the north. De- 
cember 17, 1879, he came to the San Jose 
Valley, rented a place of Captain Fletcher, 
and subsequently purchased the ranch, 
which contains 167 acres and which he 
now occupies. This property is located in 
the beautiful San Jose Yalley, a mile and 
three-quarters from Fozo. Here Mr. Pippin 
is engaged in dairying, being very successful 
and receiving good prices for his product, 
which he markets with great care. He states 
that off of twelve cows (Devon) he has mar- 
keted one ton of butter, from September 1 to 
June 1, which is, indeed, a remarkable show- 
ing. Mr. Pippin also raises some fine fruit, 
the soil of the San Jose Yalley being espe- 
cially celebrated for this. As a health resort, 
Mr. Pippin speaks in the highest terms of 
the San Jose Yalley. Since his residence 
here he has never had occasion to call a phy- 
sician to his home. 

The subject of this sketch was married, 
January 27, 1880, to Miss Lizzie L. Epperly. 
They have an adopted child. 



"*°*~"**fe" 3* * S IP ~S^'' 



EROME BROTHERS, proprietors of a 
blacksmith shop and also agents for all 
kinds of agricultural implements in 
Lompoc. The firm is composed of A. P. and 
George E. DeRome. A. P. DeRome was 
born in Chicago, in 1856; his father was a 
cabinet-maker. In 1858 he moved his family 



to California, coming by water and the Isth- 
mus of Panama. They settled in San Fran- 
cisco, where A. P. was educated, and at the 
age of fifteen years began learning his trade 
of blacksmith at Kimball's manufactory, 
where he remained three years. He then 
passed two and a half years in Oakland, and 
in the fall of 1876 he went to Cayucos, San 
Luis Obispo County, and there opened a shop 
and remained twelve years in general black- 
smith work. He sold out and in the spring 
of 1888 came to Lompoc. 

George E. DeRome was born in San' Fran- 
cisco, in 1862, and also learned his trade at 
Kimball's manufactory, where he remained 
three years. He then joined his brother at 
Cayucos, working for wages until his brother 
sold out to go to Lompoc. In the spring of 
1889 the present partnership was formed. 
They bought 50 x 140 feet of land on the 
corner of Ocean avenue and G street, and 
there erected their present spacious building, 
50 x 60 feet. They carry on all the branches of 
blacksmithing, and are also agents for all 
kinds of agricultural implements. A. P. 
DeRome was married in 1884, to Miss Fanny 
Henning, a native of California. Four 
children have blessed this union, only three 
of whom survive. 



SnJ-*" 



I 



?SAAC J. SPARKS, deceased, was born 
in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, about 
^ year 1800, and was one of the great 
land-owners, and an early pioneer of this 
section of the State. His father fought in 
the war of 1812, and after its close moved 
his family to Ohio, and soon afterward to 
Saint Louis, Missouri, where he engaged in 
farming; he also died at this place. After 
his father's death our subject was obliged to 
take charge of the plantation. He had in- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



333 



tended to become a doctor, but had to give 
up the idea on account of ill health. He was 
troubled with dyspepsia, and frequently went 
to the mountains for relief, and it was on one 
of these expeditions that Mr. Sparks met a 
party that was bound for the far West. Fran- 
cis Z. Branch, elsewhere sketched in this 
work, and Oldman Yount, an old pioneer, 
were members of the party, he had no 
intentions of joining this party, but never- 
theless was induced to do so, and he iirst 
settled at Los Angeles, California, in the 
early part of the year 1832, and a year later 
in Santa Barbara. Here Mr. Sparks followed 
Otter hunting, at which business he was very 
successful, being an excellent shot. He ac- 
quired large tacts of land, owning seven 
large ranches in Santa Barbara County, and 
the HGabiia and Pismo ranches in San Luis 
Obispo County, at one time. The Huasna 
propei ty, five leagues, now in possession of 
the daughters, was the smallest one. These 
large tracts were granted to Mr. Sparks by 
the Mexican government, chiefly as a pro- 
tection against the Indians, the government 
freely giving the land if a settler could then 
be induced to occupy it, and thus in a meas- 
ure keep off the hostile redskins. He was 
a resident of Santa Barbara when Fremont 
was there, and the General was very anxious 
that he should take up arms against the 
Mexicans, which he declined to do. He how- 
ever aided Fremont in many ways, giving him 
provisions, clothing, horses, etc., to the value 
of $20,000 or more, for which he never re- 
ceived a cent in return. Mr. Sparks built 
and conducted the only store in Santa Bar- 
bara for some time, and also built the first 
brick house in the town, a relic of which 
now remains. He was a man tall and slim, 
but with a well formed frame, and had aline 
commanding presence. His death occurred 
June 16, 1807. 

25 



He was married in Santa Barbara, to Miss 
Mary Ayers, a lady of Scotch descent, now liv- 
ing in that city, strong and hearty at the age of 
seventy-eight years. They had three children, 
— Flora, Rosa and Sallie, who are now Mrs. 
Captain Harloe, of San Luis Obispo; Mr?. 
Arza Porter, of the same place; and Mrs. 
Harkness of Santa Barbara. 



E. BATTLES, whose fine ranch of 320 
acres is attractively located on the 
"^l mesa east of town, was born in Erie 
County, Pennsylvania, in 1848. His father 
was a farmer, and in early life our subject 
moved to Illinois, where he continued farm- 
ing until 1855; then he moved to the town 
of Ipava, Fulton County, where he engaged 
in the blacksmithing business until 1800; 
then he engaged in a grocery until 1864, 
when he and his son again pushed West 
to California, crossing the plains with horse 
teams. They settled in Sacramento Valley, 
where they were engaged in farming until 
1868, when they came to the Santa Maria 
Valley and took up 160 acres where Mr. 
Battles' father still resides, at the age of sev- 
enty-four years. The subject of this sketch 
lived at home until 1872, when he began 
farming on 160 acres, which he had pre- 
empted in 1868. About the year 1876 he 
sold out, and purchased his present fine ranch 
of 320 acres on the mesa, where he farms 
principally in grain. He has 160 acres of 
land near the town of Garey, which is de- 
voted to stock for grazing. He also plants 
twenty acres in corn, and twenty-five acres in 
beans, and a small acreage to other summer 
crops. lie averages about 300 hogs, which 
he fattens for market. 

Mr. Battles was married in Santa Maria, 
in 1884, to Miss Mary E. Minor, and they 



394 



SANTA BABBABA, 8AJV LUIS OBISPO 



have two children: Rollin Eugene and My- 
ron H. 



-•g*** 



(4 41 » ° « 



(APTAIN MARCUS HARLOE is a na- 



tive of Ireland, born March 17, 1833. 
'^i His mother was a Scotch ship-master's 
daughter of Campbelltown, Argyleshire, and 
his father's ancestors were both Irish and 
English. Both are now deceased. Much of 
Captain Harloe's boyhood was spent in Ire- 
land and Scotland, where he attended school. 
Early in life he evinced a strong desire for 
the sea, and in 1847 came to America. The 
next three years were spent on the sea, and 
in 1850 he came to California. With head- 
quarters at San Francisco, for twenty years 
and mure Captain Harloe has led a seafaring 
life on the Pacific, and more especially on 
the California coast. He has risen from the 
lowest and humblest position in the marine 
service to some of the most important in the 
gift of the Government. From 1862 to 1875 
he was Captain of many of the steamers sail- 
ing between San Francisco and San Diego, 
and from San Francisco north to Portland. 
He was also engaged as commanding officer 
with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company 
for a time. Captain Harloe was Harbor- 
master at San Francisco for two years, 1865 
to 1867, and in 1880 was appointed chief 
wharfinger, which includes the office of har- 
bor-master, and served a term of four years, 
it being a political office and an appointment 
of some significance. 

In 1866 the Captain married Miss Flora 
Sparks, the eldest daughter of Isaac J. 
Sparks, of Santa Barbara, by whom he has 
had seven children, two daughters and five 
sons. 

Since 1875 the Captain and Mrs. Harloe 
have made their home in the Huasna Valley. 



Their ranch, consisting of two square leagues 
of land, is a part of the original Sparks 
grant. The Captain is engaged in farming, 
cattle-raising and dairying on this property, 
much of which is rented out. To the 
stranger, driving through this valley for the 
first time, the country appears like one huge 
park, so beautiful aie the trees, hills and 
landscape. The Harloe home is built of 
adobe and is situated on a knoll, one mile 
from the Huasna postoffice. ' The house is 
an old one and was rebuilt and enlarged in 
1868. Isolated as the house seems to be 
from the adjacent towns, one is quite im- 
pressed with the luxuries and comfortable 
appointments which greet the visitor as he 
enter:?. One noticeable feature of this at- 
tractive home is a splendidly equipped libra- 
ry, the property of Mrs. Sparks. Another 
is a fine Steinway piano. Since coming to 
the Huasna Valley, Captain Harloe has not 
entirely given up his sea life. He was for 
two years commander of the Santa Maria. 
During his residence in this place he has 
served as Supervisor for the Arroyo Grande 
District two years, 1876-1877. September 1, 
1890, he was nominated for the Assembly by 
the Republican county convention. 

An exceedingly popular man, Captain 
Harloe is held in the highest esteem by all 
who know him. As a ship-master, he won 
the respect, confidence and good will of all 
who traveled with him. 



fOHN HOUK, one of the progressive 
ranchers of the Santa Maria Valley, was 
born in Germany, in 1852; his father 
was a nail- maker by trade. Labor being 
poorly paid, Mr. Houk emigrated to the 
United States with his family in 1855, going 
first to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



395 



farming. At the age <>f thirteen years our 
subject began his self-support. He went to 
Missouri and worked for two years on a ranch, 
then to Texas, where he followed the beef 
trade for two years, and then returned home, 
where he resided until 1874, when he came 
to California. After spending the winter at 
Sacramento he traveled north through Oregon 
and Washington Territory, but returned to 
Sacramento, where he worked at harvesting 
and in logging camps until the fall of 1876. 
He then came to Santa Maria and took up 
eighty acres in La Gracia country, remaining 
until the fall of 1880, when he sold out and 
bought 320 acres of the Suez school district. 
Mr. Houk has his ranch well fenced and im- 
proved. He raised principally grain until 
1888, and now carries on general farming, 
with a small dairy of twenty cows. He is 
improving his stock by crossing with full- 
blood Holstein, owning some fine animals, 
and forty fine Berkshire hogs. 

Mr. Houk was married at Sacramento, in 
1875, to Miss Angelina Howerton, and they 
have eight children. 



•*wf« 



fOSEPH RUFFNER, one of the stanch 
and sterling citizens of Lompoc, was 
born at Luray, Page County, Virginia, 
in 1819. His father was an extensive farmer. 
Facilities for education were limited in those 
early days, but Joseph received the best that 
could be obtained from the old loir school- 
house. In 1842 he went to West Virginia, part 
of the way by stage. Afterward he made a 
trip to Missouri, and returning to Virginia he 
followed farming until 1845, and in Kanawha 
County he was then superintendent of a salt 
furnace, in the manufacture of salt, until 
1852. He then started for California by 
Major Amesby's covered wagon train, paying 



$200 for his passage from St. Louis to Sacra- 
mento, and being about four months on the 
journey. There were twenty passengers, but 
the^ were all amply fed, and, excepting one 
death from mountain fever, they came 
through without accident. At Sacramento 
Mr. Ruffner entered the stock business, buy- 
ing for market, and at the close of the first 
week he had neither made or lost, and he gave 
up the business. In 1852 he bought a team 
of horses, drove to Santa Cruz, and there 
rented land and farmed for two years. He 
then bought 150 acres of land near the coast 
where he made his home up to 1879, carry- 
ing on general farming. He was one of the 
original stockholders of the Lompoc Colony, 
and attended the first sale, purchasing eiohty 
acres, which he sold later. In 1879 he closed 
his interest at Santa Cruz and came to Lom- 
poc to reside. Mr. Ruffner rented the 
Thomas Wick's ranch of 250 acres, which was 
sold to Captain Sudden, in 1882, but Mr. 
Ruffner has continued on the ranch up to 
date (1890) and carries on general farming 
in barley, beans, mustard and potatoes, and 
also raises some horses. All of the ranch is 
under cultivation. In 1887 Mr. Ruffner 
made his first trip East, visiting his own 
home, going as far as Philadelphia. In 1887 
he bought 123 acres of valley aud grazing 
land, south of town, where his son now 
resides. He has seen some wonderful changes 
in the valley. When he arrived the question 
was, " What can we raise ? " Nature herself 
has answered by giving abundant harvests 
from any seed which are committed to her 
productive influences. Mr. Ruffner thinks 
California the best State in the Union. 

He was married at Santa Cruz, in 1855, to 
Miss Elizabeth Williams, a native of New 
York State. Four children have blessed 
the union, two sons and two daughters, all of 
whom are married and living in the valley. 



890 



SANTA BARB ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Mrs. Ruffner died in 1886, at the age of 
sixty-six years. 



T. WILEY, one of the first locators of 
the Santa Maria Valley, was born in 
° Autauga County, Alabama, in 1825. 
He was brought up on a farm, and at the age 
of fifteen years he went to Mississippi, where 
he was engaged in farming until 1847, when 
he enlisted for the Mexican war, in the Second 
Mississippi Regiment, under Colonel Reuben 
Davis. Their service was on Taylor'* line, 
through Monterey and to Buena Vista, 
Mexico, but not being in time for the battle 
they were not in actual service, and were 
mustered out at Vicksburg, in July, 1848. 
Mr. Wiley returned to his home, and then to 
Greensborough, Mississippi, where he was 
engaged in farming until March, 1849, when 
he started for California. He drove five yoke 
of oxen across the plains, landing at Hang- 
town, now Placerville, in October, 1849, 
where he began mining, and continued for 
eight years. In 1857 he went to Amador 
County and began farming. He was married 
at Santa Cruz, in Jnne, 1859, to Miss Minerva 
Clark, and they continued on the farm in 
Amador County until the fall of 1862, when 
they went to Santa Cruz County, and there 
located. A grant covered their ranch, and in 
1864 they went to Mendocino County,-and 
continued farming in different counties until 
1868, when, having lost his wife, he took up 
land in the Santa Maria Valley, being the 
iirst man to locate. His land, of 160 acres, 
was a half-mile north of town; he built a little 
cabin and dug the first well, sixty-five feet 
deep without curbing, now considered a peril- 
ous proceeding. After two years he traded 
for other property, and in 1878 sold out and 
located his present ranch in Strawberry 



Canon, southeast of town, and began improv- 
ing by clearing off brush, fencing and build- 
ing. He owns 320 acres, and carried on 
general farming. He has fifteen acres in 
fruit, and a fine garden with raspberries and 
strawberries every month in the year without 
irrigating. Corn is his principal crop, of 
which he plants about forty acres; he also 
keeps fifteen head of horses and cattle. 

Mr. Wiley was again married at San Luis 
Obispo, in 1875, to Mrs. Abigail Bryant, 
and they have three sons. Mr. Wiley is 
particular that his children shall receive every 
benefit of an education. 



fOHN M. WILKINSON, a native of 
Missouri, was born March 2, 1837; was 
reared on a farm, attending school a 
part of the time, until seventeen years of age. 
In 1854 he came to California, crossing the 
plains with an ox team. He first settled in 
Butte County and spent some time in the 
mines. In the spring of 1855 he went to 
Napa County and for eight years was en- 
gaged in farming. Mr. Wilkinson relates 
that these days were the most prosperous 
ones of his life — he made money and made 
it fast. 

Mr. Wilkinson was married in the fall of 
1861 to Miss Wallace, of Napa County, by 
whom he had six children, only four of whom 
are living at present. In 1879 he was mar- 
ried a second time to Miss Hettie Stubble- 
field, of Santa Barbara, and by this marriage 
has had five children. 

During 1863 and 1864 Mr. Wilkinson 
passed through a period of misfortunes, los- 
ing all the money he had ever made. This 
was in Washoe City, Nevada, where he was 
engaged in teaming and speculating in min- 
ing stock. Leaving this locality as soon as 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



397 



he could, he engaged in farming in Butte and 
Sonoma counties for six years, and in 1870 
came to San Luis Obispo County. In 1875 
he went to Santa Barbara County and set- 
tled on a ranch near Santa Maria, and for 
nine years lived there and did well. In 1884 
he came to the Huasna Valley, where he has 
ever since resided. Mr. Wilkinson is en- 
gaged in fruit-raising and farming on his 
ranch of 160 acres. Like all the soil in this 
valley, it is rich and productive. Mr. Wil- 
kinson has been particularly successful in 
raising grapes. He grows the Muscatel 
raisin grapes in large quantities and of ex- 
cellent quality. The section of the Huasna 
Valley in which this property is located has 
been cultivated only in recent years. When 
Mr. Wilkinson came here in 1884 his ranch 
was one brush thicket, and now anything 
can be raised on it. Watermelons weighing 
from thirty to fifty pounds each are often 
picked from his vines, and one weighing 
sixty-five pounds was once grown, and is his 
best exhibit so far. To complete this illus- 
tration of the wonderful fertility of the soil 
in the Huasna Valley, Mr. Wilkinson has 
picked melons from his vines on Christmas 
Day, and has had them on his table for din- 
ner. To people outside of the State of Cali- 
fornia, this story will appear quite impossible 
to believe, and perhaps to many in the State, 
but to the neighbors of Mr. Wilkinson it is 
.,n assured fact. 



-■ " «0» M^» • ^f ^ * < |«t i 40* - — 

A. EVANS, a rancher of Lompoc, 
was born in Putnam Couty, Indi- 
1° ana, in 1834. In 1854 his father 
moved to Madison County, Iowa, being 
among the pioneers of that section. The 
subject of this sketch remained at home un- 
til 1857, when he came to California, by 




steamer from New York, crossing the Isth- 
mus of Panama. From San Francisco he 
went to Oroville, Butte County, where he 
passed two years in a lumber camp. In 
1859 he came to Gilroy, Santa Clara Valley, 
and worked in the redwoods, hauling and 
getting out lumber, remaining until 1862, 
when he went to the Powder River Mines, in 
Oregon, and worked one year. He then 
went to Boise City, Idaho, and was connected 
with mining interests until 1866, when he 
returned to San Jose and was connected with 
ranching at Gilroy and Castroville. In 1880 
Mr. Evans came to Lompoc and bought 
eighty acres of land and has since devoted 
himself to the cultivation of beans, mustard 
and general farming. He has a small or- 
chard sufficient for family use. 

Mr. Evans was married at San Jose in 
1869, to Miss Hannah Higginbotham, of 
Cheshire, England. They have one son, 
Oliver Samuel Evans, born in March, 1872. 



ATL1AN BROOKS SMITH, is a native 
of the State of Massachusetts, born in 
Concord, January 17, 1850. He is the 
son of Joseph A. Smith, who was born in 
Concord in 1818, and still resides there, en- 
gaged in farming; He is a lineal descendant 
of Paul Revere, the hero of Revolutionary 
days. Mr. Smith's mother, Rebecca (Brooks) 
Smith, was born in Acton, a town adjoining 
Concord. She came of Puritan stock. Her 
father, Nathan Brooks, was a farmer, and her 
grandfather, Seth Brooks, was a Sergeant in 
the Acton " Minute Men," and was in the 
"Concord Fight" of 1775. There were six 
children in the family, the subject of this 
sketch being the oldest. He received his 
education in the institutions of learning in 
his native city; and afterward engaged in 



398 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



railroading in Kansas and Nebraska. Then 
he was hook-keeper for Mr. Josiah Quincy, 
in Boston. Later, he went to Concord, 
bought a farm and engaged in general farm- 
ing. That property he sold before coming to 
California. Upon his arrival on this coast, 
he located in Ventura County and engaged 
in sheep-raising, which proved a paying busi- 
ness. They had as many as 7,000 sheep at 
one time. This business he closed out, and, 
in 1882, with his partner, purchased his 
present fine fruit ranch of forty-five acres, on 
Ventura avenue. It is planted principally 
to walnuts, apricots, prunes and apples, but 
he also has a variety of other fruits. They 
are farming a large tract to wheat and barley, 
4,000 acres being devoted to the cultivation 
of these crops, the yield being correspond- 
ingly large. 

Mr. Smith, in 1875, married Miss Agnes 
E. Tolman, a native of Concord, daughter of 
Benjamin Tolman, also a native of that city, 
and the owner of a large printing house. 
They have one son, Allen Tolman Smith, born 
in Concord in 1880. Mr. Smith is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he 
is independent. 

"*~"%« 3» *l » I" 1 -**—- 

W. MAULSBY, of Santa Maria, was 
born in "Wayne County, Indiana, in 
P'^ October, 1856, and moved to Dallas 
County, Iowa, in 1858, where his father en- 
gaged in farming. He was educated in the 
high schools, and at Tabor College in Fre- 
mont County, Iowa, after which he studied 
medicine two years. In 1878 he was married 
at Perry, Iowa, to Miss Linda E. Beeson, and 
in 1881 be went to Colorado and engaged in 
mining; he did the assessment work on the 
great Iron King Silver Mine without realiz- 
ing a substantial benefit. In 1882 he came 




to Santa Maria, California, where he started 
a boot and shoe store; this he exchanged 
the following year for a farm, which he man- 
aged one year, then rented it and moved to 
Los Angeles, but returned to Santa Maria 
again in 1886 and engaged in the real-estate 
business. In 1887, associated with S. J. 
Jones, they bought sixty acres southeast of 
town, which they improved under the name 
of Olive Hill Orchard and Nursery. 

Mr. Maulsby has bred some fine trotting 
stock which he is now having trained; he is a 
member of the County Board of Horticultural 
Commissioners for Santa Barbara County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Maulsby have two children, 
Luln A. and Flora B. 

Mr. Maulsby is a member of Hesperian 
Lodge, No. 264, F. & A. M. 

— •"HhsuHK*. — 

§F. McCLURE, a rancher of Lompoc and 
one of the early settlers, was born in 
a Caledonia County, Vermont, in 1844. 
Until 1866 he lived at home, and assisted his 
father on the farm. He was educated in 
Caledonia County and attended academies, 
and later taught the winter school. In 1866 
he came to California, by the Isthmus of 
Panama, landing at San Francisco, and first 
bought a water route and sold water about 
the city. He then went to Nevada, and drove 
on a stage route, then conducted a dairy in 
Marin County, and later went back to San 
Francisco, where after three months he came 
to Santa Cruz and was in the dairy business 
for one year. In 1871 Mr. McClure returned 
for a visit to his old home in Vermont. On 
his return to San Francisco he engaged in the 
milk business, which he continued at Santa 
Cruz for one and a half years. In 1875 he 
came to Lompoc, and bought forty acres of 
land in the valley, to which he has since added 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



399 



another forty, and also eighty acres of hill and 
valley land. His main crops are beans, mus- 
tard, and barley for hay. He has a small 
orchard for family use, and about twenty-live 
horses for breeding and ranch purposes. 

Mr. McClure was married at Santa Cruz, 
in 1874, to Miss F. L. Hall. They are 
blessed with three children, and a good, com- 
fortable home in which to pass the decline of 
life. 



,RZA PORTER was born in Lima, Liv- 
ingston County, New York, March 28. 
^ 1838, and was there reared and edu- 
cated. Livingston County, besides being 
famous for its rich soil, magnificent farms, 
trout streams, trout ponds, etc., is also famous 
for its schools with well developed and well 
defined systems of study. The Geneseo Nor- 
mal School, located at Geneseo in the beau- 
tiful Genesee Valley, is perhaps the largest 
of these institutions; but the Genesee Wes- 
leyan Seminary, located at Lima, is the old- 
est and probably the best known throughout 
the country. It was the latter institution 
that Mr. Porter attended for a time, being 
engaged in his studies there up to the time 
the lamily decided to move West. On ac- 
count of the delicate health of Mr. Porter's 
father, who was threatened with consump- 
tion, the family home was now moved to 
Morrie, Grundy County, Illinois. Here Mr. 
Porter lived for four years on a farm owned 
by his father. He then made up his mind 
to go further west and seek new fields of 
labor. Hearing of the military excitement 
at Salt Lake City, in 1858, he crossed the 
plains with ox teams to that point. Finding 
nothing there to interest him, he planned to 
return home; but, owing to the heavy fall of 
snow, the trip across the plains was, of course, 



impracticable, and he decided to go to Cali- 
fornia, although he originally had no thought 
of going so far. The party of which he was 
a member then packed their blankets and 
walked from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles, 
California, the entire trip across the plains 
from Illinois consuming six months and a 
half of time. 

Once in California, Mr. Porter has since 
resided here, only returning East once, in 
1874, for a visit. Los Angeles was his home 
from 1858 to 1863. A part of that time he 
was in the employ of the Stage Company, as 
he was also subsequently, when he moved to 
Santa Barbara. Mr. Porter came to Santa 
Barbara in 1863, and with the best interests 
of this city and county he was very closely 
identified for many years. He was elected 
Sheriff of the county in 1865, and held the 
office for six years. For two terms he was 
also a member of the Common Council, com- 
mencing with the year 1873, or as near that 
as can be recalled. 

It was in Santa Barbara that Mr. Porter 
was so fortunate as to meet Mr. Isaac J. 
Sparks and his family. Mr. Sparks, a sketch 
of whose life appears elsewhere in this pub- 
lication, was then well advanced in years, but 
apparently strong and hearty. Mr. Porter 
was married in 1870 to Miss Rosa Sparks, 
and up to very recent years continued to 
make Santa Barbara his home. At present 
Mr. and Mrs. Porter reside with their family, 
which consists of six children, in the lluasna 
Valley, San Luis Obispo County. Their 
ranch consists of two square leagues of land 
(something over 10,000 acres), and is a part 
of the original grant of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment to Mr. Sparks. This splendid prop- 
erty is situated in as healthy a spot as there 
probably is in the world. No damp winds 
and no fogs are to be found in this valley. 
The soil, as might be expected, is rich and 



400 



SANTA BABBABA, SAN LUIS OBISBO 



productive, and for fruit purposes apparently 
cannot be excelled. Mr. Porter has recently- 
set out an orchard of twelve acres, near his 
house, containing a grape vineyard, and 
peach, prune and apricot trees — a model in 
its way. The trees are only four to six years 
old and, without irrigation, the yield this 
year (1890) is something enormous, the 
peaches being especially large and of rare 
quality. As this was the owner's first ex- 
periment in frnit culture on the place it 
illustrates well the remarkable fertility of the 
soil and its special adaptability for fruit 
raising. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are univers- 
ally popular; their home is distinguished for 
its hospitality, the visitor being welcomed 
with the kindness and attention so character- 
istic of the Calif or ni an. 

Since making his home in San Luis Obispo 
County, Mr. Porter has held public office on 
one occasion. In 1884 he was elected As- 
semblyman, defeating Judge D. R. McVen- 
able, his opponent, who was the following 
term elected to the same office over H. M 
Warden. 



> i ti % < 



,QN. LEMUEL C. McKEEBY came to 
Ventura in 1868 from Carson City, 
Nevada. He was born in New York 
city in 1825, and received his education 
there. His father, Edward McKeeby, was of 
Scotch descent and a native of New York. 
His mother, nee Catharine Miller, was born 
in New York and was a descendant- of one 
of the old German families of that city. His 
great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary war. Mr. McKeeby served one 
year as private in the service of the United 
States during and until the close of the war 
with Mexico, when he was honorably dis- 
charged. He then made Milwaukee, Wis- 



consin, his home. In 1850 he came to Cal- 
ifornia and engaged in mining, and was 
always a successful miner. He mined at 
French Corral and Sebastopol principally; 
was the first to introduce rubber hose for 
hydraulic mining, which was at Sebastopol, 
Nevada County. He there, with his associ- 
ates, carried on a large mine, the weekly 
yield being from $2,000 to $4,000. His 
company also put a flume in the Yuba River 
twenty feet wide, at a cost of $20,000. Dur- 
ing his mining operations his gold was sent 
by Wells, Fargo & Co's Express to Marys- 
ville and to San Francisco, where it yielded 
an average of $14 per ounce. From this 
mine he went to Carson City, and with oth- 
ers erected a factory and engaged in the 
manufacture of sulphuric acid. In this en- 
terprise he was also successful. The expense 
at this time, 1863, of getting the material — 
some fifteen tons in all — to commence oper- 
ations, to that place from San Francisco, was 
ten cents per pound. The demand for the 
acid diminished and he sold out. While 
there he was elected Justice of the Peace and 
Police Judge. He was also elected a mem- 
ber of the first Legislature from the city of 
Carson, State of Nevada, and had the honor, 
in joint convention, of placing in nomination 
Hon. J. W. Nye for United States Senator; 
Governor Nye and Win. M. Stewart were 
the two first United States Senators elected 
from that State. 

Mr. McKeeby came to Ventura and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, but for the 
past ten years has been engaged in the active 
practice of his profession, and is considered 
a very careful and successful lawyer. He 
has always been identified with the business 
interests of the town and county, and was 
one of the organizers of the first bank in the 
city — the Bank of Ventura — and is now its 
attorney and vice-president. He also took a 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



401 



prominent part in the organization of the 
public library of the city. The first meetings 
for its organization were held in his house, 
and he has been President of its Board of 
Trustees for many years. He is a charter 
member of the Masonic order, helped in the 
organization of the lodge, and was its first 
W. M., and continued such for many years. 

In 1857 he was united iti marriage to Miss 
Caroline A. Sampson, a native of the State 
of Maine. She is a daughter of Mr. Samp- 
son of that State, and a niece of Mr. Owen 
Lovejoy. Their union has been blessed with 
four children, three of whom are living, viz.: 
Charles B., born in Nevada County, Califor- 
nia, now a farmer in Ventura; Mary A., also 
born in Nevada County, California, is the 
wife of A. G. Bartlett, of Los Angeles, a 
member of the firm of Bartlett Bros., of Ven- 
tura and Los Angeles; George L., born in 
Ventura, is now living with his parents. 

Mr. McKeeby has been a Republican since 
the war. He and his family are leading 
members of the Episcopal Church. They 
are people of high standing in the city in 
which they have lived so long and are identi- 
fied with all its best interests. 

On June 1, 1890, he was appointed Deputy 
Collector of Internal Revenue for the First 
District of California, to reside at Los 
Angeles. 



^ANIEL TOY, a rancher of Santa Maria, 
was born iD Wilmington, Delaware, in 
1853. His father was a blacksmith, 
who followed his trade until fifty years of 
age; then, in 1865, he moved to Iowa and 
engaged in farming. Our subject lived at 
home until 1874, when lie started in life for 
himself, continuing farming. In 1878 he 
bought a small farm; but, thinking he could 



do better in California, he sold out his inter- 
ests in 1880 and came to Santa Barbara 
County. He tirst settled at Santa Ynez, 
where he was engaged in farming until 1885, 
and then bought his present ranch of 160 
acres south of town, and there established 
himself for a permanent home, making im- 
provements, with a view to future com tort 
and convenience. He raises the usual crops 
of hay, potatoes and beans, but makes corn 
the leading crop, of which he planted about 
twenty-tive acres. He has planted a small 
orchard, and has trees in his nursery for 
fifteen acres more, all to be winter apples, the 
trees being imported from Illinois. He has 
set out 15.000 gum trees, for wind-break and 
fuel. Mr. Toy makes a specialty of small 
fruits, strawberries and raspberries doing re- 
markably well ; he also keeps 200 fowls, and 
about fifteen head of horses and cattle, and 
his place bears evidence of his Eastern thrift 
coupled with intelligent farming. 

Mr. Toy was married in 1877, at Storm 
Lake, Iowa, to Miss Laura Mudgett, a native 
of Maine, and they have four children: — ■ 
Zalia, Susan, Rebecca and Hugh. 



fACKLIN WILLETT was born in Co- 
lumbiana County, Ohio, June 13, 1838, 
son of George and Elizabeth (Rhodes) 
Willett. His father was born in Virginia, 
May 10, 1809, of English ancestors, and his 
death occurred June 3, 1879, at the acre of 
seventy years; and his mother was born in 
Loudoun County, Virginia, her father being 
of an old Virginia family, and her mother a 
Pennsylvania!]. Mr. Willett was the third 
of a family of nine children. He received 
his education in Illinois, learned the black- 
smith's trade and worked at it two years be- 
fore coming to California, in 1859. lie 



403 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



crossed the plains and went to the mines at 
Virginia City, and from there to Plumas 
County, where he continued to mine and 
where he met with financial losses. He 
then went to Santa Clara County and worked 
at his trade, and afterward engaged in farm- 
ing. In 1863 he returned to Illinois and 
engaged in the general merchandise bus- 
iness at Jeffersonville, and also carried on a 
milling business at the same time, remaining 
there until 1873. At that time he returned 
to California and purchased fifty acres of 
land at Ventura, where he has since resided. 
It is a very sightly place, on Ventura avenue, 
and here Mr. Willett is engaged in raising 
fruit, grain and beans, the latter product be- 
ing now more profitable than grain. 

Mr. Willett was united in marriage, in 
1864, to Miss Mary Holzhansen, a native 
of Ohio, born in 1843. She is a daugh- 
ter of Henry Holzhausen, who came to 
this country from Germany when fifteen 
years of age. They have three children: 
Augusta, born in Illinois, now the wife of 
W. Reynolds, of Ventura County; George, 
born in Ventura; and Muktar, also born in 
Ventura. Mrs. Willett is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Willett is a 
Granger; was formerly a Republican, but is 
now an independent. In company with Mr. 
Chilson and others, Mr. Willett built the 
Ventura Flouring-mill. During the years 
1879 to 1887 Mr. Willett was engaged in 
mining in Arizona, New Mexico and old 
Mexico. 



fOHN R. MYERS came to Ventura, in 
1874, directly from his native State, 
Iowa. He was born in Clayton County, 
July 1, 1846. His father, Jacob K. Myers, 
is a native of Beverly, Randolph County, 



Virginia, born in 1824. His grandfather, 
John Myers, was also a Virginian. They 
were of German descent. His mother, Eliza- 
beth (Wood) Myers, was born in North Isl- 
and, Vermont, a daughter of Nathaniel 
Wood, of that State. Their ancestors, on the 
paternal side, were English, and on the ma- 
ternal, Irish. Mr. Myers was the oldest of 
three children. He was reared on a farm 
and educated as other farmer boys, learning 
to work and getting his book education be- 
tween times. This fitted him for the life of 
a farmer which he has since followed. When 
he was nineteen years old he bought a colt, 
which was the first property he ever owned. 
At that time he began to do for himself. 
When twenty- two years of age, he bought 
eighty acres of land in western Iowa. On 
this property he built and made improvements 
and, after farming it eight years, sold it to come 
to Ventura, California. His first purchase 
here was ten acres of land. He improved it 
and lived on it seven years, then sold, and in 
July, 1882, bought his present fine property 
of twenty-three acres, on Ventura avenue, the 
best street in the city. He has planted the 
property to English walnuts, apricots, apples 
and other varieties of fruit. Between the 
younger trees, as his groves were growing, he 
has raised large crops of Lima beans, which 
have proved very remunerative. 

In 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Elena Dodge, a native of Oswego, New York, 
daughter of Mr. Samuel Dodge, a farmer of 
that locality. Their ancestors were English. 
This union has been blessed with three chil- 
dren, a daughter and two sons: Verner D. 
ard Mary E., born in Monona County, Iowa, 
and Frank S., born in Ventura. The eldest 
died in his fourth year. Mr. and Mrs. Myers 
are both members of the Methodist Church, 
and, in politics, he is a Republican. They 
are enjoying life in their beautiful California 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



403 



home, engaged in the general employments 
attending fruit culture. 



IfgYARD DAVIDSON, rancher west of 
Lompoc, was born in Nova Scotia in 
1850, but in early life came to Califor- 
nia with his parents, by water and the Isth- 
mus of Panama. His father bought 1,700 
acres in Marin County, and there carried on 
farming until 1870, when he cut up the 
ranch and divided it among his sons, Mr. 
Davidson receiving as his portion 330 acres. 
He then worked the farm until 1880, also 
conducting a dairy of forty cows. In 1880 
he sold it, and in 1882 came to Lompoc. He 
bought 138 acres west of town close to the 
foot-hills, 300 acres being tillable land. He 
sows a large acreage in barley, and keeps a 
fine grade of stock. Mr. Davidson has fenced 
his ranch, and built a suitable house and out- 
buildings. 

He was married in Marin County, in 
1877, to Miss Malvina E. Farley, a native of 
California. Five children now grace their 
household. 



fOSEPIl NOAH JATTA, a rancher of 
Arroyo Grande Valley, was born Au- 
gust 6, 1842, on the St. John River, 
Canada, twenty-eight miles from Montreal. 
His parents, both French-Canadians, reared 
a family of eleven children. He was seven 
years of age when they removed to Monroe 
County, New York. Two years afterward 
they all returned to Canada except Joseph. 
He was placed in the family of a Mr. Lewis, 
who owned a farm three miles from the city 
of Rochester. Here he spent his boyhood, 
working on the farm and attending school, 



until twenty-one years of age. Mr. Lewis 
gradually entertained a higher esteem for 
young Jatta and took pains to make his place 
a pleasant home for him. In 1863 he came 
to California, by way of Panama, in company 
with William Hartley, an old schoolmate. 
For the first three years here he was employed 
in the dairy of G. D. W. Gorden, who at that 
time had leased some of the Steele Brothers' 
property in Marin County. He' then fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits on Governor 
Haight's property in Monterey for a year. 
Afterward he came to San Luis Obispo 
County, where he has since resided. For two 
years he was employed on the property of 
Corral de Piedra. Next he leased the fine 
Tar Spring ranch, then owned by Frank 
Branch, and for four years operated a dairy, 
with success. After the expiration of the 
lease he purchased his present ranch of 300 
acres in the Arroyo Grande Valley, located in 
the forks of Lopez and Arroyo Grande creeks 
He also owns a place of twenty-four acres 
near the town of Arroyo Grande. His prop- 
erty adjoins the ranch of the Hamie estate. 

Residents of the county will recall the 
horrible murder of Walker and his wife in 
1886 by young Hamie, at the instigation of 
his father, and how both were quickly cap- 
tured and subsequently hung from the rail- 
road bridge at Arroyo Grande by a lynching 
party, the mob capturing the prisoners from 
the officers in charge. Mr. Jatta was return- 
ing from Nipomo at the time of the tragedy, 
and was not a witness to the preceedings, 
but being a neighbor of both the Hamie and 
Walker families he was naturally greatly in- 
terested in the shocking affair. 

Mr. Jatta was married to Mary Hall 
(whose family reside in Ventura County), in 
the old adobe house on the road a short dis- 
tance from the town of Arroyo Grande, where 
her people then 1 i ved. Mr. and M rs. ,J atta have 



404 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



ten children. He is a member of the Arroyo 
Grande Lodge, No. 160, K. of P.,— the only 
organization with which he is at present 
connected. 



fH. RICE, an early pioneer of Cali- 
fornia, and a prominent developer of 
° the Santa Maria Valley, was born in 
Rhea Connty, Tennessee, June 20, 1832. 
His father was a farmer and a prominent 
trader of that period, who, ever in the ad- 
vance line of civilization, pushed to the front 
in 1842 and emigrated to Arkansas, where 
he continued farming. The subject of this 
sketch was educated in the common schools, 
and remained at home until 1850. Then, 
"enthused" with the spirit of emigration 
and the gold excitement of California, he 
started across the plains with a mule team, 
and after a period of four months he arrived 
at Mud Springs, Placer County, August 10, 
1850. He then began placer- mining, and 
for one year shook the pan or rocked the 
cradle on the banks of the Yuba and Auburn 
rivers; but, meeting with poor success, he 
resumed the industry of his youth, farming, 
and to that end settled in Sonoma County, in 
November, 1851, taking the " squatters' " 
claim and carrying on general farming for 
sixteen years. While there Mr. Rice was 
married, November 19, 1854, to Miss Mary 
A. Long, a native of Ohio, and they have 
six children, five sons and one daughter. In 
1867 Mr. Rice removed to Monterey County, 
where he farmed for six years, and in 1873 
they removed to Santa Maria Valley, settling 
near Guadalupe. Through litigation with 
grant-holders, he deemed it wise to change 
his present location, which he did in 1874, 
and purchased from Martin Murphy 1,831 
acres of the Punta de Laguna Rancho, at 



$4.10 per acre, a barren tract, unfenced and 
no improvements upon it. Mr. Rice imme- 
diately began substantial improvements, and 
his well-fenced and well-stocked ranch is now 
satisfactory evidence of his progressive ideas 
with his energy and ability. The first ten 
years he farmed in wheat, barley and corn; 
but in 1884 changed to sheep, cattle and 
hogs, and in 1886 began his present success- 
ful and well- managed dairy, consisting of 
160 cows. He makes the " R " brand of 
butter, shipping only in rolls, and averaging 
2,000 pounds per month. His present farm- 
ing is for feeding purposes, raising eighty 
acres in barley hay, which averages three 
tons to the acre; forty acres of pumpkins, of 
twenty tons to the acre, and ten acres in 
corn, averaging thirty bushels to the acre. 
His rancli is very rich and productive. 

"™ ' is"""" 1 <• ""J) 

tCANET came to Ventura in 1873. 
His native place was France, where 
a he was born in 1833. He sailed for 
New York, and while there was engaged 
eight or nine years in the manufacture of 
bonnet frames. He returned to France, and 
then came again, to California, where he 
took up his present location of 137 acres of 
Government land. He afterward bought 
270 acres, and has since added to his prop- 
erty until he now has between 1,300 and 
1,400 acres of rich pasture and grazing land. 
The land was wild and uncultivated, but he 
is improving it, and as the country grows it 
will increase in value every year. He is 
raising cattle, horses and sheep, but most of 
his time is devoted to sheep-raising, keeping 
from 1,000 to 2,000. He employs from two 
to five shepherds, according to season, and 
hound-dogs to keep the wild-cats from his 
flocks. They shot fifteen during the last 



AM) VENTURA COUNTIES. 



405 



winter. When they are in pursuit of a wild- 
cat they make the hills resound with their 
"music." In addition to his stock-farming 
Mr. Canet raises corn and barley, to which 
the land is well adapted ; nor could it be sur- 
passed for fruit. 

Mr. Canet was married in 1864, to Miss 
Kate Brangan, who was born in Ireland. 
They have one son, Ed. C, born in New 
York, in 1865. In his political views Mr. 
Canet is mostly independent, but has lately 
voted with the Republicans. Mr. and Mrs. 
Canet are members of the Catholic Church. 



[EOKGE H. LONG, an early pioneer 
and prominent rancher of California, 
was born in Lancaster County, Penn- 
sylvania, in 1815. His grandfather manu- 
factured the first hand-sickles made in the 
United States, and his lather was an exten- 
sive manufacturer of sickles and agricultural 
implements. George left home at the age of 
fourteen years, and went to Huntingdon 
County, Pennsylvania, where as hostler-boy 
he entered the service of Dr. Peter Schoen- 
berger, an extensive manufacturer of iron, 
etc., from a fine quality of pipe iron ore, the 
doctor owning his own mines. By faithful 
service George H. was rapidly promoted, and 
before twenty years of age he became super- 
intendent of the entire manufactory. After 
nineteen years of service, in partnership 
with his brother, he built a charcoal furnace, 
at Lewiston, Pennsylvania, but only contin- 
ued until 1852, when he started for Califor- 
nia in a sailing vessel, around Cape Horn. 
Sailing from Philadelphia, they were ninety 
days on the voyage to San Francisco. Mr. 
Long then went to the mines on the Yuba 
River, and, striking a rich claim, in ten 
months he had cleared $15,000, and then re- 



turned to the East by way of Panama. He 
was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company for two years, but could never for- 
get the genial climate and productiveness of 
California, and he returned to the State in 
1856. He again sought the mines, but not 
with his previous success; still he followed 
mining through the mining districts of Cali- 
fornia and Nevada, with varied success. In 
1860 he, with others, under guard of troops 
from Fort Mohave, located many rich claims 
about Prescott, Arizona; but at the breaking 
out of the war, in 1861, the troops were re- 
called, and all had to leave the country for 
fear of the Indians. Mr. Long then took a 
drove of cattle and sheep from Fort Tejon 
Rancho, in Los Angeles County, to Virginia 
City, and on his return was engaged by 
Thomas Dibble as superintendent of the 
Santa Anita Rancho, where he looked after 
stock interests. In 1864, when Hollister & 
Dibble bought the Loinpoc Rancho, Mr. 
Long brought their sheep up to that ranch; 
when he came to the valley in 1865 there 
was not an American farmer nearer than 
Santa Barbara. The valley was covered with 
brush and timber, and filled with deer, griz- 
zly bear and many other wild beasts, and 
people exclaimed at the idea of bringing 
sheep to the valley, thinking all would be 
devoured by the wild beasts. By careful 
herding, and poison for the wild beasts, few 
sheep were lost, and the wild beasts were ex- 
terminated. No farming was done in the 
valley until after 1874, when it was opened 
by the Lompoc Colony. 

Hollister & Dibble had very large ranch 
interests, owning 136,000 acres, and as high 
as 70,000 sheep. Mr. Long acted as super- 
intendent of this ranch for sixteen years, 
and in 1876 bought the Rancho la Honda, of 
2,000 acres, where he raised cattle and 
horses. In 1888 he bought his present 



406 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



ranch of 250 acres, west of town, and in 
1889 built his residence which, standing on 
an eminence, commands an extended view of 
ocean and valley. He sold Rancho la Honda 
in 1890, and now carries on general farming 
and raises hogs and a fine grade of horses. 

Mr. Long was married at Santa Barbara, 
in 1870, to Miss Mary Davison, who died in 
1886, leaving five children. Mr. Long was 
then remarried, in 1888, to Miss Mary Rios, 
and that union has been blessed with one 
child. Mr. Long has always been a stanch 
Republican; he voted for William Henry 
Harrison for President, in 1840, and in 1888 
for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison, for the 
same honorable position. 




S. RILEY was bom in Milford, 
Oakland County, Michigan, Octo- 
!• ber 8, 1839. His father, Charles 
Riley, came from England, and was a hard- 
ware merchant in Milford. His mother, 
Sarah (Senior) Riley, was also born in Eng- 
land. They were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, the subject of this sketch being the 
eighth child He was reared and educated 
in his native town, and arrived in California 
September 5, 1861. After spending some 
months in Sacramento, he went to San Fran- 
cisco. August 5, 1862, he left the latter 
place, and landed in "Ventura August 6, at 
eight o'clock in the evening, and has been 
here ever since. Mr. Riley was first employed 
by the California Petroleum Company, J. P. 
Green, of Pennsylvania, being president. In 
1873 he started a livery business in Ventura, 
beginning with a spring-wagon, carriage and 
four horses; and rome time afterward, when 
he sold his business to Mr. Logue, his stock 
had increased to twenty horses and fifteen 
carriages. With Mr. E. S. Hall, he engaged 



in the real-estate business, making a great 
many sales and being very successful in this 
enterprise. He purchased twenty-two acres 
of land, four miles north of Ventura, where 
he built a good house and barn aui plant il 
variety of fruit trees. 

Mr. Riley was married June 6, 1889, to 
Miss Janette Wakefield, who was born in 
Sonoma County, California, August 2, 1869. 
Her father, Wilson Wakefield, was born in 
Peoria, Illinois. March 17, 1836. Her 
mother, Mary (Hickman) Wakefield, was 
born in Indiana, October 23, 1834. They 
were both of Scotch-English descent. 



^ENRY SUMMERS, a farmer and one 
of the first settlers of Lompoc, was 
born in Holstein, Germany, in 1830. 
He was raised on the farm of his father and 
remained until 1847, when he shipped on a 
whaling expedition to Greenland and re- 
turned in the fall, thus spending his winters 
at home. This he continued for five years, 
and in 1852, when Holstein rebelled against 
Denmark, Mr. Summers enlisted and joined 
the navy as third mste and served about 
eighteen months, passing through many en- 
gagements He then shipped on a merchant 
vessel, and for two and a half years was en- 
gaged along the coast of South America. March 
1, 1856, he took passage ^at Hamburg, on a 
sailing vessel for California, rounding Cape 
Horn, and arrived in San Francisco in Sep- 
tember, 1856. He then went to the mines at 
Mountain Well, Nevada County, and there 
clerked in the store of his brother-in-law, re- 
maining until 1860, when he bought out the 
business. He continued until 1869, when, 
on account of sickness, he sold out and came 
to Watson ville, and there farmed and teamed 
until 1874, when he came to Lompoc, having 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



407 



stock in the Development Company. He 
bought 160 acres, all wild and unimproved 
land, and turned the first furrow in the val- 
ley. He now has cleared and under cultiva- 
tion 120 acres of rich and very productive 
soil. Mr. Summers carried on general farm- 
ing, making mustard and beans his principal 
crop. He has also about fifteen brood mares, 
from which he raises some fast horses. 

Mr. Summers was married in Nevada 
County, in 1861, to Miss Maggie Burner, a 
native of Holstein. They have eight chil- 
dren, six daughters and two sons. 



HLARLES W. LARZELERE, a promi- 

T$C\ nent citizen and rancher of Lompoc, 
was born at Seneca Falls, Seneca County, 
New York, in 1834. His father owned a 
canal-boat which ran from Buffalo to Albany, 
and also traded, having a grocery at Seneca 
Falls. His uncle, Abraham Larzelere, built 
the first four-story building in Buffalo. His 
father emigrated to Lenawee County, Mich- 
igan, in 1836. when the country was very 
wild and unsettled; he took up land and also 
traded with the settlers. The subject of this 
sketch remained at home until 1853, when 
he came to Salt Lake with Colonel Steptoe, 
who had command of 600 soldiers and 100 
work -hands. They passed the winter in camp 
at Salt Lake, and in the spring of 1854 the 
Government took up a reservation, eight 
miles square, at Rush Valley, and built bar- 
racks for the accommodation of officers and 
men. In 1854 Mr. Larzelere came to Cali- 
fornia and engaged in mining in Nevada 
County for two years, then to Humboldt Bay 
and to Jacksonville, Oregon, where the Gov- 
ernment command was stationed durincr the 
Indian war of 1856. He remained at Jack- 
sonville for five years, engaged in mining, 



farming and dairying. In 1859 he went to 
Coos Bay, Oregon, bought 160 acres of land 
and farmed and lumbered until 1866, when 
he was married to Miss Clarinda Rowley, a na- 
tive of Illinois. They then came south and 
traveled through California and settled at 
Los Olivos, and with a friend took up 320 
acres of land. After three years he traded 
his claim for a 1 umber- wagon, which is still 
1 n use. In 1870 he went to Santa Barbara 
and leased 175 acres, near the present town 
of Goleta. He there carried on farmin": un- 
til 1877, when he moved to his present 
ranch, which he had purchased in 1876 to 
the amount of 384 acres, 106 of which he 
has since sold. He started an apiary at 
Goleta in 1876, which he has since continued 
on his ranch at Lompoc and has about 350 
stands, which average 100 pounds to the 
stand: but he has taken as hio;h as 200 
pounds from one stand. He has four chil- 
dren living, all at home. 



W. COX, an extensive and successful 
rancher of the Santa Maria Valley, was 
" born in Hocking County, Ohio, in 
1843. His father was a farmer, who in 1846 
moved to Iowa, and in 1857 to Clark County, 
Missouri, where he continued his stock and 
farming interests. The subject of this sketch 
was educated at Iowa, and took a seminary 
course at Canton, Missouri. He then lived 
at home and followed farming until 1861, 
when his country called him, and he was 
prompt to answer, enlisting at Athens, Mis- 
souri, July 5, 1861. in Colonel Moore's Home 
Guards. After three months a general order 
came disbanding all independent companies, 
and he then enlisted at Warsaw, Illinois, in 
the Black Hawk Cavalry, under Colonel 
Bishop, which was later consolidated at 



408 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Macon City with the Seventh Missouri Cav- 
alry, and Colonel Huston of the regular army 
was placed in command. They were then 
placed in the Department of Missouri, with 
headquarters at Macon City, their services 
being chiefly about Springfield and south- 
western Missouri. They were at the battle 
of Prairie Grove in 1863, under Generals 
Herron and Blunt, a heavy engagement; then 
at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Little 
Rock, Arkansas, where there were 30,000 
men under command of Colonel Fred Steele. 
The duty was chiefly skirmishing, as after 
four months the Confederates evacuated. 
They were then stationed at Little Rock un- 
til the close of the war, on detached duty, in 
raiding and guarding the frontier. Mr. Cox 
was then connected for nearly three years 
with the medical department on hospital 
duty, and was at the Post Hospital at Little 
Rock after the evacuation; he was mustered 
not with his regiment at St. Louis in Novem- 
ber, 1865. 

He then returned home and took up 160 
acres of land in Jasper County, Missouri, 
which he improved. He was married in 
186 ( J to Miss Mary Powers, and they con- 
tinued to reside on the ranch until 1874, 
when he sold out and came to California, set- 
tling in the Santa Maria Valley, where he 
pre-empted thirty acres and rented 300 ad- 
joining, which he farmed in grain. In 1879 
he bought 320 acres southeast of town, and 
in 1882, 160 acres more, and here in 1888 
he built his present comfortable residence 
where he now resides. He farms 500 acres 
in wheat and barley and keeps about twenty 
head of horses for ranch and breeding pur- 
puses, breeding only for general utility. Mr. 
Cox was elected Supervisor for the Fifth Dis- 
trict in the fall of 1886, but is more particu- 
larly interested in the mangement of his 
extensive fanning interests. Mr. and Mrs> 



Cox have three children, Ashbury Arthur 
and Chester. He is a member of Foote Post, 
No. 89, G. A. R. 

fF. BECKETT, a real-estate dealer of 
Arroyo Grande, was born in Polk Coun- 
9 ty, Iowa, in 1847. In 1852 the entire 
family removed to Oregon and in 1859 to 
California. Del Norte, Humboldt and So- 
noma counties were their home in rapid suc- 
cession, the Senior Beckett being engaged in 
agricultural pursuits at these various places. 
In 1869 the subject of this sketch came to 
San Luis Obispo city, striking out in the 
world for himself, and for fifteen years was 
engaged in teaching school, spending his 
winter vacations in planting and cultivating 
nursery stock. Thus he was in fact the 
pioneer nursery man of the county. Al- 
though he had taught school in Arroyo 
Grande as early as 1878, he did not make the 
place his home until 1880. He was School 
Superintendent of the county from 1880 to 
1883; was also President of the Agricultural 
Association for one year, being the immedi- 
ate successor of E. W. Steele, who was the 
first president of the Association. Since 1883 
Mr. Beckett has been engaged in real-estate 
business in Arroyo Grande; and no man in 
that section has a better knowledge of the 
wealth and resources of that great valley. It 
is through his courtesy that the publishers of 
this work are enabled to give an accurate and 
full discription of the valley and its environs. 
He is the owner of one of the most important 
bituminous rock mines in the county near 
Steele's Station ; also of another fine bitumi- 
nous rock mine adjoining the town of Arroyo 
Grande. In company with others, Mr. 
Beckett bought 200 acres of this laud some 
time ago, of E. W. Steele and others. Most 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



AW) 



of this property now belongs to Mr. Beckett. 
Among the important real-estate transactions 
which Mr Beckett has successfully negotiated 
are to be mentioned the Steele subdivision of 
the Corral de Piedra tract, and the Tall) ho 
ranch of Mr. Vachell. He has a large and 
increasing business, owns steam water works 
in the town and is now preparing to pave the 
streets with bituminous rock. 

WU E. BLOCHMAN, an enthusiast on fruit 
Mrji an< l tree culture, was born in San Fran- 
s^** cisco in 1856. He was educated in 
the public and high schools of San Francisco, 
and studied for teaching which he followed 
for three years. In 1879 he began his busi- 
ness career as book-keeper, to which he lias 
devoted himself and become a scientific book- 
keeper and accountant. In 1881 he came to 
Santa Maria, and has since followed his pro- 
fession, having been several years with the 
extensive general merchandise house of Weil- 
heimer & Coblentz, as manager of their 
financial and accounting department. In 
1885 Mr. Blochinan became interested in 
hmd, and bought 160 acres southeast of town 
where he experimented in various fruits, nuts 
and vines, and where he planted, and what 
has since been a very successful orchard of 
twenty acres. In 1887 he sold this ranch, 
that he might go farther up the valley. 
Thus, from the protection afforded by the 
outlying hills, he gets a warm summer 
temperature, and a large rainfall, free from 
the stormy coast winds, elements which he 
thought would conduce to a better fruit area. 
He bought 320 acres, some of which he is 
now improving. He has forty acres in 
peaches, apricots, Bartlett pears, apples and 
prunes, and ten acres in grapes, and contem- 
plates setting out 500 almonds the coming 

2« 



season. In 1888 he organized a company of 
gum-tree growers, to raise trees to sell at 
co-t, and thus induce an increased tree-plant- 
ing, and which lias been a success except 
from a financial standpoint. 

Mr. Blochman was married in January, 
1888, to Miss Ida M. Twitcliell, a lady of 
high attainments, who graduated at the State 
Agricultural College of Iowa, and was vale- 
dictorian of her class, composed of men and 
women. For five years she taught, and was 
Principal of the Santa Maria School. She is 
now a member of the Board of Education, 
and a leading authority on school education. 
She is also connected with the scientiiic 
temperance work, and has note-; prepared for 
a book on the subject. 



—~~«g****$- 



r^YRUS DOUGLAS, a successful rancher 
IS of the Lompoc Valley, was born in Ver- 
wi million County, Illinois, in 1831. He 
lived at home assisting his father on the farm 
until the spring of 1852, when he started his 
ox team and prairie schooner for the Pacific 
slope. It was a large train, and through re- 
peated delays they were seven months on the 
road. They came in through Oregon, and 
our subject located in Pierce County, Wash- 
ington Territory, where for three years he 
worked at logging and in saw mills. In 1855 
he came to Mendocino County, and worked 
ten years in logging in the red woods. In 
1867 he went to Solano County, and bought 
160 acres of land and raised wheat and barley, 
remaining until 1876, when he came to 
Ilollister and put in one crop. In the spring 
of 1877 he came to Lompoc, and bou<dit 
forty acres of land, and moved his family in 
the fall. His land was partly cleared, and he 
soon after built his house and out buildings, 
lie also rents 200 acres across the river, where 



410 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



he raises wheat and barley. He has a small 
orchard for home use, and makes beans and 
mustard the principal crops. He keeps 
horses and cattle, but only for ranch purposes. 
Mr. Douglas was married in Solano Coun- 
ty, in 1867, to Miss Armilda F. Carter, a 
native of Missouri. They have seven chil- 



dren, all at home. 



^g*!M£*g*». 



dKBjIOHAEL FLYJMN, one of the promi- 
ffl|| nent and progressive ranchers of 
-^0^ Springville, Ventura County, was 
born in the west of Ireland, October 13, 1853, 
his parents, David and Ellen Flynn, also be- 
ing natives of that country. In 1875 Mr. 
Flynn came to America and worked for one 
year in Boston, Massachusetts, and in 1876 
came to San Francisco and engaged in team- 
ing in the city two years. He then came to 
Ventura County and angaged in farming and 
sheep-raising, following that business five 
years, a part of the time in partnership with 
his brother-in-law. He bought out his part- 
ner's interest and continued the business alone 
for awhile. In 1885, the country becoming 
developed and much of the land being used 
for farming purposes, Mr. Flynn closed out 
this business and turned his attention to 
speculating in grain at San Francisco. A 
year later he removed to Los Angeles, and in 
October, 1886, came to his present location 
in Ventura County. He purchased 142 acres 
of land, on which he has since resided, and 
which he has improved by erecting a good 
dwelling-house and suitable out-buildings, 
surrounded by well-kept grounds. He has 
planted a quantity of walnut trees, and is 
going into that business quite largely. His 
present principal crop is beans and corn. Mr. 
Flynn is also engaged in raising horses, cat- 



tle, sheep and hogs, in partnership with Mr. 
Paulin, having some very fine specimens of 
horses. They are devoting about 800 acres 
of land to wheat and barley, and employ 
eight men and six teams. 

Mr. Flynn was married in 1878 to Miss 
Lavelle, who was born near his own native 
place, her parents being Irish people. They 
have a family of six children, all born in Ven- 
tura County, viz.: David E., Robert E., Mary 
Grace, Albert E., Clarence E., and Sarah 
Clara. Mr. Flynn is a Democrat. He and 
his family are worthy members of the Catholic 
Church. 



jjggflLLIAM NEWTON SHORT, of Ar- 
ffllfl royo Grande Valley, was born in the 
1-^fiH town of Oquawka, Henderson County, 
Illinois, in March, 1838, one of eight chil- 
dren, all of whom are still living. When he 
was fourteen years of age the family came to 
California with ox teams, settling on a ranch 
near Watsonville. William, of course, was 
placed at farm work, but from time to time 
he went around prospecting in the mining 
regions, and visited Los Angeles and the 
northern part of the State. In the spring of 
1876, in company with his brother, he bought 
twenty-two acres of land in the Arroyo 
Grande Valley, joining the present town of 
Arroyo Grande. They purchased of the 
Steele Brothers, and eleven acres of their 
first purchase is still the property of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, on which he lives. When 
he first came here there was no town, and the 
only business establishments were Ryan's 
Hotel, one store and a blacksmith's shop. 
The valley was dense thicket, with here and 
there remotely a small cultivated spot. Stages 
were running from Soledad to Arroyo Grande, 
and, strange as it may seem, the mails came 



AND VENTURA COUNTTES 



411 




more promptly and earlier than they do 
to-day by rail. 

Mr. Short was married April 4, 1869, to 
Miss English, a native of Missouri, whose 
parents moved to Texas when she was only a 
child, and in 1861 to California. Mr. Short 
has two daughters and one son. 

— «e» my » Si 'Z *-^ " — 

HENDEICKS, a farmer of Lom- 
poc, was among the first settlers there. 
He was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 
1823. His father. Aaron M. Hendricks, was 
by trade a carpenter, and a native of Tennes- 
see. In 1812 he was at the battle of New 
Orleans as Sergeant, under General Jackson- 
In 1837 he emigrated to Indiana, where he 
followed his trade. The subject of this sketch 
lived at home until twenty-two years of age, 
and worked at farming. In 1846 he was 
married, at West Point, Tippecanoe County, 
to Miss Esther A. Wagner, a native of Ohio. 
Mr. Hendricks then rented a farm of about 
150 acres and followed farming up to 1865, 
when he crossed the plains for California; P. 
W. Fondy was in command of the train, 
which was very large, and there was much 
sickness in the company. They were five 
months on the way, and came to California 
by Truckee. Mr. Hendricks then went to 
Marysville, where he bought 120 acres and 
farmed fur four years, then going to Hoi lis- 
ter, where he rented 600 acres, and carried 
on general farming up to the fall of 1874, 
when he came to Lornpoc and bought sixty- 
eight acres where he now resides. Land was 
then covered with brush, and they could 
shoot wild-cats, deer and coyotes from the 
house. The land is now nicely cleared and 
under a high state of cultivation; mustard, 
beans and barley are now his chief crops, and 
he also raises a fine grade of horses. He has 



three children, all married. After many 
years of hardship Mr. Hendricks fully enjoys 
his present comfortable home. 



fS B. GOSNELL, a prominent rancher of 
Ventura County, was born in Newark, 
^ 9 Ohio, November 2, 1848. His father, 
Nelson Gosnell, was also born at the same 
place, and his grandfather, Joshua Gosnell, 
was a native of New York, his ancestors hav- 
ing emigrated from England to that State. 
His mother, Samantha (Barrick) Gosnell, 
daughter of John Barrick, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, traces her ancestry back to the 
Pennsylvania Dutch. Mr. and Mrs. Gosnell 
had thirteen children, seven of whom are now 
living. The family removed from Ohio to 
Illinois when the subject of this sketch was 
nine years old, residing there eight years 
In 1865 they removed to Missouri and re- 
mained there ten years. Mr. Gosnell was 
reared a farmer, and also learned the carpen- 
ter's trade. He returned to Ohio, and, in 
1885, came to his present locality. Here he 
purchased 102 acres of land on the Ventura 
avenue, and built on it two houses and a 
barn. He is now engaged in erecting a very 
fine family residence on one of the most 
sightly spots of the whole avenue, it being on 
a high point of land that overlooks the entire 
valley in every direction, with all the beauti- 
ful homes on Ventura avenue in full view. 
Mr. Gosnell has a family orchard with a 
variety of fruit of nearly all kinds, and also 
300 walnut trees. 

In 1879 the subject of this sketch was 
united in marriage with Miss Caroline Mc- 
Guire, sister of William McGuire, a history 
of whom will be found on another page of 
this book. It was on account of Mrs. Gos- 
nell's health that they came to California. 



412 



SANTA BA1W Alt A, SAX LUjS OBISPO 



They are the parents of two children, Ira 
and Lena, both natives of Ohio. Mr. Gosnell 
is a Royal Arch Mat-on. Politically he is a 
Republican. 



S. BARKLA came to California in 1853 

fand located in Ventura County in 1871. 
Q He was born in Cornwall, England, 
March 9, 1832. His father, John Barkla, 
was a mining contractor in England, and both 
his parents were natives of that country. Mr. 
Barkla was reared and educated there, and in 
1849, at the age of seventeen years, came to 
the United States. His business, that of a 
copper miner and prospector in the employ 
of a copper mining company, took him into 
the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
Virginia. The gold excitement of California 
brought him to this coast in 1853, where he 
engaged in mining for the precious metal. 
His operations began at Hangtown, now 
Placerville, where he spent six years, most of 
the time in tunnel mining, being very suc- 
cessful. In the summer of 1856 four men 
worked four days and cleared up fifty ounces 
of gold as the result of the labor, worth $925. 
After this he put $8,000 in one claim and 
worked hard for three years to get his money 
back again. After leaving the mines he 
came to Ventura County and bought forty 
acres of land on Main street, Santa Paula, 
and of this he retains five acres, on which his 
residence is situated, and on which is a 
variety of fruit trees, including oranges in 
bearing. Mr. Barkla also owns land in this 
and Los Angeles counties. During his resi- 
dence in Santa Paula he has done his share 
toward the development of the town. 

Mr. Barkla was united in marriage in 
Pennsylvania, April 17, 1860, to Miss Han- 
nah Hintoh, a native of England, born in 



1840. When a child she came to America 
with her parents, and was reared in Massa- 
chusetts. They have three children living: 
Laura H., born in El Dorado County, March 
23, 1861; Luna Jane, in the same place, Au- 
gust 31, 1863; Carl Benjamin, born on the 
Cosn mnes River, El Dorado County, April 
23, 1866. Mr. and Mis. Barkla are IJniver- 
salists in belief. In politics his views are in 
harmony with Democratic principles. From 
1883 until 1887 he served as Supervisor of 
Ventura County. He united with the I. O. 
O. F. in 1855. 






EORGE STOWELL, a successful rancher 
of the Santa Maria Valley, was born in 
Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1830. His own" 
home being broken up by the death of his 
parents, he lived with relatives until he w r as 
seventeen years of age. He then went to 
Lake County, where he learned the trade of 
carpentering, which he followed until 1853, 
when with his brother, Henry, they crossed 
the plains for Caliiornia, landing in Hang- 
town, now Plactrville, in August, 1853. The 
subject of this sketch then followed mining 
for two years, and in 1855, in company with 
two others, they began teaming across the 
Sierra Mountains; they were the first to 
freight across those mountains. They brought 
back the first load of quartz from the famous 
Comstock mines in Nevada, which they car- 
ried to Folsom, California, where it was 
shipped to England. Mr. Stowell followed 
freighting very successfully until 1867, when 
he came to San Luis Obispo County, and 
took up 363 acres of land in the Cayucos 
district, where he followed dairy farming, 
keeping seventy cows. In 1878 he sold his 
interest, and removed to Paso Robles Springs, 
where he put 500 acres in wdieat. In 1882 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



413 



lie moved to Santa Maria Yalley, where he 
bought 160 acres, his present elegant ranch, 
which he has since fenced and divided, and 
built substantial house and farm buildings. 
He farmed in barley and beans, giving par- 
ticular attention to hogs, keeping about 150 
head, and other stock only for ranch pur- 
poses. 

Mr. Stowell was married in Hangtown, in 
1855, to Miss Lydia Smith, a uative of Mich- 
igan and they have three children: Susan A., 
Fanny E. and Guy J. Mr. Stowell is a 
member of Santa Maria Lodge, No. 302, 
I. O. O. F., and has been an Odd Fellow 
for thirty-two years; first joining at Hang- 
town. 



iAJOR WILLIAM JACKSON is one 
who has served both State and County, 
and was numbered among the ear- 
liest settlers of Lompoc; he was born at New- 
port, Cocke County, Tennessee, in 1822. His 
father, William Jackson, moved to Moniteau 
County, Missouri, in 1833, where he farmed 
and was also Public Administrator and Jus- 
tice of the Peace. Our subject received a 
limited education in the log school-house of 
that day, and in 1854 was elected to the Leg- 
islature from Putnam County, Missouri, 
representing the county two sessions. Dur- 
ing the exciting days of 1861, though a 
Southern man by birth, Mr. Jackson sympa- 
thized with the North, and early in 1861 he 
was elected from five counties as a delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention held at 
Jefferson City, Missouri, and at St. Louis, in 
four sessions. In June, 1861, he was one of 
fifty-six who deposed the Governor and all 
the staff' officers, and elected a provisional 
Governor and full body of State officers, who 
carried on the State Government for two 




years, until loyal officers could be elected. 
In 1862 he enlisted from Chilicothe, Livings- 
ton County, Missouri, and helped raise the 
Third Missouri Regiment, and was appointed 
Major of the First Battalion. They went to 
Springfield, Missouri, which was chief head- 
quarters, and was placed in the army of the. 
frontier under General Halleck. The regi- 
ment was engaged in the battle of Springfield, 
January 8, 1863, agains*: General Marmadnke, 
who it was said had 16,000 men, while the 
Union forces numbered 4,500, still fiirhtincr 
from within the fort; they were victorious 
and Marmaduke was repulsed. Major Jack- 
son was in many skirmishes, and was dis- 
charged in the spring of 1863. 

He then went home in the spring of 1864, 
with his wife and five little ones, and crossed 
the plains for California. After four months 
of travel they landed in Green Yalley, So- 
noma County, in September, 1864, where he 
rented land, and farmed and teamed until 
1867, when he came to San Luis Obispo, 
and bought a claim of 320 acres, near the 
town, where he farmed and dairied, furnishing 
the town with butter and milk, and keeping 
about forty cows. In 1874 he came to Lom- 
poc, where he attended the first sale and 
bought twenty-five acres of land, and built 
the first house of the colony, bringing with 
hiin a load of lumber for that purpose from 
San Luis Obispo. He also bought 320 acres 
west of the town, where he started a dairy, 
bringing his forty cows from San Luis Obispo; 
he rented 300 acres, which he farmed in 
wheat. In 1878 he sold his ranch and moved 
his house to the city lots. He then bought 
1,100 acres at Arroyo Hondo, where he has 
since farmed and dairied, keeping about sixty 
cows. All his land is now rented, and he is 
improving his home property. 

Major Jackson was one of the original di- 
rectors of the colony for three years, and in 



414 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



1888 was elected Justice of the Peace. He 
was Grange Master two years from San Luis 
Obispo, and two years from Lompoc. Major 
Jackson has been twice married, first to Miss 
Martha J. Bruce, of Missouri, whom he lost 
in 1862, leaving five children. He was again 
married in Kansas, in 1863, to Miss Mary C. 
Francis, and they have eight children. Mr. 
Jackson is a member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 
262, F. & A. M.,and is a worthy Master Mason, 
and was delegate to the Grand Lodge in 1889. 
He is also a member of Eobert Anderson 
Post, No. 66, G. A. K. 



f LOGAN KENNEDY, as his name in- 
dicates, is a descendant of the old 
° Scottish chiefs. Kennedy, in Celtic, 
Ceannathighe, means the head of a clan or 
chieftain. Duncan de Carrick, living in 1153, 
was father of Nicholas de Carrick, whose son, 
Roland de Carrick, took the name of Ken- 
nedy, and from this origin the family springs. 
Their home was in Ayrshire. 

This ancient family were prominent in 
political matters, were leaders in the Presby- 
terian Church, and were valiant soldiers in 
the cause of reform, liberty and religion. 
Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, is the pres- 
ent Earl of Carrick. They have been con- 
nected with the great house of Stewart and 
with the kings of Scotland and England. 
Colonel Gilbert Kennedy, who was with 
Cromwell at the battle of Marston Moor, 
bad two sons, who were Presbyterian min- 
isters. Rev. Thomas Kennedy, one of these 
sons, was Chaplain to General Munro, and 
went with the army to Ireland, in 1642. Mr. 
Kennedy afterward settled in Carland, and 
this accounts for the family being in Ireland. 
He died in 1714. Two of his sons were 
Presbyterian ministers. It is believed that 



William Kennedy, who emigrated from Ire- 
land and settled in Bucks County, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1830, was Colonel Gilbert Kennedy's 
descendant. This William Kennedy was 
born in Londonderry, Ireland, about 1695. 
He married Mary Henderson, and his death 
occurred in 1777. He was J. Logan Ken- 
nedy's great-great-grandfather. His son, 
James Kennedy, was born in Bucks County, 
Pennsylvania, in 1730, and married Jane 
Maxwell in 1761. They had twelve children. 
His death occurred October 7, 1799. His 
son, William Kennedy, born in 1766, mar- 
ried Sarah Stewart, and to them were born 
eight children. He served in the Continental 
army as aid to his uncle, General Maxwell. 
He afterward represented the counties of 
Sussex and Warren in the Legislature of 
New Jersey, several terms, and was chair- 
man of the house, which position he filled 
with dignity and honor. He was also, for 
years, a judge of the courts. He was an 
elder in the Greenwich Presbyterian Church, 
and in politics was a Democrat. This was 
our subject's grandfather. His son, James J. 
Kennedy, was born in Warren County, New 
Jersey, July 14, 1793; and, January 28, 
1819, he married Margaret Co well. He re- 
moved to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 
1839; was a Presbyterian, a judge, a Dem- 
ocrat, and a prominent agriculturist. 

His son, J. Logan Kennedy, was born and 
reared in Cumberland Valley, near the town 
of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He was 
the youngest of a family of nine children, 
six of whom are now living; and received 
his education at Chambersburg and Jones- 
ville, New Jersey. For a time he read law in 
the office of his brother, T. B. Kennedy. He 
engaged somewhat in politics, and was elected 
treasurer of his county. In 1872 he came 
to California and settled in Ventura, where 
he engaged in the sheep business with 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



415 



Thomas P. Bard, who had been his boyhood 
playmate and schoolmate. The iirm was 
Kennedy & Bard until 1880. They engaged 
in this business on a large scale, having as 
many as 15,000 sheep at one time. Mr. 
Kennedy has also been engaged in buying 
and selling sheep and cattle, and he owns a 
livery in Ventura. He has been interested 
in lands, and now owns a ranch. 

Mr. Kennedy was married in 1881, to 
Miss Netta E. Wright, a native of Wiscon- 
sin. She is the daughter of Philip V. 
Wright, who was born in New York. They 
are of Scotch-Irish descent, and their ances- 
tors have been residents of America since 
the Revolution. They have one child, an in- 
teresting little girl: Carrie L., born in Ven- 
tura, April 25, 1882. Mrs. Kennedy is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

A descendant of a family of Democrats, 
Mr. Kennedy has ever been true to that 
party. He is a fine physical representative 
of his Scotch ancestry — blue eyes, fine com- 
plexion, tall and straight, and a fine well de- 
veloped form. He retains his love fur 
valuable horses and can be seen driving his 
fine horse on the beautiful avenues of Ven- 
tura, with his wife and little daughter, en- 
joying the delightful and balmy climate of 
Southern California. They have a nice home 
at the corner of Oak and Poli streets, sur- 
rounded with flowers and shrubs and every 
thing that goes to make life a comfort. 



( NTONIO PEZZONI, dairyman and 
Vfflk farmer of San Luis Obispo County, near 
df^ the south line of the county, was born in 
Switzerland in 1858, and at the age of four- 
teen years came on a prospecting tour to 
America. The first year in this country he was 
in Sonoma County, this State; then he came 




to San Luis Obispo County, attended school 
for fifteen months and returned to Sonoma 
County; there he remained four years engaged 
in farming and dairying, with good success. 
He then came to Guadalupe and was engaged 
with his brother two years on his place on 
the Oso Flaco, then settled on his present 
property just across the line, the Santa Maria 
River separating San Luis Obispo and Santa 
Barbara counties. There he has 850 acres of 
very rich land. His residence is a beautiful 
house, surrouded by a handsome lawn. 

He was married in 1884, to Miss Bonetti, 
and has three children. 



W. SALZMAN, of Lompoc, was born 
in Germany, in 1833. His father 
was a weaver by trade, and also 
owned a small farm. Mr. Salzman learned 
the trade of a mason and plasterer, at Hes- 
sen-Cassel, where he served a three-years 
apprenticeship. He then traveled three 
years and worked in Hanover, Hamburg and 
Bremen, which was considered necessary be- 
fore one became a finished artisan. In 1856 
he came to the United States, first working 
on Long Island, about Babylon, at his trade; 
then in the fall of 1858 he left for California, 
by the Isthmus of Panama. After arrival 
he went to Sacramento Valley, where he 
passed one year, and through an accidental 
injury he was admitted to the Marine Hos- 
pital at San Francisco. After recovering he 
worked on a milk ranch at the Presidio, until 
1860, when he went to the mines in Tuo- 
lumne County, remaining ten years in that 
locality. In 1870 he went to Los Angeles, 
and resumed his trade, and in 1873 went to 
Santa Barbara, where he contracted, and did 
the plastering of the Arlington Hotel, Crane's 
Hall, and many of the residences. In 1876 



416 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



he came to Lompoc Valley, and bought 460 
acres in the San Pasqual Canon and foot- 
hills, mainly grazing land, except about live 
acres in fruit. He keeps about sixty head 
of cattle, and several brood mares, and has a 
good apiary of 100 stands of bees. 

Mr. Salzman was married at Lompoc, in 
1880, to Miss Amelia Kriegel, a native of 
Germany, who came direct to California to 
perform the marriage vows. They have five 
children. Mr. Salzman still works at his 
trade about town, and also carries on the 
ranch. 

.ID . ,, 5), 



G. REDRUP was born in Cleveland, 
Ohio, February 29, 1844. His father, 
J Joseph Redrup, was a native of Eng- 
land, born in 1813, came to America when a 
boy iifteen years of age, and lived in the 
United States sixty years. Mr. Redrup's 
mother, Evaline (Robinson) Redrup, was born 
in the State of New York, in 1814. They 
had a family of eight children, the subject of 
this sketch being the fifth. He received his 
education in the public schools of Mansfield, 
Ohio, and in 1872 became a book-keeper, 
holding that position five years. He then 
engaged in business for himself, dealing in 
machinery for nine years. In 1881 he mar- 
ried Mary E. C. Brown, a native of .New 
Jersey. Mrs. Redrup, having poor health, 
preceded her husband to California, hoping 
to receive benefits. She purchased a valuable 
tract of land in Ventura, which, if it had not 
been for difficulty with the title, would have 
sold for a fortune during the past five years. 
Since Mr. Redrup's residence in Ventura he 
has been engaged in building, and has erected 
a number of houses. Since the title to their 
land has been settled, he is carrying on farm- 



ing operations. Their property is in a fine 
location and will soon be very valuable. 

Mr. Redrup is a member of the Baptist 
Church, in Ohio, and his wife is a Presby- 
terian. In politics he is a Republican. 



gjLBRIDGE BALL, of Arroyo Grande, 
was born in Fleming County, Ken- 
tucky, in 1833. His father, who died 
in 1861, kept a tobacco plantation, on which 
Elbridge lived until he was sixteen years of 
age. From 1849 to 1853 he was a farmer 
in Kane County, Illinois; and then, "enticed 
by the wafture of a golden lure," he came to 
California and spent a year in the mines, 
however with but little success. He then 
went to Scott Valley to begin farming, but 
was limited in his operations by the scarcity 
and high price of agricultural implements. 
He made his own plow. The winter of 
1852-'53 was a hard one for the farmers. 
Provisions were costly, salt being $16 a 
pound, and everybody was living on what 
he could get cheap. Mr. Ball lived in Scott 
Valley ten years, and then moved to Butte 
Creek, where he lived until 1884. At that 
place he still owns a ranch of 1,000 acres, in 
partnership with his brother, on which they 
raise cattle and horses and are conspicuously 
successful. In 1884 Mr. Ball came to San 
Luis Obispo County, since which time he 
has resided on a ranch of thirty-two acres in 
the Arroyo Grande Valley, engaged in farm- 
ing and fruit-raising. He came here in the 
first place for the sake of his health. He is 
a bachelor. He was personally acquainted 
with the Modoc Indians, and lived for some 
time among them. During the Modoc war, 
he was often thrown in contact with Captain 
Jack and Scar-faced Charley — the celebrated 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



417 




warrior chiefs — and he knew them well. He 
was a witness of the celebrated three-days 
fight between these Indians and the United 
States troops, in which the redskins were 
victorious. 

WALLACE DYER, of Lompoc, wa, 
born in Albany County, New Yorks 
in 1825. His father was a farmer, 
and a stanch Republican, dying in Febru- 
ary, 1861, and casting his last presidential 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. His grandfather, 
Charles Dyer, was a Colonel in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and at the battle of Newport his 
horse was shot from under him, althongh not 
being wounded himself. Mr. Dyer's grand- 
mother, a Miss Hazard, was an own cousin 
of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. 

Wallace Dyer, our subject, was educated 
at the common schools, and then learned the 
trade of millwright, which he followed for 
twenty years. In 1852 he was married, at 
Greenville, New York, to Miss Mary Vin- 
cent, and they lived on the homestead of 100 
acres, where Mr. Dyer carried on farming. 
In 1863 they moved to a fifty-acre farm, in 
the same county, where he farmed iintil 1875, 
when he sold both places and came to Cali 
fornia, settling at Santa Cruz. He bought 
fifteen acres in the city limits, and 125 acres 
adjoining, in Scott's Valley. In 1881 he was 
elected Alderman, by the Republican party, 
serving two years. He resided at Santa Cruz 
until 1884, when he sold his property and 
came to Lompoc, and bought two blocks on 
Second street, and has since bought four 
blocks on H street. The Second street prop- 
erty he cleared of brush and timber, and is 
improved with two substantial residences. In 
1888 he gave the Presbyterian society a 
church lot, 60 x 80 feet, and then drew the 



plans, and performed the most of the work 
on the chxirch structure, the only expense to 
the society being the material. Mr. Dyer 
has been in no active business in Lompoc, 
except improving his property. In April, 
1889, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and 
the same year was appointed Recorder, by 
the Board of Aldermen. 

Mr. Dyer has tw r o sons, Frank Marshall 
Dyer, who still farms in Green County, New 
York, and A. H. Oyer, who has a fine ranch 
across the river, north of town. 

.c^i.+yHi-^-Mg-.ii-|w>oi 



fOSEPH DIMOCK, one of the thrifty 
and successful ranchers northeast of 
Lompoc, was born in Newport, Hants 
County, Nova Scotia, in September, 1839. 
His father was a farmer and blacksmith, from 
whom Joseph learned the trade, and with 
whom he worked until 1861, when he came 
to California, by the Panama route. He ar- 
rived in San Francisco in May, and after a 
few months at Watsonville, he settled at San 
Jose, and carried on a blacksmith business 
until 1874, except one y«ar, 1864, which he 
passed in Idaho. Mr. Lick, of observatory 
fame, was a patron of his shop at San Jose. 
In 1874 Mr. Dimock was among the first 
settlers in Lompoc, where he opened a shop 
and carried on business for three years. In 
1876 he bought his present ranch of 160 
acres, at the foot of the hills, northern part of 
the valley. During the past six years forty 
acres of his valley land has been washed away 
by the Santa Ynez River; he now has eighty 
acres of fine land, under a high state of cul- 
tivation, and about twelve acres in fruit, 
mainly of winter apples, though a full variety 
of deciduous fruits for family use. Apples 
are the main crop, which do very well, and 
about half of the orchard is now in bearing. 



418 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



He plants fifty acres to beans, with an average 
yield of one ton to the acre. He raises a 
great many horses, both draft and trotting 
stock, and is one of the most successful 
ranchers of the valley. 

Mr. Dimock was married at Gilroy, Santa 
Clara County, in 1868, to Miss Matilda A. 
Drake, a native of Iowa. They have two 
children, Shubael F. and Sadie A. The 
father and mother of Mr. Dimock are both 
living, at the ages of seventy-seven and 
seventy-two years respectively, and the winter 
of 1889 and 1890 they passed in California. 

—— <<»ii-tS-i*i-%Mf-»-j+<i' l " — 



fOHN McGLASHAN, a citizen of th e 
village of Arroyo Grande, was born in 
1835, in Scotland. His parents emigrated 
with their family to Fulton County, New 
York, in 1843; and John was therefore raised 
in the Empire State, receiving his education in 
an old log school-house. Until twenty-three 
years of age he lived on his father's farm ; 
and then, in the year 1858, he crossed the 
plains to Las Vegas, New Mexico, then a 
small settlement. Next he mined for a time 
in Colorado, and then came on to California, 
in the fall of 1858. At first he engaged in 
the mason's trade, which he learned in New 
York State. In 1875 he began farming in 
the Arroyo Grande, where he now lives. 
He has sixty-six acres on the Monte, prin- 
cipally in beans, and is doing well. He has 
been successful in almost everything that he 
has attempted to raise out of the soil on his 
place, fruit and vegetables being especially 
productive. He took a premium at the 
county fairs in 1889, on the white radish, 
the weight of which is recorded as being 
seventeen and a half pounds. 

Mr. McGlashan was married in 1865, to 
Miss Hooker, and has four sons: John, who 



is now married and farming: on the college 
grant at Santa Ynez; David, Joseph and 
Charles, — all at home. 



• l ti i > 




L. ROSS was born in Virginia, De- 
cember 2, 1845, being one of a 
13 family of eight children. His 
father, a farmer by occupation, is still living. 
Remaining at his home until the age of 
eighteen years, he then enlisted in the Con- 
federate army, in 1863, joining the Fifty-first 
Virginia Regiment, Company D. Mr. Ross 
took part in several important engagements, 
among them was the retreat before Sheridan, 
during his famous run, which but a short 
time previous had almost been a great vic- 
tory for the Confederate troops. After the 
war Mr. Ross spent a year at home, and fin- 
ished his education in a town in North Caro- 
He now returned to his home in Vir- 



ima. 



ginia, where he remained until 1869, in that 
year starting for the West. He spent a year 
in Kentucky and Tennessee, and in 1870 
reached California. Taking up some land in 
Tulare County, he located there for four 
years, at the end of which time he disposed 
of his property. Since then this land has 
proved to be very valuable, and had Mr. 
Ross held on to it, it would have been a rich 
holding. Frequent attacks of chills and fever 
drove him to the coast and in 1875 he located 
in Cambria, where he was eno;ao-ed in far in - 
ing and dairying for three years. In connec- 
tion with his brother, he owned some valuable 
stock. In 1882 he came to his present ranch, 
located on the Corral de Piedra Rancho. 
Mr. Ross has 1,240 acres, upon which he is 
engaged in dairying and stock-raising. This 
property is beautifully situated, has consider- 
able oak timber, and is well adapted for stock- 
raising and diversified farming. The climate 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



419 



here is delightful. The frequent cool winds 
that are felt on the other side of the coast 
hills are not noticed in this valley. Mr. Koss 
is unmarried. 

. t^g^^JS!*^. 



jAYID A. DANA, of Nipomo, was horn 
at that place August 27, 1851. His 
share of the large property left hy his 
father is a pretty ranch of 660 acres at the 
foot of the hills a mile from the village of 
Nipomo, and here he has a valuable dairy, to 
which he now devotes his entire time, having 
abandoned general farm work some time ago. 
Like all his brothers, he received a good edu- 
cation, attending for three years the college 
at Santa Ynez. He is a member of Nipomo 
Parlor, No. 123, N. S. G. W., and is now 
president of the same. He was married in 
1885 to Miss C. Rojas, and has two children. 






kJAUL BRADLEY, an early pioneer of 
' California, who surmounted the trials and 
disappointments of the early days, and 
whose broad acres in the Santa MariaValley ex- 
tend for miles, was born in Derbyshire, Eng- 
land, in 1822. At the early age of fifteen years 
he began working in the mines, on railroads 
and steam engines, and being mechanically in- 
clined he soon became an expert engineer. 
In 1846 he emigrated to the United States, 

and was engaged about New York until Jan- 
es f 

nary, 1850, when he shipped on the steamer 
Carolina for California, going around Cape 
Horn. The steamer was engaged to ply on 
the Pacific coast and took no passengers until 
arriving at Panama, and from there on was 
overcrowded, and arrived in San Francisco on 
May 6, 1850. The subject of this sketch then 
went to the mines at Stringtown on the 



Feather River, but soon became disgusted 
and returned to San Francisco. He then 
made several trips on steamships to Panama, 
and in the spring of 1851 began a market 
garden at San Jose, and also ran a ten-ton 
sloop to San Francisco, carrying passengers 
and freight. In the spring of 1852 he shipped 
on the Golden Gate, a new steamer, for Pan- 
ama, and spent eight months there learning 
the Spanish language. He then took a cruise 
down the coast, in the employ of the Southern 
American Steamship Company, running be- 
tween Callao and Valparaiso, trading with the 
natives, which was quite profitable. He then 
returned to San Jose, where he had left his 
oxen and effects, and went to Monterey Coun- 
ty, where he found 150 acres of very desirable 
Government land, where he located, stuck his 
stakes and remained until 1868. Mr. Bradley 
then began improving and developing his 
ranch, where he first raised chickens and beans, 
but he said the coons destroyed his chickens, 
and he had to sleep with his beans to keep 
away the grazing cattle. The country was 
wild, unsettled and filled with outlaws, so that 
guns had to be taken into the held as a means 
of defense; but he still persisted and de- 
veloped a very fine ranch. He also kept some 
cattle, but they became of no value except for 
hides and tallow, and he went into the sheep 
business, keeping about 2,000 head, and also 
a large number of hogs. His place became 
highly improved with good fences and build- 
ings, and he sold it in the spring of 1868 for 
$5,250, which with his stock represented his 
accumulations. Mr. Bradley then came to 
Santa Maria in the fall of 1868, and bought 
480 acres of school lands, and has since added 
to the amount of 4,000 acres. He still con- 
tinued sheep raising, and in 1870 had a flock 
of 7,000 head, but they became very cheap 
and were only valued for their wool, and he 
reduced his stock, although he has always had 



420 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



a few, and lie now lias sixty very choice ones 
of South Down and Shropshire Down strains, 
which are a high grade and valuable for 
either mutton or fleece, as they do better than 
in their native Downs. He also keeps a num- 
ber of cattle and about forty horses. He also 
rents land for both farm and pasture purposes, 
tilling only his home place of 160 acres, 
which is highly improved, with eighty acres 
set to fruit. In 1888 he built an elegant 
two- story residence. 

In 1870 Mr. Bradley returned to England 
to visit his family and friends, and was there 
married to Mrs. Elizabeth Spencer, and they 
have one child, Ellen. 



... ^^m^I^,^. 

H. DYER, a farmer of Lompoc, was 
born in Albany County, New York, 
in 1856. His father, Wallace Dyer, 
whose biography elsewhere appears, was a 
farmer, owning 150 acres, and in 1863 moved 
to Greene County, where he continued at 
farming. A. H. Dyer lived at home until 
1875, when, with his father, he came to 
California, and settled at Santa Cruz, where 
they bought town property and mountain 
land, covered with timber. In 1877 our sub- 
ject came to Lompoc and rented land for 
general farming, and also ran a threshing 
machine with Charles biobbins. He bought 
his present ranch of 245 acres in 1883, and 
was married the same year at Lompoc to Miss 




Lulu Wilkins, a native of California. Mr. 
Dyer has about thirty acres in fruit, mainly 
winter apples, which are doing finely. Vines 
are also looking well, and his few orange trees 
show a rapid and healthy growth. He has 
also 300 walnut trees, which are doing well. 
He carries on general farming, but beans and 
mustard are the principal crops, with barley 



for hay and grain. He keeps twenty head of 
horses, and has bred some fine draft stock. 

He has one daughter, Lulu May, born in 
August, 1884. Mr. Dyer is a member of 
Lompoc Lodge, No.. 262, F. & A. M., and 
Lompoc Lodge, No. 248, I. (). O. F. 



HOMAS ROBINSON, one of the 
prominent ranchers of the Lompoc 
Valley, was born in Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, July 1, 1822. He worked at home 
with his father, at farming, until 1847, when 
he came to the United States, first settling at 
Buffalo, New York, and there learned the 
trade of boat-builder and ship-carpenter, re- 
maining about four years, when he returned 
to England. In 1851 he was married in 
Yorkshire, England, and the first year lived 
midway between Hull and Grimsby, an old 
and historic spot, as from that vicinity came 
the first Puritans to our then barren shores. 
Mr. Robinson was engaged in steam-thresh- 
ing until 1862, running five engines and six 
threshers, as the business continued every 
month of the year. In 1862 he returned to 
the United States, and settled in Greenfield 
Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, where 
he farmed one year, then went to Buffalo to 
work at his trade for a short time, then to 
Askhum, Illinois, where he bought eighty 
acres and remained until 1870. In the latter 
year he came to California, first settling in 
Sonoma County, taking up Government 
claims and farming for three years, then to 
Petaluma, and in the spring of 1874 came to 
Lompoc to attend the first land sale of the 
colony. He farmed with his son there for 
three years, and then gave up the land, and 
bought 370 acres farther out, of which he 
still owns 310 acres, 225 being tillable. He 
then engaged in the hog business, keeping 



AND VEN1 URA COUNTIES. 



431 



about 250, and also in tbe raising of horses 
and cattle, which he still continues. His 
land was covered with brush and timber, and 
its present clean appearance speaks volumes 
for the energy of a master hand. Mr. and 
Mrs. Robinson have five children, four girls 
and one son. 



j|f RAN CIS ZIBA BRANCH.— The great 
pll land-owners in early times and pioneers, 
~ji^ who were not native Californians, may 
be enumerated in this short list: Francis Z. 
Branch, Isaac J. Sparks, John Wilson, John 
M. Price and William G. Dana. Facts rela- 
tive to the early history of the Branch family 
have been very difficult to obtain, as there are 
no notes in possession of the Branch family. 
Resource is therefore had to the admirable 
collection of sketches by Mr. F. H. Day, 
published in 1859. Mr. Branch was born 
in Scipio, Cayuga County, New York, in the 
year 1803. Both of his grandfathers served 
in the Revolutionary war. His father 
died before he was old enough to appreciate 
a father's care, and, his mother being poor, 
the children were scattered among relatives 
to be reared and educated. At the age of 
eighteen Ziba abruptly left his relatives and 
removed to Buffalo, with the view of making 
his own living. After remaining there some 
time he went on Lake Erie and followed the 
business of sailing for about five years. He 
then went to St. Louis, where he fell in with 
a trading party commanded by Captain 
Savory, and started with them for Santa Fe. 
This was the largest party that had ever 
come through, being composed of 150 men 
and eighty-two wagons. They made the 
journey in safety and reached Santa Fe in 
July, 1830, without having had a single 



skirmish with the Indians, which circum- 
stance was accounted for by the fact that 
Colonel Riley and his party, who had been 
sent out by the Government and who had 
preceded them, had some field-pieces and also 
the first ox-team the Indians had ever seen. 
When the Indians attacked them Colonel 
Riley brought his field-piece to bear upon 
them, of course doing much damage in their 
ranks, and as Mr. Branch and his party had 
ox-teams along they were afraid to attack 
them, as they also had " shooting wagons." 
In the fall of 1830 Mr. Branch joined a trap- 
ping party in the Tulare Valley. They made 
the journey from New Mexico toward Big 
Salt Lake, across the head waters of Red 
River, and struck a stream supposed to be 
the Sevier River, which they followed until 
it emptied into Little Salt Lake, near the 
California mountains. It being; the month 
of November, the country was covered with 
snow, and ttiey found it impossible to cross 
the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and conse- 
quently struck off south for Red River. 
They were nine days crossing and had to 
break a path through the snow, which was 
two or three teet deep. They found but few 
beaver and no game, and soon their provis- 
ions gave out. When they started from 
New Mexico they had four oxen, and when 
near Little Salt Lake they killed their last 
ox and then had to subsist upon the flesh of 
their horses and mules, each man being put 
upon short allowances, which at best was 
very poor. 

They traveled along Red River and reach- 
ed the Mohave country, luckily escaping all 
attacks from the hostile tribes of Indians, 
and Anally arrrived safely at San Bernardino, 
California, in February, 1831, and from there 
proceeded to Los Angeles, where the party 
disbanded. After leading a hunter's life for 
three years, Mr. Branch invested his bonds 



422 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



in a grocery store at Santa Barbara, which 
he subsequently sold to A. B. Thompson. 

In 1835 he was married to Dona Manuela 
Corlona, and they settled in San Luis Obispo 
County, where in 1839 he obtained a Spanish 
grant of land of great value. This property 
consisted of 16,954.83 acres located on the 
Arroyo Grande. Mr. Branch afterward be- 
came the owner of much valuable property 
in addition to this, including the Huer- 
Huero, Pizmo and other large tracts, also 
vast herds of horses and cattle. The dry 
years of 1862-'63-'64 proved very disastrous 
to his enormous herds of cattle, numbering in 
1863 over 70,000 head, and as a result he 
lost almost a fortune, when the value of cat- 
tle the year previous is taken into considera- 
tion. Mr. Branch profited by the favorable 
season which followed, though not for a long 
time did he make up for the disaster alluded 
to above. He has held public offices at va- 
rious times, and was pi*ominently identified 
with the affairs of the city and county. The 
public positions which he was called upon to 
fill were frequently important ones, but his 
work was always eminently satisfactory. He 
died at his home on Santa Manuela rancho, 
May 8, 1874, leaving a widow and four sons: 
Ramon, Frank and D. Fred, all of whom, 
with the exception of one, are still alive. 

The splendid adobe house, the home of the 
Branch family, still remains, above and ad- 
joining the home of D. Fred Branch. The 
house is not now occupied, but is in an ex- 
cellent state of preservation, revealing clearly 
the fact that in its day it was a substantial as 
well as a beautiful home. Mr. Branch, like 
many of those early pioneers, reached Cali- 
fornia with nothing but his gun by which to 
make his living. This, however, proved in ' 
his skillful hand to be all the capital he 
needed, as with it he shot otter, the skins of 
which were very valuable, and always brought 



the ready cash in those times. His history 
bears with it a moral. He set out in life 
poor, and by his own energy and activity he 
became rich in the world's goods, and at one 
time was one of the wealthiest men in San 
Luis Obispo County. 



M R. NICOLES, resident at Lompoc, 
Surveyor of Santa Barbara County. 





pq H. NICHOLSON, a careful and practi- 
cal farmer of Santa Maria, was born 
in Winneshiek County, Iowa, in 1856. 
His father was an extensive farmer of that 
period, having 400 acres of land, which he 
farmed to general crops, and was also engaged 
in stock-raising. The subject of this sketch 
received a common-school education, and then 
attended the Cornell Methodist College at 
Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he finished in 
1875. He then farmed on rented land, until 
1878, when he bought a farm of 100 acres in 
the same county. He was married at Ossin, 
Iowa, in 1876, to Miss Agnes Hall, and they 
lived on this farm until 1881, when he sold 
out and came to California, arriving in Santa 
Maria, in May, 1881, and with his uncle, M. 
P. Nicholson, an early settler in the valley, 
they leased a farm of 3,000 acres, where they 
were engaged in raising grain; Mr. Nichol- 
son took charge of the ranch. In 1883 he 
purchased the lease and stock and farmed the 
same tract until 1887, when he purchased 
his present beautiful ranch of 320 acres. In 
1882 they raised from 3,000 acres, 3,300 
sacks of grain, mainly wheat. In addition 
to his present ranch he rents 180 acres, and 
devotes the entire tract of 500acres to grain, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



42:5 



wheat being the main crop. He uses all 
heavy machinery of gang plows, headers and 
steam-threshers, and also does much threshing 
about the valley. He raises stock only for 
ranch purposes. He is making preparations 
for fruit culture, which he will enter quite 
extensively. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson have 
two children, Harry Roland and Edith. Mr. 
Nicholson is a member of Santa Maria 
Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and also a mem- 
ber of the Farmers' Alliance. 



USTAVUS W. RICHARDS, who has 
had an extensive business as civil engi- 
neer,wasborn June 3, 1834, in New York 
city, the son of G. U. Richards, a prominent 
dry-goodg merchant of New York. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was educated at Portland, 
Maine, and there learned his profession, and 
up to 1875 was extensively engaged through 
the Eastern, Middle and Southern States. In 
1865 he was married at Zanesville, Ohio, to 
Miss Eleanor MacLeod, a daughter of Robert 
MacLeod, who was born in Washington, Dis- 
trict of Columbia, July 3, 1815. He was by 
profession a civil engineer, and did a large 
business throughout the East, until December, 
1874, when he came to Lompoc. He bought 
160 acres and farmed until 1878, when he 
sold out and moved to Santa Barbara, where 
he died January 23, 1880. 

The subject of this sketch came to Lom- 
poc in 1885, purchased sixty acres of land, 
and rented other land, and fanned for four 
years. He went to the mines in Arizona 
and for ten years was absent in mining and 
railroad engineering. II is family meanwhile 
resided in Lompoc and Santa Barbara. All 
of the original purchase has been sold, ex- 
cepting ten acres and their residence. Mr. 
and Mrs. Richards have seven children, six 



boys and one girl, all at home. Mr. Rich- 
ards has had a varied experience. 

— ■* , »»' | * 8"8 , |' * <JI 

HOMAS JEFFREYS WILLIAMS, 
Superintendent of Arroyo Grande, Nip- 
^ omo and Los Olivos Lumber Yards, 
generally known as Captain Williams, was 
born in Pennsylvania, of English parents. He 
received a good practical education at his boy- 
hood home, leaving however, at the early acre 
of sixteen years in company with a schoolmate 
for the gold fields of California; they reached 
San Francisco by way of Panama on October 
5, 1853. After a few months' expierence in 
the then small but busy city at the bay, he 
joined his fortunes with others from the Key- 
stone State, in a trip to the mines, arriving 
in Nevada City, Nevada County, in January 
1854. It has been said by many, and the 
Captain says it is true, that this was the year 
of flush times in California. After two years 
of mining in the hills surrounding the city 
of Nevada, Captain Williams, in company 
with a Scotchman by the name of David 
Thorn, established the Nevada Foundry, un- 
der the firm name of Thorn & Williams; they 
were very successful, building many quartz 
and saw mills and hoisting works for deep 
mining. In 1861 Captain Williams sold out to 
Mr. Hugh, and engaged to go to Arizona, to 
superintend reduction works at the Pataco- 
nia mines, for Lieutenant Mowry, the pioneer 
of the Territory. He arrived therein April, 
1862. After a few months successful work- 
ing they were compelled to suspend on ac- 
count of withdrawal of troops from the Ter- 
ritory. After indifferent success in mining 
in northern Sonora, Mexico, for the next 
two years, Captain Williams returned to 
California overland, by the way of Fort 
Yuma, in company with John Archibald, a 



424 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



merchant of Tucson. After a hard trip and 
many narrow escapes from the hostile 
Apaches, they reached Los Angeles in Febru- 
ary 1865, where Captain Williams engaged 
to super' ntend mines for Colonel Rand, a 
gentleman from Boston, who purchased mines 
for a Boston syndicate at Havilah, Kern 
County. He remained here four years, tak- 
ing out upward of half a million dollars in 
bullion. The company suspended work in 
1869, when the Captain entered the field of 
politics, being elected Clerk of the County 
without an opponent, in 1870; resigning be- 
fore his term expired, he purchased a ranch 
and engaged in stock raising. After a few 
years he sold out and returned to the Mecca 
of all old Californians, San Francisco, where 
he received a State appointment. Seven 
years ago he was sent by the Pacific Coast 
Steamship Company to manage their lumber 
business on the line of their railroad, where 
he is still to be found. The Captain has 
three children, two sons and a daughter by a 
former marriage: his second wife who is still 
living was a Miss Hurlburt, of Middlebury, 
Vermont, a near relative of the Rockwells, 
and a direct descendant of the Mayflower 
Pilgrims. Captain Williams' future home 
will be at Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, 
where he has an apricot orchard of sixty 
acres one mile from the town. 






^ENRY CAMILO DANA, engaged in 
raising cattle and sheep in the Nipomo, 
is a son of Captain W. G. Dana (whose 
sketch is given on a subsequent page) and 
nee Maria Josef a Carillo, and was born in 
Santa Barbara, July 14, 1839, one of twenty- 
one children, twelve of whom are now living. 
Mr. Dana has followed ranching all his life, 
on the old homestead. He now has 300 



acres, beautifully situated in the Nipomo. 
He has never been away from Nipomo for 
any length of time, except in 1853, when he 
visited the Eastern States for a year and a 
half, especially New York and Massachusetts. 
He has been Deputy County Clerk of San 
Luis Obispo County, and frequently has been 
Clerk of Election. 

He was married in 1884, to Josephine 
Blake, and has three children. 



*"-'§-'"i*-<^+'~-~ 



fOSEPH KAISER, a prominent real- 
estate dealer of Santa Maria, and Presi- 
dent of Kaiser Land and Fruit Company, 
was born in the city of Mobile, Alabama, 
April 10, 1858. His father, Meyer Kaiser, 
was a wholesale and retail grocer of that city, 
who died in 1861. His mother and family 
came to San Luis Obispo in 1870, and estab- 
lished their residence. Our subject was 
educated at Mobile and San Luis Obispo, and 
finished at Heald's Business College at San 
Francisco. In 1874 he began business as 
book-keeper for his brother, at the general 
merchandise store of L. M. Kaiser & Co , at 
Guadalupe, continuing until 1880, when, as- 
sociated with his brother, the general mer- 
chandise store of Kaiser Bros, was established 
at Santa Maria. They continued until 1882, 
when Blochman & Cerf were admitted, and 
the firm changed to Kaiser Bros. & Co., 
which dissolved in 1884, and the business 
was sold. There was then organized the 
Kaiser Land & Fruit Company, of which our 
subject was elected president. They have 
300 acres west of town, known as Fair Lawn, 
which has been subdivided and platted into 
lots from two and a half to forty acres, offer- 
ing special inducements to settlers. They 
also have 2,700 acres of ranch property, 
suitable for fruit or farming. In 1887 they 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



425 



began setting out trees, and have planted 130 
acres to English walnuts and ninety acres to 
French prunes. The ranch property is leased, 
and under cultivation in general farm crops. 
Mr. Kaiser has been treasurer of the Santa 
Maria Stock and Agricultural Association 
since its organization in 1886, his term of 
office having just expired. He is a member 
of Hesperian Lodge, No. 264, F. & A. M., 
and of Santa Maria Lodge, No. 90, K. of P. 



fAMES MADISON GRAVES was born 
in San Luis Obispo, December 17, 1858, 
and is the son of William J. and Soledad 
(Pico) Graves. At an early age he attended 
school in his native city and later was a 
student at Berkeley. In 1881 was appointed 
Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Oaks; afterward 
for a time was employed in the State Peni- 
tentiary. After the death of his father, in 
December, 1884, he resigned his position 
there aud returned to his old home in San 
Luis Obispo. He then accepted a position 
in the sheriff's office, as deputy, and then 
Under Sheriff, acting in the latter capacity 
for three years. Mr. Graves is at present 
City Marshal, an office he has held three 
years, being twice elected. 

He was married September 17, 1888, to 
Miss Martha de la Guerra, by whom he has 
two children. 



iEORGE F. PUCKER, a rancher of 
- Lompoc, was born in Saline County, 
Missouri, in 1851. His father was a 
farmer and a native of Virginia, and in 1852 
emigrated across the plans to this undevel- 
oped country, rich in minerals, called Cali- 
fornia, lie settled near Santa Clara on a 

27 



farm of 160 acres, and there engaged in gen- 
eral farming. The subject of this sketch was 
brought up on a farm, and in 1876 came to 
Lompoc, and very wisely selected fifty-six 
acres of rich loam soil, east of town, near the 
foot-hills, which he improved, and where he 
has since resided. He then devoted his time 
and energies to cultivating the land. He 
also rents eighty acres, and plants about 
sixty acres to beans and the balance to bar- 
ley. He now has a finely developed ranch. 

Mr. Rucker was married in Lompoc, in 
1878, to Miss Susan Frances Barker; they 
have four children, who are now in school. 
Mr. Rucker is a member of Lompoc Lodge, 
No. 262, F. & A. M. 



— -«o» ,n+\ 



►*-»£< 



H|OBERT CARR, a rancher, and one of 
|\f the early settlers of Lompoc Valley, 
4 °^$& was born in Lancashire, Eno-land, Janu- 
ary 1, 1833. His father was connected with 
railroad work, and was killed on the Liver- 
pool Railroad, while in service. Robert 
entered the English army in 1855, when 
England, France and Turkey were allied 
against Russia, and they were in the first 
attack on Sebastopol, on June 18, 1855, and 
remained until alter. the first surrender, after 
a siege of eleven months. He then came 
with his regiment to Kingston, Canada West, 
where they were stationed one winter. In 
September, 1857, he was discharged, and he 
came to the United States, settling in Jeffer- 
son County, New York, where he remained 
two years, working on a farm. In the fall 
of 1859 he left for California, by water and 
the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San 
Francisco January 9, 1860. He worked on 
a farm in Alameda County until 1864, and 
then rented one year. In 1864 he bought 
a ranch of 320 acres in the Livermore Valley, 



42G 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



where lie raised wheat and harley; he re- 
mained until 1875, when he sold out and 
came to Lorapoc. Mr. Carr then bought 
eighty acres in the northwest part of the 
town, which was covered with brush and 
timber, but he has since cleared it and now 
plants thirty acres each to beans and mustard. 
He lias built a house and farm buildings, and 
has five acres in a variety of fruits. 

Mr. Carr was married in Jefferson County, 
New York, in May, 1859, to Miss Martha 
Rawley, a native of Long Island, Canada. 
Mr. Carr keeps six horses, and breeds for 
carriage purposes from a fine Bashaw mare. 



AVID CO PEL AND NORCROSS was 
born in Farmington, Maine, July 12, 
1829. His boyhood was spent at home 
and he received his education at Abbott's 
School in Farmington. Coming to the State 
of California in 1851, he went at once into 
business at Sacramento, where he remained 
for a time. He afterward went to Arizona, 
being there interested in quicksilver mines. 
In 1865 he was in Monterey County, where 
he was engaged in the sheep business with 
Colonel Hollister. About 1867 he came 
to the county of San Luis Obispo, continu- 
ing sheep-raising at Mariano Springs. A 
stanch Republican and an active and enthusi- 
astic worker, Mr. Norcross received in 1871 
the nomination of his party for the office of 
Sheriff and was elected. In 1873 he was re- 
elected by a largely increased majority. At 
the conclusion of his term of office, he ac- 
quired the ranch known as Juerta de la Rom- 
ualda, a few miles north of San Luis Obispo, 
where he resided until within a short time. 
This property was formerly held by Senator 
Stanford. 

In 1872 Mr. Norcross was married to Miss 



Elida Woods, of San Jose, a sister of Mr. C. 
H. Phillips, of San Luis Obispo. Mrs. Nor- 
cross formerly lived in "Wisconsin. By this 
marriage there have been four children born, 
all living at present. 

Mr. Norcross died suddenly of heart dis- 
ease, August 10, 1889. It was on returning 
to his home, then in the city, where, at the 
usual hour he had dined, that he complained 
of a pain in the region of his heart. His 
wife remained with him, and while they were 
conversing he gasped and settled back on his 
pillow unconscious, having died instantly. 
While the actual cause of his death will not, 
perhaps, be positively known, it is presumed 
by physicians to have been occasioned by a 
blood clot suspending the action of the heart. 
Few men in the county are more widely 
known or more popular than was David C. 
Norcross. Generous in disposition, genial in 
manner, devoted to his friends, a kind, faith- 
ful and loving father and husband, he is 
greatly mourned by his family and will be 
long remembered with sincere regret by his 
many friends. 



"^-g^it^*^**-*- 

T. RUCKER, a prominent dealer in 
and trainer of trotting horses, was 
° born in Saline County, Missouri, in 
1846. In 1852 his father moved his family, 
across the plains to California, settling near 
Santa Clara, on a farm of 160 acres. Our 
subject lived at home until 1867, when he 
rented a farm of 200 acres and was engaged 
in raising wheat, which he carried on suc- 
cessfully. In 1875 he came to Lompoc and 
bought a one-half interest in the black- 
smith shop of Joseph Dimmick, which they 
carried on for eighteen months. Then, in 
partnership, they bought a ranch of 128 
acres, which, after working for two years 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



427 



they divided. Mr. Rucker has since added 
to his ranch to the amount of 122 acres, where 
he carries on general farming, making beans 
a leading crop, planting forty acres. All of 
the land is under cultivation. During late 
years Mr. Rucker has been giving his time 
and attention to the breeding of a higli grade 
of borses, breeding from the old Percheron 
horse " Dexter," which he owned, and be has 
secured some very valuable colts, and now 
has about twenty-seven head of horses. He 
has charge of the race-track and stables and 
gives bis entire attention to the training of 
trotting horses. 

Mr. Rucker was married in Santa Clara 
County, in 1870, to Miss Emma Drake, a 
native of Iowa. They have five children, 
three of whom are now living. 



- " ■ "| * 2"I < 




E. SHEPHERD was born in Fair- 
field, Iowa, June 30, 1842. He is 
I® the son of Thomas Shepherd, a 
native of Ohio, who followed the business of 
tanning. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish. 
Mr. Shepherd's mother, Sarah S. (Edgar) 
Shepherd, was born in Ohio. Her parents 
were formerly residents of Pennsylvania, and 
her remote ancestors were English people. 
The subject of this sketch is one of a family 
of five children, and he was reared and edu- 
cated in Iowa. His legal education was ob- 
tained at Oskaloosa. After his admission to 
the bar, be at once began the practice of hip 
profession When Mr. Lincoln was elect- 
ed to the Presidency, Mr. Shepherd was 
appointed Postmaster of bis town, and also 
held the office under Grant's administration. 
During the campaign in which Mr. Greeley 
was a candidate for President, Mr. Shepherd 
was on the Greeley ticket for Elector from 
his district, and he was defeated by General 



Weaver, who was then the candidate on the 
opposing ticket. 

In 1873 Mr. Shepherd came to California, 
and, in Ventura, engaged in the newspaper 
business, and conducted the Ventura Signal 
for five years. Since then he has been en- 
gaged in the practice of law, and is one of 
the leading attorneys of the city, being asso- 
ciated with Mr. Blackstock. The firm stands 
high and enjoys a lucrative practice. Mr. 
Shepherd has a quick preception, a strong, 
resolute wilT, good reasoning faculties and 
fine argumentative ability, and is a fluent 
speaker. He is wide awake to the interests 
of his chosen city, and contributes his full 
share to its success. The side on which he 
arrays himself has in him a powerful advo- 
cate. 

He was n rated in marriage to Miss Theo- 
dosia B. Hall, daughter of Augustus Hall, 
formerly a member of Congress from Iowa 
— a man of rare ability — and late Chief Jus- 
tice of Nebraska. Mrs. Shepherd was born 
in Keosauqua, Iowa, October 14, 1845. 
Until 1873, except when in Batavia, New 
York, at school, she resided in Iowa and 
Nebraska. In that year, with her husband, 
W. E. Shepherd, and family, she came to 
Southern California, and soon found a home 
in Ventura. From those who know her well 
we learn sbe has been prominently connected 
with every movement for the good of the 
town and county; that it was greatly due to 
her and her lady co-workers that the town 
has a fine library of 3,000 volumes. 

In addition to the care and education of 

her children, Mrs. Shepherd has, in the past 

five years, established a prosperous business, 

and formed in that business the nucleus of 

an important industry. When, fiveyearsago, 

she told her friends that she intended to grow 

6eeds and bulbs and to sell them in large 

o 

quantities to Eastsrn dealers, she was met 



428 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



with good-natured but incredulous smiles. 
Knowing something of the magnitude of the 
demand, and having unhounded confidence in 
the soil and climate of the country, and be- 
ing possessed with a passionate love of flow- 
ers, she went to work as the pioneer in this 
work — at first in a very small way. Her first 
green-house cost only the small sum of $2.50, 
and from year to year, without capital, she 
increased her facilities and trade. Now she 
keeps three men at work the year round; and 
has under her control, in addition to her beanti 
ful two acre tract in town, five acres planted to 
Calla lilies, smilax and other rare plants and 
bulbs. 

Mrs. Shepherd modestly attributes her suc- 
cess, which is really remarkable, to the glori- 
ous sunshine and soil of Southern California. 
Her friends insist, however, that her success 
is due to her pluck, perseverance, push and 
energy. They say not one in a thousand 
would have withstood the rebuffs of dealers, 
the discouragements, the disappointments, 
the lack of capital, the mishaps, the losses 
and the derisive smiles of friends. She was 
induced to go into the business through the 
advice and encouragement of the late Peter 
Henderson, of New York. He wrote to her 
a very kind letter, saying Southern Cali- 
fornia had the soil and climate for the pro- 
duction of bulbs and seeds and that he be- 
lieved in fifty years it would grow seeds for 
the world. Mrs. Shepherd is a slight woman, 
weighing a little over 100 pounds. She has 
unusual executive ability. Her business 
correspondence now is very large, which she 
conducts herself, besides replying to letters 
from many women who write to her for ad- 
vice as to how to go to work to do for them- 
selves what she has done in her line. She 
takes a just pride in being known as the 
pioneer flower-seed and bulb grower of the 
Coast, and is entitled to all the praise she 



has received from the press of the State and 
from the many correspondents who have 
visited her grounds and written up her work. 

When the writer went through her grounds 
and green and bath houses and packing 
house, heard her tell in her quiet, unassuming 
way, how she had worked, saw her directing 
her employes; considered what a vast amount 
of labor she must have personally pei formed, 
and what a tax on her memory it must be to 
hold at her tongue's end the names of her 
endless variety of plants and bulbs and 
shrubs; and then entered her parlors and saw 
her there with her husband, her daughters 
and son, the queen of the household, whom 
they all honored; saw there the evidence of 
culture and refinement, — when he saw all 
this, he gave a hearty assent to every word of 
praise so generously bestowed by her many 
friends in her home town. 

Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have an interesting 
family of four children: Augustus H. and 
Myrtle, born in Iow T a; and Madge and Eda, 
in Ventura. 

Mr. Shepherd enjoys the distinction of be- 
ing a veteran of the late war. In his coun- 
try's first call for volunteers, he enlisted in 
the Third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for six 
months, and afterward in the three years' 
service. A part of the time he was in the 
postal service, by order of General Grant, 
under General A. H. Markland. He is a 
member of the G. A. R., and his political 
views are Democratic. 

~-^-S»~»£~gi-'-~ 

fOHN SPENCE, of Santa Barbara, , is a 
native of England, born at Little Grans- 
den, Cambridgeshire, January 14, 1848. 
He remained there until 1870, when he emi- 
grated to America. He was, at fourteen 
years of age, apprenticed to learn the busi- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



429 



ness of a landscape gardener, which he thor- 
oughly mastered, and upon his arrival in 
America assumed charge of the gardens of 
one of the wealthiest men of Norwich, Con- 
necticut. He there read of the natural 
beauties of California, and in 1875 came to 
Santa Barbara. He leased the ground, now 
comprising his present home, for five years, 
which he planted to fruit trees, small shrub- 
ery, flowers and palms. The sale of stock 
from this business brought him a handsome 
income, and he gradually added to it orna- 
mental and fruit trees and shrubery. He 
also engaged quite extensively in the raising 
of Pampas plumes, and is a pioneer in this 
now important industry. At the New Or- 
leans Exposition of 1885 he made an exhibit 
of 10,000 plumes, which attracted much at- 
tention, a portion of them being dyed in 
various beautiful hues, and most tastefully 
arranged. His design of the American flag, 
which spanned the California exhibit, a rain- 
bow thirty- six feet in length and a pyramid 
thirty feet in height, were special features of 
the exposition. He had charge of the Santa 
Barbara County exhibit, and did himself 
great credit, a; well as the county which he 
represented, in his management of affairs. 
He is one of the active members of the Santa 
Barbara Horticultural Society. 

Mr. Spence was married in England, to 
Miss Helen F. Reeve. She is an enthusi- 
astic admirer of flowers, and takes a lively 
interest in flower culture. They have four 
chillren, and one of the most beautiful homes 
in Southern California. 



J. YOUNG, a rancher and Deputy As- 
sessor for the city of Lompoc, was 
I* born in Shiawassee County, Michigan, 
in 1839. His father was a farmer and carpen- 



ter, and moved to Clinton County in 1849, 
where he continued his trade. Our subject 
learned the trade of carpenter with his father, 
and worked with him until the breaking out 
of the war, when he enlisted in August, 1861, 
at St. Johns, Clinton County, in Company 
D, First Michigan Cavalry, under Colonel 
Thornton F. Broadhead, for three years. He 
was discharged January 1, 1862, and then re- 
enlisted in August following in the Fifth 
Michigan Cavalry, under Colonel J. T. Cope- 
land, the regiment being with the Army of the 
Potomac until June, 1868, when he joined 
General Custer's brigade. Their first heavy 
battle was at Gettysburg, and they were in 
every heavy battle fought by the Army of the 
Potomac. Mr. Young was taken prisoner 
near Richmond June 18, 1864, and whs taken 
to Richmond. He was sent to Andersbn- 
ville, where he remained three months, and 
suffered every possible deprivation in diet, 
being confined to poor food and water. He 
was then sent to the prison at Florence, 
South Carolina, where he was kept three 
months; there the water was fair but they 
had but little to eat. He was paroled in 
December, but remained as a prisoner until 
January 1, when he was sent home to Michi- 
gan, having lost seventy-five pounds during 
his six months' imprisonment. The exchange 
of prisoners was made in April, and then Mr. 
Young returned to his regiment, and they 
moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where 
they were discharged July 3, 1865. 

After a visit to his home he went to Chi- 
cago, where he worked at his trade of carpen- 
ter and builder about seven years, when he 
came to California, arriving at San Francisco 
January 2, 1873. He then spent one year 
working at his trade in Monterey County, and 
in the spring of 1874 came to the Jonato 
Rancho, owned by R. T. Buell, to superin- 
tend building, and after completion he went 



430 



SANTA BAIIBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



to Lompoc and bought two blocks, built a 
house, and followed his trade of contractor. 
He then sold out, and in 1883 bought forty 
acres northeast of town, which he has since 
cleared and improved by building a house and 
planting a small orchard, and he now inter- 
ests himself in the cultivation and improve- 
ment of his ranch, raising the general crops 
of the valley. 

Mr. Young was married in St. Johns, 
Michigan, July 1, 1867, to Miss Naomi J. 
Everett, and they have nine children. Mr. 
Young was appointed Deputy Assessor in the 
spring of 1889, under Frank Smith, whose 
biography appears elsewhere. 



•*&■ 



*£*-*£*fj**- 



|EARLES L. SAUNDERS, one of the 
prominent developers of Lompoc, was 
born in London, England, in 1827. His 
father was a carpenter and boat-builder, and 
moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, 
in 1841. In 1844 our subject was appren- 
ticed to a carriage-maker at Brunswick, Ohio, 
where he remained four years. He then 
worked in an adjoining town until 1849, 
when he went to Independence, Missouri, and 
worked one year there. May 1, 1850, he 
started across the plains for California, with 
a mule team. They made a comfortable and 
rapid trip, and after three months arrived at 
Hangtown. He then went to the mines on 
American River, and in 1852 to the Yuba 
River, where he began trading, opened a 
store and boarding-house, which he contin- 
ued until 1855. Mr. Saunders then went to 
Salmon River in Klamath County, where he 
kept a store and traded, and built two bridges 
across the Klamath River, remaining until 
1864. He then came to Salinas, where he 
rented 2,100 acres of land and engaged in 
stock-raising, and also conducted a dairy of 



seventy-five cows. In 1876 he came to Lom- 
poc, and bought thirty acres in the corpora- 
tion, which he improved by building a house 
and setting out a small orchard. His family 
remained here while he managed the wharf 
down at the sea. In 1881 he sold out to 
Goodall & Perkins. In 1880 Mr. Saunders 
bought the lot on the corner of H street and 
Ocean avenue, and in 1881 he erected a two- 
story building for a hall and store, opening 
the store himself with a full stock of general 
merchandise. He continued this business 
until May, 1889, when he sold out. In 1885 
he bought 387-J acres in the San Miguelito 
Canon, where he raises horses and cattle, and 
also carries on general farming. In 1887 he 
bought fifteen acres, his present residence 
property, where he built a house and barns. 
In 1889 he built the two-story hotel, 50x140 
feet, on Ocean avenue, called the Saunders 
Hotel. 

Mr. Saunders was married in Klamath 
County, in 1856, to Miss Jane A. Swan, a 
native of New York. They have five children. 



►■j-m-3-"JSm.-«o» 



fOHN a. PRELL is a native of the Old 
World, having been born near Leipsic, 
Germany, in 1837. At the age of fifteen 
years he was apprenticed, for a term of three 
years, to learn the trade of cooper. His 
father having previously died, in 1855, his 
mother with brothers and sisters emigrated 
to the United States and settled at South 
Bend, Indiana. The subject of this sketch 
worked at brick-molding until 1860, when he 
sought the mining regions of Pike's Peak, but 
after a brief experience of four months he 
pushed further West to California, and after 
a few months in the mines of El Dorado 
County he settled in San Jose for the winter. 
But still unsettled, in the spring he went to 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



43! 



Los Angeles, and there passed the summer, 
returning to San Jose in the fall, and finding 
a job of brick- molding he settled in that 
locality, aod later engaged in farming, which 
he followed until 1866. He then returned 
to his old home in South Bend, but not liking 
the cold weather he went to southwestern 
Missouri, where he passed several months, 
and in 1867 returned to the more temperate 
climate of San Jose. He was engaged in 
farming until 1868, when he came to Santa 
Maria, and was among the first to locate land 
in the valley, and he claims the honor of 
having built the first house, November 7, 
1868. In 1869 he moved his family here. 
He has since purchased 320 acres of land 
near by, where he follows grain farming, only 
raising sufficient stock for ranch purposes. 
He has four acres in orchard, and a large 
variety of fruit. 

Mr. Prell was married at Rolla, Missouri, 
in 1867, to Miss Eliza Powers, a native of 
Ohio, and they have four children. He is a 
member of Santa Maria Lodge, No. 302 ) 
I. O. O. F., of Hesperian Lodge, No. 264, 
F. & A. M., and of the Chosen Friends. 



E. CARTER, whose fine orchard and 
fruit ranch stands out prominently 
* east of Lompoc, was born at Hopkin- 
ton, New Hampshire, in 1834. His father 
had extensive lumber interests, and owned 
and operated a saw-mill; he died when our 
subject was but ten years of age. After the 
death of his father Mr. Carter lived out, and 
worked at farming until 1856, when became 
to California by water and the Isthmus of 
Panama, arriving in San Francisco, May 2. 
1850. He then went to the mines in Sierra 
County, where he was engaged in mining 
and farming until the fall of I860, when he 



moved to Watsonville, and bought fifteen 
acres of land and set out a small orchard in 
that locality. In 1876 he came to Lompoc, 
and bought 116 acres, ninety-six of which 
he still owns and which is highly developed. 
It was largely covered with brush and tim- 
ber. In 1877 he began setting out his or- 
chard, which now covers twenty-two acres, 
nearly all of which is now in bearing, mainly 
of winter apples, but he has also a large 
variety of fruit. He formerly planted beans, 
wheat, barley, mustard, etc., but now devotes 
his entire time to the orchard, and also raises 
hay for home use; he keeps several mares, 
and raises a high grade of draft and trotting 
stock. His attractive and substantial home 
is evidence of the years of labor which he has 
expended upon the improvement of his prop- 
erty. He was married in 1868, in Sierra 
, County, this State, to Miss Lucy E. GMidden, 
a native of Maine. 

— — «~" | » 2n£ » ! »■■►«■•■= 




H. ROACH was born in Sanel, Men- 
docino County, California., Febru- 
° ary 26, 1860, the son of Patrick and 
Catherine (Prucell) Roach, the former a na- 
tive of Ireland and the latter of Detroit, 
Michigan, of Irish parents. They came to 
California in an early day and were pioneers 
of Mendocino County. They were the par- 
ents of twelve children, nine of whom are 
still living. The father has followed farming 
and stock-raising all his life, and reared his 
numerous family in the county where he still 
resides. 

The subject of this sketch received his 
education in the public schools of his native 
county, and also took a course in Heald's Busi- 
ness College. For four years he was engaged 
in a meat market in his native town. He 
came to Ventura in 1888, and entered into 



432 



SANTA BARBARA, SAW LUIS OBISPO 



partnership with Mr. George Saviers. They 
have two markets, one at Hueneme and the 
other at New Jerusalem. Being men well 
qualified for the business in which they are 
engaged, they have a thriving trade. 

Mr. Roach has held the office of Justice of 
the Peace at Westport, Mendocino County, 
for two years, and also Notary Public two 
years. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, Ventura Lodge, No. 214. Mr. Roach 
is a single gentleman and, no doubt, other 
chapters in his history will soon follow! 



r*3+-^' 



EWIS LINBARGER, a California 



pio- 



Mrfi neer, came to the State in 1857. He 
=^ was born in Illinois, January 6, 1836, 
son of Lewis aud Jane (Henderson) Linbar- 
ger, the former of German ancestry, and the 
latter a native of Jackson County, Indiana. 
He was one of a family of eleven children, 
seven of whom are now living. The family 
removed to Missouri in 1841, and in 1843 
emigrated to Oregon, where the subject of 
this sketch was reared and educated. When 
he came to California, he first located on a 
ranch of 160 acres in Contra Costa County, 
which afterward proved to be a grant. He 
then sold his improvements there and went 
to San Joaquin County, where lie purchased 
property and engaged in farming; then sold 
out, went away and bought and sold again; 
returned to San Joaquin County, bought 160 
acres of land, which he improved; then sold 
out, and this time came to Ventura County. 
He here engaged in stock-raising for five 
years; was then absent from the county for a 
period of time, after which he returned and 
continued the same business four years more. 
In 1882 he purchased his present ranch of 
100 acres, located two miles west of Santa 
Paula. He improved the property by erect- 



ing buildings, etc., and engaged in raising 
barley and hogs, for four years. He then 
turned his attention to the production of 
Lima beans, of which he is now raising large 
crops, at remunerative prices. The work is 
all done by machinery, so that the labor is 
not severe. 

Mr. Linbarger was married in February, 
1858, to Miss Malinda F. Blevins, of Oregon 
and daughter of Alexander Blevins, who 
emigrated there in 1843. They have three 
children: Mary J., born in Contra Costa 
County, is now the wife of Allen Baker, and 
resides in Santa Paula ; Nancy Lucinda, 
born in San Joaquin County, married F. M. 
Edgar, and also resides in Santa Paula; and 
Charles L., born in Linn County, Oregon, is 
married and lives on his father's ranch. Mr. 
Linbarger is a Democrat. 



fW. SHICK was born in Georgetown, 
Brown County, Ohio, August 18, 1819. 
His father, Peter Shick, was born in 
Philadelphia in 1791, and his grandfather 
came to America from Germany. His mother 
was Elizabath (Woodruff) Shick, a native of 
Brown County, Ohio, born of English parents. 
Mrs. Shick was the third of a family of eleven 
children, live of whom are now living, and are 
scattered over the United States. He was 
educated in his native State. When he be- 
came of age he purchased the old homestead 
on which his father had lived six years, 
the youngest of the family Avere born, and 
on which his father died in 1835. It con- 
tained 100 acres. His father had settled 
on it in 1829, had reclaimed it from the 
bush, and, at his request, was buried on 
it. After living on this property five years, 
Mr. Shick sold out and went to Davis County, 
Iowa, where he bought eighty acres of im- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



433 



proved land, farmed it for two years, then 
sold, and in the same neighborhood bought 
100 acres. On this property he made his 
home for twenty years. 

In 1861, when the war broke out, he en- 
listed in Company G, Second Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, and served during the war. He 
made that remarkable march with General 
Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. On this 
march he was detailed to the ambulance 
corps, and drove the mail ambulance for 
General G. M. Dodge, of Iowa. On his way 
from Dallas, Georgia, to Kingston, after 
the mail, his team ran away and he was 
thrown from the wagon and run over, his 
left ankle being badly injured, also right 
shoulder and knee slightly. He has, to some 
extent, been a cripple ever since. At the 
time of General Lee's surrrender, he was in 
the hospital from the effect of this injury, 
where he was discharged on surgeon's certifi- 
cate of disability July 10, 1865. He returned 
to his home and engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits on his farm and, in winter, also taught 
school. In 1877 he sold his property and 
came to California. In Inyo County he 
bought 116 acres of land, and resided there 
ten years. He then sold and came to Santa 
Paula, where he bought the house in which 
he now resides with his family. He has 
received a small pension, dated from the date 
of discharge. 

Mr. Shick was married in 1843, to Miss 
Eleanor A. P. Clark, a native of Kentucky, 
and a daughter of Mr. John Clark. Tney 
had one child, Elizabeth, born iu Ohio, and is 
now the wife of Thomas Bates, of Missouri. 
Mrs. Shick died in 1845. For his second 
wife he wedded Catharine Srofe, a native of 
Ohio, and daughter of Elijah Srofe. Her 
father was born in Ohio, and was the son of 
a soldier of the war of 1812, who was wounded 
in the battle of Lundy's Lane. By this wife 



he had four children, two of whom are living: 
Mary A., born in Ohio, now married to A. J. 
Humphrey, and resides in Davis County, 
Iowa; David T., born in Davis County, Iowa, 
resides at his father's old home. This wife 
died in 1855. Mr. Shick's next wife was nee 
Martha J. Mohler, also a native of. Ohio. 
She lived only a short time after marriage, 
her death occurring in 1858. He was after- 
ward married to Annie M. Torrence. She, 
too, was a native of Ohio, and her death oc- 
curred a year after her marriage. Mr. Shick's 
present wife was formerly Mrs. Catharine 
Tall, widow of Mr. W. Tail, of Davis County, 
Iowa, and daughter of Mr. Thomas Clark. 
They have had four children, three of whom 
are living. Their eldest son, T. M., lived to 
be twenty-three years of age, and was mur- 
dered by one Henry Brown, who was con- 
victed of the crime and sentenced to imprison- 
ment for life. Ida May, and Rena C. and 
Francis M. were born in Davis County, Iowa, 
and now reside with their parents. Mr. 
Shick is a member of the Baptist Church, 
and her husband of the Christian Church 
He is a worthy member of the G. A. R. In 
Davis County, Iowa, Mr. Shick held every 
township office, and was Justice of the Peace 
for eight years. In Salt Creek, that county, 
he served as Postmaster. Notwithstanding his 
advanced age, seventy-one years, he is still 
hale and hearty, and bids fair to enjoy a long 
life in his happy California home. 

fC. NANCE, a rancher of Santa Maria, 
was born in Randolph County, North 
° Carolina, in 1839. His father was a 
farmer and stock-raiser by occupation. Our 
subject lived at homo until sixteen years of 
a^e, engaged in farming and also learning the 
trade of carpenter. In 1855 he went to 



434 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJST LUIS OBISPO 



Buchanan County, Missouri, to join his 
uncle, Rev. Isham Nance, who emigrated to 
Missouri in 1835, at the settling of the 
Platte purchase. Mr. Nance engaged with 
Co'onel Fonts as overseer of his plantation 
and slaves near Rock House Prairie, remain- 
ing until 1858, when he started with a 
freight train of Guthrie & Mitchell for Salt 
Lake City. He engaged as cook, but was 
soon promoted second wagon boss. The 
train was composed of thirty-two wagons, 
six yoke of oxen to each wagon. In the 
spring of 1859 he started for Pike's Peak, 
with his own outfit, and returning again as 
assistant of John S. Woods. In 1860 he 
went to Nebraska, where he engaged in 
farming, and in 1862 moved westward to 
the mines in eastern Oregon, where he re- 
mained until 1866, meeting with good suc- 
cess. He then came south to San Jose and 
C'istroville, where he worked at his trade, 
helping to build the first seven houses of 
that town. In 1867 he went to Salinas City, 
at the founding of that town, and engaged 
in the building of the first fifteen houses. 
He then returned to San Jose, and in part- 
nership with W. T. Morris farmed the Parr 
ranch until 1870, when he took a trip East. 
On returning to California Mr. Nance con- 
tinued his trade up to 1872, when he came 
to Santa Maria, and bought land, which he 
farmed and also worked at his trade as op- 
portunity offered. In 1881 he bought 240 
acres of grazing land in Cat Canon, and he 
also rents 500 acres, which he farms to wheat 
and barley. He set out one of the first or- 
chards in the valley, of 300 trees. He now 
devotes much time to stock interests, breed- 
ing a fine grade of horses for general utility 
purposes, keeping about twenty-live head. 
He owns two stallions, Frank Leslie, of Mes- 
senger stock, known as the trick horse, and 
the Rowdy Dutchman, of Hambleton stock. 



Mr. Nance has been a director of the Santa 
Barbara Agricultural Society since its organ- 
ization in 1884. He was Roadmaster for 
Santa Maria district two years, and in 1884 
was appointed Deputy Sheriff, under R. J. 
Broughton, and is now serving his fourth 
term. He was married in Santa Maria, in 
1881 to Miss Maggie Smith, and they have 
four children. Mr. Nance is a member of 
Hesperian Lodge, No. 264, F. & A. M. 



*b-*h 



f^ARYEY HARDISON, deceased, late 
one of the prominent business men and 
oil-well operators of Santa Paula, was 
born in Aroostook County, Maine, February 
9, 1844. Natives of the % same State were 
also his father Ivory and his grandfather 
Joseph Hardison; and it is believed that the 
family originated in Sweden. Harvey's 
mother, Dorcas (Abott) Hardison, was born 
in China, Kennebec County, Maine, and her 
ancestors were English and Irish. In their 
family were eight sons and three daughters, 
all of whom excepting one are yet living. 

Mr. Hardison, the subject of this memoir, 
was the eighth in this family, inheriting a 
fine physical organization and a good dis- 
position, and was reared to strict temperance 
habits, using neither tobacco nor strong 
drink. At the age of twenty-one years he 
began work for himself in the oil regions of 
Pennsylvania, drilling for oil. About two 
years afterward he obtained an outfit, began 
to take contracts and for five years drilled 
wells for Lyman Stewart, now of Los An- 
geles. He then began drilling for himself, as 
well as for others, having an interest in 
Shangburg and in Yenango County, Pennsyl- 
vania. He bored about 300 wells, ranging 
from 800 to 2,000 feet in depth. The time 
required for sinking the deepest well then 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



435 



required about three months; but now the 
same work can be clone in about one month. 

In 1883 Mr. Hardison came to Newhall, 
California, and superintended the putting 
down of the Hadison & Stewart wells at 
Pico. They sank four wells before u striking 
oil." The fifth well, called the Star, was a 
good producer, yielding fifty barrels per day. 
In Adams, Saltmarsh and Aliso canons he 
superintended the drilling of oil wells. In 
tunnels from some of these electric lights are 
employed to work by, and all the latest im- 
provements in the oil-well business are 
brought into use. One well in Adams Canon 
gave a flow of 1,000 barrels per day. In the 
Saltmarsh Canon the company has four pro- 
ducing wells, one of them having yielded 
100,000 barrels of oil. In the Adams Canon 
one well produced 125,000 barrels. These 
wells are from 250 to 1,750 feet deep. They 
have also producing wells in Santa Paula 
Canon and three in the Aliso Canon and five in 
the Ojai. At the time of his recent death, 
Mr. Hardison had a fourth interest in the 
Santa Paula Horse and Cattle Company, who 
have a ranch of 6,400 acres stocked with 
horses and cattle, some of which are thor- 
oughbred stock. Mr. Hardison owned other 
property. 

Mr. Hardison was appointed Postmaster 
of Santa Paula in April, 1889, and his 
daughter Ida was employed as assistant and 
his son Frank as deputy. Mr. Hardison was 
a member of the A. O. U. W., of the Uni- 
versalist Church and of the Republican 
party. April 4, 1890, he met his death 
from explosion of gas in one of the oil 
tunnels in A.dame ('anon, where he was 
superintendent. It was suppo.-rd that the 
explosion was so sudden and forceful that 
death was instantaneous. 11 is bereaved wife 
and children bore the fearful calamity with 
great fortitude. Mr. Hardison was a noble, 



generous and large-hearted man, and a pleas- 
ant and kind husband and father, and was 
also esteemed highly by all who knew him. 
His marriage took place in 1869, when he 
wedded Mis? Delphina M. Wetherbee, a na- 
tive of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, born 
September 14, 1848, a daughter of Franklin 
Wetherbee, who was born in New York. 
Mrs. Hardison is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church at Santa Paula, and has proved 
herself an excellent wife and mother. There 
are two sons and two daughters, all of whom 
are also members of the same church. Ida 
A. was born in Centerville, Crawford County, 
Pennsylvania, August 2, 1870; Franklin I., 
January 20, 1872, in Parker City, Pennsyl- 
vania; Seth J., November 14, 1874, in Tur- 
key City, Pennsylvania, and Ruth M., in 
the same place, January 16, 1877. 



^«^ 



fESSE HILL, one of California's pioneers, 
and an early settler of the Lompoc Val- 
ley, was born in Mason County, Vir- 
ginia, in 1820. His ancestors were natives 
of the Old World, who came to this country 
at an early day, and both his grandfathers 
were soldiers in the war of the Revolu- 
tion. Jesse lived at home, and enjraffed 
in farming until 1849, and then passed one 
year in Iowa, when, being thrilled with 
the California excitement, in the spring of 
1850, he started for that undeveloped coun- 
try, across the plains, by Salt Lake City and 
the Truckee route. He crossed on horseback. 
At Truckee he was shot by an Indian, but 
only laid up about fifteen days, and landed in 
California in October, 1*50. He settled near 
the San Joaquin River, and bought out what 
has since been known as Hill Ferry, which 
he operated for ten years, and which became 
the popular crossing for the droves of cattle 



436 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



of Southern California, as they were moved 
toward the mines. In 1862 he sold his in- 
terest and then moved back to the foot-hills, 
where he embarked in the sheep business, 
keeping a herd of 5,000 sheep. In 1869 he 
drove his flock south to the Rancho la Pur- 
isima, 3,300 acres of which he still owns, also 
the Rancho Santa Rita of 2,500 acres. In 
1877, the dry year, Mr. 'Hill lost about 15,- 
000 sheep, and though still in the business 
has only continued in a small way, keeping 
about 1,600 head on Santa Rita. He also 
farms about 700 acres, 100 acres in beans, 
and the balance in barley, of which he rents 
a large portion. The Rancho la Pnrisima, 
Mr. Hill has given to his two sons, who 
carry on farming, but who are more par- 
ticularly interested in the raising of horses 
and cattle, keeping about forty head, and 
breeding to running and trotting stock. In 
politics Mr. Hill is a Democrat, but takes no 
official distinction, and devotes his life to his 
family and farm. 

He was married near San Juan, January 
1, 1856, to Miss Harriet Rhea, a native of 
Illinois, but of French descent. They haye 
four children, two sons and two daughters. 

-°*-" i ' X * Z> < £ » <? ■<-« " 



Wa L. FORRESTER, a rancher of Santa 
Wrji Maria, was born in West Virginia, in 
^^ <3> 1850. He lived at home until eighteen 
years of age, and then woi'ked in a saw-mill 
and in oil works in Parkersburg, and there 
learned the science of well-boring. He then 
went to Kansas, and for several years fol- 
lowed farming and stock-raising. In the 
spring of 1875 he came to California, and 
farmed one year in Butte County, then went 
to Tulare, where he ran a saw-mill and team- 
ed until 1878, when he went to Oregon and 
helped build and run a saw-mill, until he re- 



turned to California and settled in Santa 
Maria, in 1880. He then opened a black- 
smith shop in the Santa Maria district, which 
he continued until 1885, when he returned 
to Santa Maria and built his present spacious 
shop, 46 x 70 feet, corner of Chapel and 
Broadway streets. He also has a machine 
shop and barley crusher, all running by steam 
power, and he is prepared to do blacksmith- 
ing in all its branches, also carriage building 
and repairing, always keeping on hand two 
blacksmiths and one wood-workman. He 
also owns a ranch of 480 acres in Santa Maria 
district, 130 acres of which is tillable, and 
the remainder is good for grazing. He has 
twenty acres in fruit, mainly prunes and 
apricots, and also grows barley and beans. 
He breeds horses and cattle, keeping from 
forty to sixty head. In 1878 he started the 
water-works, pumping by steam from the 
well to an elevated tank, and is prepared to 
supply the town; this interest he sold to his 
brother in the fall of 1889. Mr. Forrester 
is a professional house-mover, and has moved 
some of the largest houses in the surround- 
ing country. 

He was married at Pottawattomie, Kansas, 
in 1872, to Miss Martha Clark, a native of 
Missouri, and they have five children. Mr. 
Forrester's father was born in Philadelphia. 



■ot » i3 



» 3 n £ - 



§F. EARLS, one o£ the successful ranch- 
ers of the East side, was born in Boone 
a County, Kentucky, in 1830. His father 
was a farmer, and in 1837 emigrated to 
Andrew County, Missouri, where he bought 
320 acres, and engaged in general farming 
and stock-raising. The subject of this sketch 
lived at home until 1852, when he started 
for California, crossing the plains. He came 
out with Steele, McCord & Co., driving 800 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



437 



bead of cattle, and being 134 days in cross- 
ing, landing at Grand Island on the Sacra- 
mento River, where tbey sold their stock. 
Mr. Earls went to Santa Clara, wbere be 
rented and farmed until 1857, when he went 
to Monterey County, rented land and started 
a dairy, continuing until 1863. He tben 
went to Virginia City, Nevada, and began 
teaming, which be continued until 1869, tben 
to the "White Pine country, wbere he teamed 
until 1874, and also engaged in farming, first 
purchasing 280 acres. 

He was married in 1874, to Mrs. Martha 
Jane McMinn, and carried on bis ranch until 
1878, when be came to Lompoc, still retain- 
ing the ranch. At Lompoc he bought 120 
acres, partly covered with brush and timber. 
He began clearing and improving it and now 
possesses a highly developed ranch, devoting 
himself to fanning, making beans the main 
crop, of which he planted about seventy 
acres. They have two sons, both living 
under the parental roof. 



ICOLAZO ESTRADA, widow of 
? Julian Estrada, was born in Monterey 
in the year 1820. She is the sister of 
J. Gaxiola, one of the oldest residents of the 
surrounding country, a brief account of whose 
life we append to this sketch. Mrs. Estrada 
is berfelf one of the earliest settlers of the 
place, having come to San Luis Obispo in 
1846, as the wife of Julian Estrada. At that 
time there were but ten families living in the 
county, and where the city of San Luis Obis- 
po now lies there was but one building and 
that was the old Mission. When Mr. and 
Mrs. Estrada moved to this county in 1846 
they took up their abode on their Santa Rosa 
ranch, which was twelve miles square. 
Twenty-three years later they sold this ranch, 



excepting a small portion of it which they 
continued to occupy. During the past year 
this has been disposed of, and Mrs. Estrada 
is now occupying a residence within the city 
limits, where she is spending the closing 
years of her life with a portion of her family, 
Mr. Gaxiola and an unmarried daughter. 
Her husband died in the year 1869, leaving 
three sons and four daughters. 

Mr. Gaxiola is one of the most prominent 
survivors of the Mexican war now living in 
this county. He fought under General 
Castro, and many are the stories told of his 
brave deeds during this period. He was a 
great favorite with bis comrades and also 
with the officers. Of late years Mr. Gaxiola 
has led a quiet and retired life. He was 
married in 1835, but has no family. 

U|HOMAS SAHLSBURV, a rancher of 
Santa Maria, was born in England, in 
1830. He began work in the coal 
mines at Olebnrg, at nine years of age, con- 
tinuing six years. He then worked in the 
iron factory, and learned the trade of pnd- 
dler. In 1848 he came to the United States, 
first settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where 
he worked at bis trade, on the opening of the 
first iron factory in that city. He remained 
until 1852, when be came across the plains 
to California. He came with the freight 
train of Ben Uolliday, as driver of a mule 
team, the train being loaded with whisky, 
dry goods and general merchandise. They 
landed at Sacramento, where Mr. Uolliday 
established a store, and our subject remained 
with him for twelve years, much of the time 
being engaged in driving cattle from Salt 
Lake to California. At the time of the Mor- 
mon war, Mr. Uolliday bought General John- 
son's stock, consisting of 1,000 mules, all of 



438 



SANTA B ABB ABA, SAN LUIS OBIS BO 



them being driven to California, in Mr. 
Salisbury's care. In 1864 Mr. Saulsbury 
began farming in Alameda County, where be 
bought land, and kept 100 head of cattle, re- 
maining until 1873, when he came to Guada- 
loupe, and was one of the pioneers of that 
town. He bought 347 acres of land, and 
started the dairy business, keeping seventy- 
five cows, and making butter. He still owns 
the ranch, which be rents with part of his 
stock. He and bis sons also own a stock- 
ranch of 2,000 acres in the Cuyamaca coun- 
try, where he raises horses and cattle. He is 
now renting a ranch of 160 acres near town, 
thus affording his children the advantages of 
the school; he and his sons plant 120 acres 
in beans. 

Mr. Saulsbury was married in Alameda 
County, in 1860, to Miss Isabelle Randall, 
and they bave eleven children. 

— ^'^>*Hl*'-*~— — 

g^ENRY JEWETT, son of Samuel and 
Maria Rosaria (Herrera) Jewett, the for- 
mer of Vermont and the latter of Mex- 
ico, was born in the city of Mexico in 1844. 
Ln 1850 the family moved to San Francisco, 
where two years later the father died from 
cholera. Alameda was next their home. 
Young Jewett was very fond of traveling and 
roamed around the country a great deal in 
search of new sights. He was for nine years 
engaged in ranching in New Mexico. In 
1869 he came to San Luis Obispo, and there 
served as Constable, Deputy Sheriff and City 
Marshal. Mr. Jewett was married in 1869, 
in Los Angeles, to Elvira Andrada. They 
were the parents of ten children, six of whom 
are now living. After bis marriage he went 
to San Francisco, believing he would prefer 
to settle there, but decided later that San 
Luis Obispo presented the best business op- 



portunities for him. During the gold excite- 
ment Mr. Jewett went to the mines in San 
Jose and was moderately successful in his 
search. He was a member of the A O. U. 
W., and also of the fire department. When 
he died, August 11, 1889, a worthy and re- 
spected citizen passed away. 



if M. CLARK, one of the intelligent ranch - 
f I ers of Lompoc, who farms with his head 
^■ Q as well as his hands, was born in Mon- 
roe County, Michigan, in 1845. His father 
was a mechanic in early life, but devoted his 
later life to farming. He moved his family 
of eight children to California in 1856, and 
settled in Alameda County, where be died in 
1876, at the age of seventy-one years. His 
widow is still living, hale and hearty, at the 
age of eighty-four years. The subject of 
this sketch passed his early life at home, and 
in March, 1865, enlisted at San Jose, having 
passed several years in the Home Guards, in 
Company E, First Cavalry, under Captain 
McElroy, and they were then sent to Arizona. 
Mr. Clark was mainly on escort duty with 
the paymaster, and during the year rode 3,000 
miles. He was discharged at Drum Barracks, 
Los Angeles, in 1866. He then passed two 
years in roaming and riding over the country, 
and in 1868 settled in Pajaro Yalley, near 
Watson ville, with his brother. They also 
had a stock-ranch in San Benito County, 
consisting of 900 acres, where they raised 
horses and hogs, and continued the partner- 
ship until 1878. Mr. Clark then became 
agent for Major J. L. Rathburn and the 
Athertons, who owned large ranches. He 
superintended the farming and attended to 
the sale of lands until 1885, when he came 
to Lompoc. He bought eighty acres of land, 
to which he has since added ten acres more, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



439 



making his present attractive ranch. He 
makes beans his main crop, planting abont 
forty acres; and during the wet season, when 
the potato crop is likely to be light on the 
wet lands, he pays careful attention to that 
crop. In 1889, from seven acres of land, be 
cleared $1,700, obtaining a yield of 275 
bushels to the acre. Mr. Clark is a careful, 
systematic farmer, and now enjoys what in 
boyhood was his chief ambition, to have a 
nice farm, with every desirable tool, and suf- 
ficient horses to conduct his ranch. 

On March 8, 1882, Mr. Clark received a 
certificate from Governor Perkins of Califor- 
nia, in accordance with a passage of the Leg- 
islature, testifying the people's gratitude to 
the soldiers of the civil war. Though an 
ardent Republican, he aspires to no political 
distinction, but devotes himself to his family 
and the proper maintenance of his ranch. He 
is a member of Robert Anderson Post, G. 
A. R. 

Mr. Clark has been twice married; first in 
Watfonville, in 1866, but his first wife surviv- 
ed but a short time. He was married the second 
time at San Jose, in 1869, to Miss Juliet 
Duncan, a native of Missouri, who came to 
California in infancy. No children have 
been born of this union. 




jglLLIAM R. STONE, one of the 

leading business men of San Buena- 
ventura, was born in Wincbester, 
Middlesex County, Massachusetts, eight miles 
from Boston, August 17, 1854. His father, 
Hon. J. F. Stone, a native of New Hampshire, 
was a business man of that State for many 
years, and for the last eight years of his life 
represented bis district in the Legislature of 
Massachusetts, as a Republican. His wife, 
nee Melvina Clark, is also a native of the 



Old Granite State. They have five children, 
of whom three are living. Mr. Stone, our 
subject, finished his education in a Bryant & 
Stratton business college, located at Boston, 
Massachusetts, and when of age he became a 
traveling salesman for John M. Davis &Co., 
in the line of gents' furnishing goods, and 
continued three years in their employ, with 
good success. Then, for four years, he had 
charge of the f urnishing-goods department of 
C. C. Hastings & Co.; next he was salesman 
until 1885 in the hosiery department of Mur- 
phy, Grant & Co.; and then be embarked in 
business for himself in San Buenaventura, 
buying out Jchn A. Walker's establishment 
of dry goods, fancy goods and gents' furnish- 
ing goods. He conducted the business with 
marked success until November 23, 1887, 
when he moved into his large, new store, the 
" White House," where he enjoys a large 
trade from the better classof customers, based 
on keeping fine fashionable goods. The store 
is kept well filled with stock; it has a nice, 
cosy office, and a gallery in the rear for a 
cloak department. Every feature is met- 
ropolitan, showing that the proprietor is 
a trained merchant of experience, although 
comparatively young. He is Master Work- 
man of Ventura Lodge, No. 173, A. O. U. W., 
Chancellor Commander of the K. of P., a 
member of the K. of II., and is a prompt and 
efficient officer as First Lieutenant of Com- 
pany D, Seventh Infantry, First Brigade, 
National Guard of California. 

He was married in 1879 to Miss Minnie 
C. Clark, a native of San Francisco. By this 
marriage there was one daughter, named 
Maud C, born in San Francisco February 
23, 1880. In 1882 Mrs. Stone met with a 
sad accident which caused her death; and in 
1884 Mr. Stone was again married, this time 
to Miss Emma Ellinghouse, whose place of 
birth was San Jose; and by this marriage 



440 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



there is also one daughter, named Arlie B., 
and born in San Buenaventura, in 1886. 



THORNBURGH, of Santa Maria, 
;/j\v*uK was born in Wayne County, Indi- 
hd^ kQ ' ana, in 1835. His father, John 
Thornbnrgh, was a native of Tennessee, and 
emigrated to Indiana in 1819. He was a 
tanner and saddler by trade, and carried on 
that business in connection with farming. 
In 1864 he moved to Redfield, Iowa, and 
there engaged in wool manufacturing until 
1870, when he came to California, spending 
one year in Ventura County. In 1871 he 
came to Santa Maria and purchased 160 acres 
of .land on the corner of Main and Broad- 
way, and was one of the founders of the town. 
He engaged in the merchandising business 
three and a half years, but his main interests 
have been in agriculture. He is still living, 
being hale and hearty at the age of eighty- 
one years. He married Elizabeth Hunt, a 
native of Guilford, North Carolina, of Quaker 
parentage, and Mr. Thornburgh, our present 
subject, was also brought up in Quaker prin- 
ciples. 

Mr. Thornburgh, our subject, was educated 
in the common schools of Indiana, and then 
attended the Union College, in Randolph 
County, until 1855, when he returned home 
and engaged in farming. In 1858 he was 
married, in "Wayne County, Indiana, to Miss 
Ellen McLucas. They then removed to Red- 
field, Iowa, where Mr. Thornburgh engaged 
in farming. In 1864 he assisted his father 
in building the Thornburgh Woolen Mills, 
and was engaged therein until 1870, when 
his father left for California. The subject 
of this sketch then became foreman for saw 
mills through Dallas and Boone counties un- 
til 1875, when he came to Santa Maria and 



took up a Government claim of 160 acres, 
and also clerked in the store of Thornburgh 
& Co. In 1876 he was appointed the first 
Justice of the Peace of the town by the Board 
of Supervisors, and thereafter continued by 
election until 1884, and one term since by 
appointment to fill a vacancy. In 1880 he 
was appointed the first Notary of the town. 
He organized the Central School district in 
1882, and was Clerk of the Board of Trustees 
for six years. 

Mr. Thornburgh is now living with his 
third wife, to whom he was married at Santa 
Maria, in January, 1887. Has two sons by 
his former wife. He was a charter member 
of the Hesperian Lodge, 264, F. & A. M. 

- - .o> „ l | < ^- ( ^|^^^ 

P. WARD, one of the business men of 
San Buenaventura, alive to the interests 
of his town and ready to help it in 
every enterprise for the advancement of the 
city, was born in the State of New Jersey, 
April 80, 1853. His father, G. A. Ward, 
was born in the State of New York in 
1832. As far as is known, the ancestors 
of the family were from New York. His 
mother, Margaret Graff, was born in New York 
city, and is of German descent. They had 
four sons and two daughters. Mr. Ward, the 
third child, was educated in New York and 
New Jersey, learned the carriage-making 
trade, working at it three and a half years, 
and, finding that it did not agree with him, 
removed to Chicago, where he was employed 
for years as carpenter and architect for Allen 
& Bartlett, prominent builders; he was in 
Chicago during the great fire of 1871. In 
1876 he came to Yolo County, California, 
and began contracting and building, and had 
a large and successful business. In 1886 he 
came to Ventura, and has since built a fine 




AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



441 



residence on the Floral tract, three- fourths of 
a mile from the business center of the city, 
and the structure exhibits the skill of the 
architect and builder. On arriving here he 
formed a partnership, which is known as the 
firm of Shaw & Ward. They were the build- 
ers of the Anacapa Hotel, the residence of 
Mr. Wells, and several other fine houses. 
They are also the architects of a new church 
which is now in process of erection for the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which 
Mr. Ward is a member of the building com- 
mittee, and also district steward. He be- 
longs to the order of F. & A. M. and the I. 
O. O. F., and his wife was also a member of 
the same church with him. He was married 
in 1886 to Miss Jennie Hill, a native of Yolo 
County, this State. 






m 



*YRON ANGEL is a native of the 
* State of New York, born in Oneonta, 

s'3^* Otsego County, December 1, 1827, 
a descendant of the first Puritan Pilgrims 
who landed on Plymouth Rock. His father, 
William Angel, desiring to advance the pros- 
perity of Oneonta, established a newspaper 
in the village, and in this office the subject 
of this sketch often assisted in the mechan- 
ical and editorial departments, although then 
very young. In 1835 his mother died, and 
in 1S42 his father, leaving him an orphan in 
his fifteenth year. The boy, inheriting a 
fair property, was enabled to acquire a tine 
education from district school to Ilartwick 
Seminary, thence, in 1840, to the Military 
A.ca leray at West Point, from which institu- 
tion he resigned to join the excited throng 
hound for the gold mine.- in the newly UC 
quired ree ion of I !alifornia. 

At the date of the discovery of gold his 
elder brother, Eugene Angel, was practicing 

28 



law in Peoria, Illinois, having recently been 
admitted to the bar. and was anxious to join 
the "Peoria Pioneers" in the journey over- 
land. Urging the cadet to join him in 
Peoria, Mr. Angel, in January, 1849, started 
on his journey, crossing Pennsylvania to 
Pittsburg by stage — that being the only con- 
veyance at the time, the New York & Erie 
Railroad only reaching to Port Jervis, on the 
Delaware River — and from Pittsburg to St. 
Louis by steamboat, thence a short distance 
up the Illinois River by boat, and a toilsome 
journey in mud-wagons to Peoria. In April 
the pioneers left that city, destined for St. 
Joe, on the Missouri, on the "utterly utter" 
verge of civilization. The treachery of the 
captain of the steamboat on which was that 
part of the company in which was Angel's 
party changed the fate of the young emi- 
grants by landing at Weston and refusing to 
proceed to St. Joseph, this deciding the 
party to take the Arkansas and Gila route 
instead of the direct route to the gold mines 
via the South Pass. On the steamer was 
Captain William Kirker, an old mountaineer 
who had been guide to Colonel Doniphan in 
his march through New Mexico a few years 
previously. He told of gold mines in the 
Rocky Mountains, far richer than those in 
California, and a large sum was paid him by 
a collection of Illinois and Missouri people 
who then made up a company. Late in May 
the journey was undertaken, and in July 
prospecting parties entered the Rocky Moun- 
tains on the Rio Sangrede Christo and other 
localities which have since become famous 
for their mineral wealth; but, being entirely 
ignorant of the occurrence of gold, or how to 
obtain it, found nothing. 

The niiii' "I the Pike's Peak region wen 
then condemned, and the route taken again 

for California, or somewhere, the travelers 

hardly knew where. Captain Kirker, the 



442 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



guide, said he knew of mines on the Gila 
River, and he would take them there. The 
captain was only playing his party, as he had 
a family at Albuquerque and he only wished 
to have an escort to take him safely there. 
The long journey was pursued many hundred 
miles south, along the Rio Grande, then 
westward into Sonora to the head of the Rio 
Santa Cruz, then northerly through Tucson 
to the Pima villages on the Gila River. 
From this point the two brothers Angel, be- 
coming impatient to reach their destination, 
it being then October, went in advance of 
the train, each taking a binall pack of cloth- 
ing and food, and, after a journey of severe 
fatigue, reached San Diego about the middle 
of November, ragged and famished. The 
train, which had been left behind, dragged 
its weary way along, and in the spring of 
1850 reached the mining region in Mariposa 
County. 

At San Diego was a small hermaphrodite 
brig about to sail for San Francisco, and 
would take passengers at $100 each, the pas- 
senger to furnish his own subsistence. As a 
great favor, the owner of the brig accepted 
$150 as passage money for the two, that be- 
ing the size of their pile after buying some 
provisions for the voyage. About half a 
dozen others who had reached San Diego 
with sufficient means also went as passengers, 
leaving near one hundred destitute emigrants 
bewailing their hard fate. A few days after- 
ward the steamer Oregon called in on her 
way from Panama and took all remaining, 
free of charge. 

On the 8th of December, 1849, the two 
brothers landed in San Francisco, in the rain 
and mud of a severe winter, in a condition 
that can better be imagined than described. 
A few days thereafter an incident occurred 
that helped much to relieve them of want 
when employment was unattainable. They 



had left in the wagon a trunk well filled with 
valuable books, some clothing, etc., to lighten 
the load. This was thrown out at the cross- 
ing of the Colorado. At that time Lieuten- 
ant Cave J. Coutts was in command of some 
soldiers stationed there (since called Fort 
Yuma), and seeing the trunk as jetsam on 
the sand he examined it, and, finding the 
books, pa} ers and clothing of a cadet, quickly 
put it on an ambulance and hastened after 
the departed train. Finding that the object 
of his search had gone before, he pushed 
through to San Diego, but was still too late 
to overtake the owner of the things he had 
rescued at so much trouble. The kind officer 
then put the trunk in charge of a gentleman 
going to San Francisco with instructions to 
hunt up the owner and restore to him his 
property with the warm regard of a brother 
soldier. The trunk thus reached its destina- 
tion, and the valuable books it contaimed 
sold lor such prices as aided to pass the hard- 
ships of a winter which proved the last to 
many young'and homesick pioneers. 

The summer of 1850 was spent in mining 
at Bidwell's Ear, on Feather River, with 
rather poor success; and in 1851 the two 
brothers settled on a ranch at a place since 
called Angel's Slough, near the Sacramento 
River, south of Chico. In 1856 they pur- 
chased a mining claim at North San Juan, 
Nevada County, and, joining w T ith others, 
commenced opening it by tunnel. In this 
enterprise about $40,000 w T as expended and 
lost. The brothers had continued insepar- 
able until 1860, when the elder, Eugene An- 
gel, went to the eastern slope, in the Washoe 
excitement, and was killed at the massacre at 
Pyramid Lake, May 12, 1860. Myron An- 
gel in the meantime had become editor of 
the Placerville Sami-Weekly Observer, in 
which situation he continued until the spring 
of 1860, when he returned to San Juan to 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



443 



take charge of his mining; interests there. 
Upon the breaking out of the war, he offered 
his services to the Governor of California, 
and received the appointment of Captain of 
Infantry. Upon this being announced, the 
San Juan Press, of October 5, 1861, said: 

"We are pleased to learn that our friend 
and fellow-townsman, Mr. Myron Angel, is 
raising; a company of infantry in obedience 
to the call of the General Government, hav- 
ing received official authority from Governor 
Downey so to do. This furnishes an addi- 
tional opportunity to all who are willing to 
serve their country in the hour of her need, 
to enroll their names. 

"Mr. Angel received a thorough military 
education as a student at West Point, and 
knows well the duties belonging to an officer. 
He is a gentleman, too, in whom recruits 
can repose implicit confidence. Their neces- 
sities, under his care, will be promptly at- 
tended to and their rights strictly guarded." 

No fund had been supplied for maintain- 
ing; and forwarding; recruits, and this Mr. 
Angel did until his own funds were ex- 
hausted. Then came the pressing demand 
for his time to attend to the business of a 
failing raining enterprise, in which his all 
was invested, and although appealed to by 
Colonel Judah, a West Point friend, who 
then had command of the Fourth California 
Volunteers, he was compelled to withdraw 
from the service, hoping for another appor- 
tunity when his business would be better ar- 
ranged. That time, however, did not offer. 

After writing for various papers, in 1863 
he became editor of the Reese River Reveille, 
at Austin, Nevada. While in that position 
he wrote several reports on the mines of 
Eastern Nevada, assisting Mr. J. Ross Brown 
m his " Report on the Mineral Resources 
west of the Rocky Mountains." A little 
book he wrote about this time on his favorite 



theme of the resources of Eastern Nevada, 
had the distinction of being published in 
French, in Paris, and in German, in Leipsic, 
the translators into French being Einil de 
Girardin, who paid the author the compli- 
ment of saying that it was the best English 
he had ever translated. Mr. Angel was 
editor-in-chief of the Reveille until 1868, 
when he left and became editor of the Oak- 
land Daily News, in California; then of the 
State Capital Reporter, of Sacramento; 
then of the White Pine News, of which 
paper he continued as San Francisco corre- 
spondent and agent until 1875, when he 
again became editor of the Oakland News. 
While acting as newspaper correspondent in 
San Francisco he also wrote for other publi- 
cations, the principal being a " Pacific Coast 
Business Directory and Gazetteer," of which 
two editions were published, one in 1871 
and the other in 1876, a very important and 
valuable work; also the historical and mis- 
cellaneous matter for the San Francisco An- 
nual Directory. The Pacific Coast Directory 
comprised all the region west of Dakota and 
Wyoming, and contained the most complete 
account of the hi&tory, geography and re- 
sources yet published. 

While performing these labors he was 
engaged in a mammoth mining enterprise, 
in company with Mr. M. D. Fairchild and 
lion. John Daggett, in making a canal and 
opening a large hydraulic mine in El Dorado 
County. After an expenditure of over 
$100,000 the enterprise came to a halt for 
want of funds, fortune again slipping away, 
and the faithful pen or pencil found to be the 
only sate reliance. 

September 22, 1879, he was married to 
Charlotte Paddock Livingston, daughter of 
Rev. Joseph Paddock, an accomplished lady, 
whose acquaintance extended from the days 
of their youth. In 1880 he was engaged tq 



444 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



write a history of mining in California, for 
the State Mining Bureau, and after making 
considerable progress on the work operations 
were suspended because of lack of funds. 
In 1881 he was engaged to write and super- 
vise the publication of a history of the State 
of Nevada, which made a grand volume of 
1,000 quarto pages. In 1882 he wrote a 
history of Placer County, California, a book 
of 400 quarto pages. In this is given the 
best political history of California yet writ- 
ten; also a complete history of the construc- 
tion of the Central Pacific Railroad. In 
1883 he wrote and pitblished a " History of 
San Luis Obispo County." In the same 
year he became editor of the San Luis 
Obispo Weekly Tribune, a Republican paper 
ol much influence. At the time of taking 
charge of the Tribune the assessed valua- 
tion of all property in the county was under 
$5,000,000. The editor, confident of the re- 
sources of the county, and believing in the 
power of the press, vigorously handled, 
promised that $2,000,000 should be added 
per annum, and in five years thereafter the 
assessed valuation exceeded $15,000,000. 
The promise had been made good. 

In March, 1886, Mr. Angel had the sad 
misfortune of the death of his wife. This 
lady was very highly esteemed, and her death 
was mourned by a large circle of friends and 
relatives. A handsome monument was 
erected to her memory in the cemetery at 
San Luis Obispo. In October, 1886, Mr. 
Angel disposed of his interest in the Tribune 
and purchased the Daily Republic, which 
paper he still owns and publishes. Novem- 
ber 13. 1889, he was married to Miss Carrie 
G. Flagler, of Fallsburg, Sullivan County, 
New York, an accomplished lady, of a prom- 
inent Quaker family of New York, Mrs. 
Angel, however, belonging to the Presby- 
terian Church. Mrs. Angel has a valuable 



property at Fallsburg, but they call San 
Luis Obispo their home. During the spring 
and summer of 1890 Mr. ADgel was engaged 
in the State Mining Bmeau to examine 
and report upon the resources of several 
of the counties of the State. Having been 
engaged in literary or newspaper work 
for more than thirty years, lie has nec- 
essarily accomplished much, and in recogni- 
tion of his historical works had the distinc- 
tion of being made Honorary Member of the 
Oneida Historical Society of New York. 



• 1* *1' 



E. SOULE is one of the prominent 
citizens of Ventura County, California, 
W^'* and a pioneer of the Ojai Valley. He 
was born in Canada, December 31. 1838, and 
is the son of Charles and Louis (Hurd) Soule, 
the former a native of Canada, of English and 
German descent. He w r as the younger son 
and the second child of a family of four chil- 
dren, two sons and two daughters, and re- 
ceived his education in his native country. 
Before he had quite reached his majority he 
came to California, in 1859, and worked on 
a farm for two years, after which he spent 
two years as a machinist on mill-work, in the 
mines in Nevada. He then returned to So- 
noma County, California, and purchased a 
ranch on the Russian River, near Healdsburg. 
On this he built a house and barn, and other- 
wise improved, and in 1874 sold the property 
and came to Ventura County. The journey 
was made in sixteen days, with two wagons, 
a four-horse wagon and a covered wagon for 
his family, which consisted at that time of 
his wife and four children. Mr. Soule had 
previously been to the Ojai Valley, and had 
bought land and erected a house which was 
ready for their occupancy when the family 
arrived. The valley at that time was a sheep 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



445 



ranch, with 10,000 sheep, owned by Messrs. 
Olds & Daily, and the only two houses there- 
were those of Mr. Waite and Mr. Ayres. At 
first Mr. Soule obtained his mail at Ventura, 
and after getting a route established, the few 
settlers had to pay for the carrying themselves 
for a long time. Mr. Soule engaged in wheat- 
raising, but now devotes his time to general 
farming and fruit culture. He still retains 
195 acres of his original purchase, upon which 
he raises fruit, hay, and horses, both draft 
and roadsters. His principal fruit crop con- 
sists of nectarines, apricots and prunes. He 
has ten acres in olives not yet in bearing. 
They have a dryer and dry their own fruit. 

Mr. Soule was united in marriage, in Oc- 
tober, 1862, to Miss Addie Koger, daughter 
of William and Matilda (Anglen) Koger, the 
former of German descent and the latter of 
French. Her father was a Virginian by 
birth, and was one of the pioneers of Califor- 
nia. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church, 
and a prominent rancher of this State. His 
death occurred when Mrs. Soule was quite 
young. Mr. and Mrs. Soule are the parents 
of five children, viz.: William E., a resident 
of Reading; Lillian E., Nina E. and Earl E., 
natives of Sonoma County, and Zadie E., born 
at their home in Nordhoff. Mrs. Soule is a 
warm lover of California, and rightly thinks 
there is no place like the Golden West. She 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
is a lady of culture and refinement. Her 
family are talented, being gifted in both 
music and drawing. Mr. Soule and his wife 
were charter members of the Grange. He 
was the first Master of the lodge, and she has 
also held important offices in the same. In 
politics Mr. Soule is a Republican, and has 
been a member of that party since its organi- 
zation. For four years he has held the office 
of Justice of the Peace; and has been clerk of 
the School Board for fourteen years out of 



the sixteen years he has resided in the town. 
During the building of the Presbyterian 
Church, a fine structure, Mr. Soule was a 
member of the board of trustees. He has 
been a member of the Republican Committee 
of the county for the past ten years. 



►*£-* 




|P[ S. HALL, a prominent business man 
of San Buenaventura, was born near 
Fairmont, Marion County, Virginia, 
February 27, 1854; and his father, Robert 
Hall, was also born near the same town. 
His grandfather, Rynear Hall, also a native 
of Virginia, a son of Jordan Hall, who was 
born in Delaware, went at an early agj 
to Virginia. His father was Thomas Hall, of 
Dover, Delaware, born in 1724, died in 1772. 
Mr. Hall's mother, whose maiden name was 
Sarah Hayhurst, also a native of Virginia, 
was a descendant of old residents of that 
State. E. S., the subject of this sketch, had 
no brother, but has one sister, who is now 
the wife of Henry Roberts, of Virginia. The 
mother died when E. S. was but two years 
old, and the father now resides in Iowa. The 
subject of this sketch was brought up by his 
uncle, E. B. Hall, now of Santa Barbara. 
His early education was received from private 
tuition before the day of public schools in 
Virginia. Later he was an attendant at pub- 
lic schools, and also at Lincoln Academy and 
the normal school. He read law in the office 
of his uncle, Judge E. B. Hall, who was a 
member of the ^riu of Hall & Hatch, lie 
was with them three years 1876-'79, and 
October 7 of the latter year he came to San 
Buenaventura, where he has since been in 
the practice of his profession, and also en- 
gaged in real estate and insurance. For two 
years he was District Attorney, his services 
being satisfactory to the public. lie is a 



446 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Republican, but has not sought office. lie 
owns considerable real estate. He built a 
good house on Santa Clara street, but, receiv- 
ing a good offer for it, he sold it and is now 
preparing to build a better house, — one that 
will be an ornament to the town. 

Mr. Hall is an active and pleasing business 
man, with a very large acquaintance in the 
county. His office is on the first floor, on 
Main street, in the center of the business, 
and is w r ell equipped in every particular for 
the comfort and convenience of his patrons, 
as well as for his own health and comfort. 
He is a gentleman of " all-round " business 
tact and a well read lawyer. 

Mrs. Robertine Hall, his wife, is a daugh- 
ter of Judge Hines, the first Superior Judge 
of the county, who was a Grand Master Mason 
and High Priest of the order in California. 
She was born in Vincennes, Indiana, is a 
graduate of the San Jose State Normal School, 
and has a host of friends throughout the 
State. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have two children: 
Edwin, who was born in Ventura, January 4, 
1884, and Alice, born in the same place, 
December 28, 1886. Mrs. Hall is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hall had 
Presbyterian parents, but is not a member of 
the church. He is a member of Blue Lodge, 
Royal Arch and Knight-Templar divisions of 
Free Masonry, and both himself and wife are 
members of the O. E. S. 



— >»^-h4**~ — 

fj^ C. DIMOCK, whose home is so pleas- 
| antly located in the San Miguelito 
I 9 Canon, was born in the town of New- 
port, Hants County, Nova Scotia, November 
9, 1842. He attended a private school for 
several years, and then attended the Wolfville 
Academy at the beautiful village of the same 
name, situate in Kings County, Nova Scotia. 



At an early age he studied medicine with J. 
H. Dennison, M. D., of Brooklyn, same 
province, when he became proficient in Materia 
Medica by attending the doctor's drug store, 
and in a short time compounded all prescrip- 
tions, and manufactured nearly all articles 
there dispensed. Leaving the doctor's home 
he next found employment witli the nursery 
firm of Chase Brothers, then of Sidney, 
Maine, now of Rochester, New York. The 
Doctor stayed with this company until he had 
earned enough money to complete his med- 
ical education, and matriculated in Bowdoin 
College, Brunswick, Maine, medical term of 
1864, and graduated at Berkshire Medical 
College, at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1866. 
He began the practice of medicine at Ren- 
frew Gold Mines, Nova Scotia, but the mines 
failing he gave it up and came to Boston, 
where he studied dentistry with J. R. Dil- 
lingham. Soon becoming skilled at this 
business he started for California, and on 
arriving in the Golden State he settled at 
Gilroy, and soon had a flourishing dental 
practice; was there when the railroad was 
built to the town; and, seeing how easy money 
could be made in a booming town, went to 
San Diego and invested the earnings of a 
year in town lots, which he was glad to re- 
linquish at a small percentage of cost, and 
returned to Gilroy and resumed the practice 
of dentistry, at which he continued until the 
Bacon Hard Rubber Company of Boston 
compelled him to quit. He then reviewed 
medicine for one term at the Toland Medical 
College, San Francisco. Soon afterward he 
settled in Oakland, Douglas County, Oregon, 
where he enjoyed a large and very lucrative 
practice, and made money rapidly, but by an 
unfortunate land speculation he lost his hard- 
earned money and became quite discouraged, 
gave up his practice and returned to Califor- 
nia, and after visiting old friends at Gilroy 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



447 



settled in Bakevsfield, Kern County, and 
commenced anew, and enjoyed a successful 
practice of over two years. 

He was elected Coroner and Public Ad- 
ministrator while there, but owing to illness 
Avas compelled to leave and seek a different 
climate. He visited Lompoc. in Santa Bar- 
bara County, in October, 1875, where he had 
a brother residing. He then went East and 
passed the winter at his old home in Nova 
Scotia. Early in the spring of 1876 he went 
to New York, and visited many of the noted 
places East and South; was at Philadelphia 
at the opening of the Centennial Exposition, 
and spent two months viewing the wonderful 
things to be seen at the greatest of shows. 
Returned to the Golden State in the summer 
of 1876, settled at Lompoc and commenced 
the practice of medicine, doing all the work 
of the valley, also establishing and managing 
a drug store. In 1882 Dr. Dimock sold a 
one-half interest in his business to Dr. 
Saunders, who attended the practice of medi- 
cine while Dr. Dimock managed the drug 
store. After one year he bought the interest 
of Dr. Saunders in the drug store, and soon 
after sold out to J. B. Dean, who has since 
continued the business. In 1879 Dr. Dimock 
bought his present ranch in San Miguelito 
Canon, which he improved by building a 
residence and planting an orchard. In 1886 
be began shipping horses from Lompoc to 
Los Angeles, which proved very profitable. 
He then invested in Santa Barbara, and en- 
gaged in the real-estate business, with Judge 
E. H. Ileacock, which interest he continued 
until 1889, when he returned to his ranch, 
still holding considerable property in Santa 
Barbara, part of which he improved. lie 
now owns 640 acres of white-pine lumber 
in Oregon, from which he anticipates great 
returns, and also a four-acre walnut grove at 
Carpentaria. 



Dr. Dim rock was married at Lompoc, 
November 9, 1880, to Miss Anna L. Ruffner, 
a daughter of Joseph Ruffner. Dr. Dimock 
rents his ranch; and after a varied and event- 
ful life, is now enjoying the fruits of his labors. 

- -~*-i^*-3*-^|«-». 

JIH B. HAYDOCKis the Principal of the 
j | ml Hueneme school in Ventura County. 
-^% Q He was born in Paducah, Kentucky, 
March 20, 1867. His father, R. M. Hay- 
dock, was also a native of Kentucky, born in 
1831, and now resides in Monrovia, Los 
Angeles County. His grandfather, John 
Haydock, was born in North Carolina. Mr. 
Haydock's mother, nee Elizabeth Watts, was 
a native of Kentucky, and her father, David 
Watts, was born in North Carolina and re- 
moved to Kentucky, being one of the 
pioneers of that State. The subject of this 
sketch is the fifth of a family of seven chil- 
dren, all of whom are living. When a child 
he was brought to California by bis parents, 
in 1873, and received his education in the 
public schools of this State. He graduated 
at the State Normal School of Los Angeles, 
December 17, 1885, taught one year in the 
Arnaz district, Ventura County, and since 
that time has been connected with the school 
at Hueneme, as Principal. In 1888 he was 
appointed b}' the Supervisors of Ventura 
County, a member of the Board of Education, 
which position be now occupies. In 1890, 
for County Clerk on the Democrat ticket, he 
ran 125 votes ahead of his fellow candidates, 
while the average Republican majority for 
that year was about 300. Mr. Haydock has 
chosen teaching as his profession, and thus 
far has met with excellent success, gaining 
the confidence and respect of his pupils, as 
well as of the patrons of the school. 11 is 
qualifications as a teacher, combined with his 



448 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJSf LUIS OBISPO 



love for the work, make him a fitting in- 
structor for the young. 

Mr. Haydock was reared a Methodist, but 
is not a member of the church. Politically 
he is independent in his views, trying always 
to select the best man. 

K*-H» tg » ; n s »-g»-«" 

fH. HERBST is one of the self-made, 
successful business men of Hueneme. 
01 He was born in Germany, February 
16. 1861, the son of Jacob Abraham Herbst 
and his wife, Ester (Hines) Herbst, the 
former a native of Russia and the latter of 
Germany. It was the intention of J. A. 
Herbst, who was a Hebrew, to educate his 
son for a rabbi, and his education was con- 
ducted with that object in view until he was 
twelve years of age. By the death of his 
father, at this time, their plans were thwarted, 
and young Herbst was obliged to work to 
help support the family. When eighteen 
years of age he started for the United States 
to find, in the land of the free, better facil- 
ities for improving his financial condition, 
with $1.75. He worked his way to New 
York city, and for twelve years he labored 
and struggled in that densely populated city, 
trying to lay up something, and meeting with 
poor success. In the mean time he married 
Miss Dora Cohn, a native of Germany. Three 
children were born to them in New York 
city, but the densely crowded tenement 
houses, with but little fresh and much foul 
air, caused sickness. Two of the children 
died and the expenses attendant upon sick- 
ness and death took all he could earn and con- 
stantly kept him poor. In 1879 he started with 
his little family for California, with scarcely 
means enough to reach the Golden West. He 
located in Saticoy, Ventura County, where he 
worked for wages for a year, and during that 



time saved $100, with which he started a little 
grocery business, on a very small scale, going 
in debt to a considerable extent, which he did 
not find difficult to do as he was well recom- 
mended. He continued at Saticoy nearly 
two years. In 1881 he came to Hueneme 
and purchased his present store and the build- 
ing in which it is located. The building was 
then new, and they used the upper story tor 
a dwelling. He keeps a fine stock of general 
merchandise, and is doing a good business. 
His wife often assists him in the store. Mr. 
Herbst has been remarkably successful since 
he came to Callifornia. He now has $5,000 
at interest, and does a $30,000 business. He 
has been blessed with a family of bright chil- 
dren: Hattie, born in New York city, and 
Jacob, Herman, Ester and Moses, born in 
Ventura County, California. Mr. and Mrs. 
Herbst are both Hebrews. In political views 
he is Democratic. He is a well informed 
and progressive business man; and is another 
illustration of what a poor, honest man, with 
a strong determination to succeed, can accom- 
plish in this State. He is also one of the 
many sons of Germany who have come to 
the United States and by their successful life 
are a credit not only to their native land but 
also to the land of their adoption. 



■"" | » 3mS«| «"» 



EUBEN W. HILL, M. D., San Buena- 
ventura, was born .November 27, 1845, 
in Arlington, Vermont. His father, 
Abner Hill, was also a native of Vermont 
and of English descent. Their ancestors had 
been in that State on the original grant since 
the founding of the colony. The Doctor's 
mother, nee Miriam Webb, was born in Sun- 
derland, Vermont, of Holland descent, but 
resident for a time equally long in America. 
Dr. Hill, the youngest of eight children, was 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



449 



brought up in the State of New York and 
graduated at Washington Academy, one of 
the oldest institutions of learning in that 
State. In medicine he graduated at the 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College at New 
York city. He began practice in Monterey, 
Mexico, and one year afterward he removed 
to Salto, Argentine Republic. Was surgeon 
on the Pacific steamship line for two years. 
In 1874 he came to Santa Barbara, and since 
that time he has practiced in Santa Barbara 
and Ventura. His residence has been in the 
latter town since 1877. Here he has pur- 
chased a home, and has been connected with 
all the interests of the place to the present 
time. 

The Doctor is a veteran of the civil war, 
having enlisted when seventeen years of age, 
in Company E, First New York Mounted 
Rifles, and served in the department of Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina, three and a half 
years, or until after the close of the war. He 
participated in all the battles of his depart- 
ment. After the close of the battles of the 
Peninsula they were in North Carolina in a 
raid, and did not learn of General Lee's sur- 
render until six days afterward; and they had 
a sharp battle six days after the surrender of 
Lee. The Doctor consistently belongs to the 
G. A. R., being a member of Cushing Post, 
No. 44, at San Buenaventura, for which post 
he holds the office of surgeon. He has also 
been coroner of Ventura County, and County 
Physician of Santa Barbara County. In 1878 
he was made a Master Mason. He is a tal- 
ented physician, having a good practice and 
the confidence of a wide and respectable 
patronage. 

Dr. Hill was married 1875, to Miss Mary 
C. Gutierrez, daughter of Benigno Gutierrez, 
a native of Chili and a pioneer of California. 
They have eight children, whose names 
are Emmet, Ruby, Benigno, Edwin, Jessie, 



Annette and James. Mrs. Hill is a member 
of the Catholic Church. 

tD. BONESTEL is a pioneer business 
man of the State, having landed on 
r ° the golden shore in 1849. He was 
born May 30, 1826, in New York, a son of 
John Bonestel, who was a native of the same 
State. His ancestors on his father's side 
were German. His mother was a native of 
Connecticut. In their family were four sons 
and two daughters. Mr. Bonestel, our sub- 
ject, and one of his sisters, are all that are 
now living. He was brought up on a farm 
and when grown he came to California by 
way of Panama, and during a part of the 
succeeding winter lie followed gold-mining 
in El Dorado County, on Hangtown Creek, 
in partnership with three others. Intending 
to build a saw-mill, they obtained the mate- 
rial and machinery — the freight charges on 
which were excessively large — and the rains 
set in, compelling thein to abandon the en- 
terprise for the season. They continued 
mining until they obtained gold enough to 
pay these charges and other debts on the mill 
material, when Mr. Bonestel found he had 
about $700 left. Then, with a partner, he 
bought a log hotel in Placerville, at $3,000, 
with the aid of borrowed money. They ran 
this hotel for two years, and in 1854 erected 
a brick building at Placerville, a place then 
of 4,000 or 5,000 inhabitants. The lower 
story was rented for stores, and above was a 
concert hall. Mr. Bonestel speculated in 
cattle and horses, and during the winters of 
1860-'63 he was clerk of the California State 
Legislature. In 1862 he started on a visit 
to the East, taking passage on board the 
Golden Gate, which had about 350 passengers. 
She was burned on the sea, only 150 passen- 



450 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



gers makirg their escape. The boat in which 
Mr. Bonestel was taking refuge was water- 
logged as night was approaching. The other 
two boats came along, one on each side, and 
took the passengers out, bailed the boat and 
the load was evenly distributed between the 
three boats. During the night the boats 
became separated. In Mr.. Bonestel's boat 
were four sailors, and they supposed when 
morning came that, as the sea was against 
them, they would still be found above Man- 
cinillo. They rowed hard, and took turns at 
the oars all day. As night approached and 
no signs of the town appearing, they decided 
to land through the surf on a sand beach. 
They were upset in the surf, but got ashore. 
One man had $6,000 in a buckskin vest, and 
lest it should sink him he took it off. The 
sailors advised him to make it fast to the 
boat, and it would be wafted ashore; but he 
endeavored to bring it in his hands and was 
obliged to let go of it and it was all forever 
lost. Another man, who had a gold-brick of 
about $2,000 value, tied up in a handker- 
chief, fastened it to the boat and it came 
ashore all right. 

After landing the party traveled several 
miles before finding potable water, arriving 
at a river. Soon afterward they reached a 
small Mexican hamlet and learned they were 
100 miles below Mancinillo and could not go 
back on the coast, but would be obliged to 
make a detour back in the country to find a 
road on which they could travel. They were 
but partially clothed, as those who had clothes 
divided with those who had nearly nothing. 
They supposed that the country was infested 
with Mexican robbers, and were trying to en- 
gage the Mexicans to take them on horse- 
back to the coast, when one little Frenchman, 
who had no garments, was particularly afraid 
of the Mexicans. While they were talking 
they heard the clatter of horses' ieet and the 



clanking of spurs and swords. The French- 
man started into the brush as fast as he could 
run, to escape for his life, when the paity 
came up and proved to be men from another 
village who heard of the disaster and came up 
to see what assistance they could render. 
Mr. Bonestel says he always laughs when he 
remembers the figure that little Frenchman 
made as he ran, in his red shirt and drawers, 
as fast as if he had been shot out of a cannon. 
They finally reached the town, and twenty 
days elapsed after the disaster to their boat 
before they obtained another, on which they 
proceeded to New York. After remaining 
in New York three months visiting his fam- 
ily, he took passage on the steamer Ariel for 
California, which carried 800 men, women 
and children. Some apprehensions were en- 
tertained that the rebel vessel Alabama 
might fall in with them and capture them; 
and much sport was indulged in concerning 
the matter. Several times it was stated that 
the Alabama was sighted, which however 
proved each time to be a hoax; but when 
off the east end of the island of Cuba Mr. 
Bonestel and others were below, eating their 
dinner. The butier put down his head and 
cried out, " The Alabama is after us!" Mr. 
Bonestel replied, "Oh, that's chesnuts;" but 
in a very short time they heard the report 
of a gun, and he and his friends made an 
effort to get upon deck. They were met by 
a crowd of people trying to get below. The 
shot which they heard was indeed the Ala- 
bama firing a blank cartridge at them to make 
then slack their speed and surrender. The 
Captain of the Ariel did not stop, and soon 
they saw two puffs of smoke from two of the 
guns of the Alabama, and they saw, or sup- 
posed they saw, two large balls coming di- 
rectly toward them. They seemed as plain 
as a base ball. One of them struck the main 
mast and tore a large piece out of it and 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES- 



451 



caused the splinters of the mast to fly all 
over her deck. The Ariel was stopped and 
a boat was sent by the Alabama to take their 
captain. All the passengers were filled with 
turprise and terror; some of the ladies fainted, 
and others went into hysterics. When the 
officer, Lieutenant Lowe, came on deck, many 
implored him to spare them and asked him 
to save them. He replied, " Ladies and gen- 
tlemen, not one of you will be harmed or in- 
jured;" and then they began to ask him all 
kinds of questions what he was going to do 
with them. Their questions were all an- 
swered in a polite manner; and such was the 
wall ant bearing of the officer that they actu- 
ally began to admire him. It was finally de- 
cided that the passengers would be landed at 
Kingston; but when they arrived at that point 
a vessel came out, which was spoken by Cap- 
tain Semmes of the Alabama. He then sent 
word for the Captain of the Ariel to come on 
board the Alabama, informing him that the 
yellow fever was raging in Kingston and lie 
did not wish to disembark. He said that if 
the captain of the Ariel would give bonds 
fur the value of the boat— $300,000— he 
would let them go. The arrangement was 
made and they were permitted to resume 
their voyage, and they arrived at San Fran- 
cisco January 2, 1863. 

Mr. Bonestel resumed his place in the Sen- 
ate that winter as clerk, and after its ad- 
journment went to Austin, Nevada, and 
speculated in mining property and also 
opened an office or bank, with a partner, and 
conducted it for two years. He then bought 
out his partner and the First National Bank 
was started there. He closed his business 
and was elected vice-president of the First 
National Bank of Nevada. At the end of a 
year he found his health failing, and he came 
to San Francisco, bought an interest in a 
book and stationery store, and remained there 



until 1871. Then selling out, he made an- 
other trip to the East, and returned in the 
winter of 1872. He then was a resident of 
San Francisco until January, 1875, specu- 
lating in stocks; and finally he came to Ven- 
tura County and four years held the position 
of under sheriff. The next two years he 
speculated in grain and cattle. In 1882, 
•forming a partnership with Messrs. Chaffee 
and Gilbert, under the firm name of Chaffee, 
Gilbert & Bonestel, they afterward added 
the lumber trade to their business of general 
merchandising, and since then they have 
been carrying on these trades until Febru- 
ary, 1890. They then sold out their lumber 
business. In October the farmers organized 
and incorporated a lumber company under 
the name of the People's Lumber Company, 
and elected Mr. Bonestel their president and 
general manager of the company. 

Mr. Bonestel was brought up a Democrat, 
but during the war became a Republican, and 
so has since remained. 

He was married in 1868, to Miss Nannie 
Smith, a native of Louisiana, but brought 
when an infant by her parents to California. 
Their three children, all born in San Fran- 
cisco, are: Cora, Alonzo and Edith. Cora is 
now the wife of F. J. Sifford, of Ventura. 



» l ** l * 



^ON. B. T. WILLIAMS, Judge of the 
\ Superior Court of the county of Ven- 
tura, was born at Mt. Vernon, Missouri, 
December 25, 1850. His father, Dr. J. S. 
Williams, a native of Kentucky, was an emi- 
nent physician. His grandfather, Thomas 
Williams, was president of what is now the 
University of Kentucky. The ancestors of the 
family settled in North Carolina at a period 
so early that all accounts of it are lost. One 



452 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



of them, a relative of Daniel Boone, came to 
Kentucky with him. The judge's mother, 
whose maiden name wag Amanda Downing, 
was of the well-known Downing family of 
Fauquier County, Virginia, whose ancestors 
settled in that State at the time of the first 
settlement at Jamestown in 1607. Her 
father, Henry H. Downing, emigrated to 
Missouri in the early history of that State, 
and was a planter there upon land of his 
own. The Judge's parents had nine children, 
of whom six are still living. His father came 
with the family to California in 1853, when 
the subject of this sketch was three years old, 
settling in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and 
there the subject of this sketch grew up to 
years of maturity, and commenced the study 
of law in the office of the late Judge William 
Ross. In 1869 his father moved to San 
Diego, where he died in 1879. In 1869 
Judge Williams resumed the study of law 
with his brother, William T., now a mem- 
ber of the Los Angeles bar. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1871, and located at San 
Buenaventura, where he has since resided, 
engaged in the practice of his profession. 
Upon the organization of the county he was 
elected District Attorney, and served in that 
capacity acceptably for four years. Entering 
then into partnership with his brother, W. 
T. Williams, he continued in that relation 
with him until 1884, when he was elected to 
his present position, already stated. He is 
now serving his first term of six years, and 
has been unanimously renominated by the 
Republican party, the Democrats having de- 
clined to make any nomination against him, 
which assures his re-election. In his social 
relations he is present Master of the Masonic 
lodge in San Buenaventura, and is a member 
of the K. of P., A. O. U. W. and the A. L. 
of H. He was married Febauary 28, 1878, 
to Miss Irene Parsons. Their four children, 



all born in San Buenaventura, are: John T., 
Irene, Paul and Kate. 

Judge Benjamin Tully Williams is a repre- 
sentative American gentleman, good-tem- 
pered, affable, easily approached, and destitute 
of pride or ostentation. He has a fine legal 
mind, is a ready, easy speaker, gives his 
rulings promptly, and usually gives entire 
satisfaction. By showing his honest desire 
strictly to administer exact justice, both when 
district attorney and later as judge, his 
conduct has been such as to command the 
respect of the bar as well as the best citizens 
of both parties. And it is worthy of remark, 
also, that such is his physical development 
that were a sculptor looking for a model he 
could scarcely expect to find a better speci- 
men of the human race. He measures six 
feet four and a half inches high and weighs 
275 pounds; and his proportions are so well 
balanced that his movements are easy and not 
in the least retarded by his size. Being but 
forty years of age, a long and honorable life 
seems to lie before him. 



RION C. WALBRIDGE is the second 
brother of the Wal bridge Brothers. 
He was born in Texas, March 5, 1856. 
His father, Henry Walbridge, was a native of 
the State of New York, born in 1822. He 
was a farmer by occupation, and a consistent 
member of the Christian Church. His death 
occurred in 1883. Grandfather William Wal- 
bridge was born in Yermont, and was in the 
war of 1812. His wife was a niece of Com- 
modore Perry, and greatgrandfather Wal- 
bridge came from Scotland, and was a par- 
ticipant in the Revolutionary war. Mr. 
Walbridge's mother, nee Mary Crocker, was 
born in Indiana in 1829, a daughter of Orion 
L. Crocker, who was wounded in the war 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



453 



of 1812, was a cousin of the late Charles 
Crocker, and was a farmer and a devoted 
Christian man. Mr. and Mrs. Walbridge 
had six children, four sons and two daughters. 
The eldest son, William, has a family and 
lives in Washington. Harney M., a partner 
in the firm, has a wife and one child. What- 
ever he undertakes he aims to be the best, and 
will not be content with any second place. 
Mattie, the second sister, is a stenographer 
and typewriter operator, having a good po- 
sition in Santa Barbara. With O. C. Wal- 
bridge reside his mother, his sister Myra 
and his brother George. They are an interest- 
ing and intelligent family. The whole family 
are Good Templars. The sister is a member 
of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, 
and a prominent temperance worker. They 
are members of the Christian Church at 
Ventura. 

Mr. Walbridge came to this county in 
1873, and has been engaged in farming: and 
in the business of pressing hay. There is not 
a neighborhood in Ventura County in which 
the Walbridge brothers have not for years 
run their hay press, and they are the pioneer 
hay-balers of the county. Their business 
in that direction has so increased that they 
now own and operate two presses. This year, 
1890, they have planted 110 acres of Lima 
beans, of which the average crop is 1,500 to 
2,000 pounds per acre. Great honor is due 
to the honest toiler, whose steady blows and 
persistent work develop the country. 

ffAMES McKEE is the Nordhoff Justice 
! of the Peace, and he also holds the office 
of Notary Public for the town and Ven- 
tura County by appointment of his excel- 
lcancy, Governor Waterman. Mr. McKee 
dates his birth near Napoleon, Ripley County, 



Indiana, September 15, 1837. His father, 
Samuel McKee, was a native of Indiana, and 
his grandfather, David McKee, was born in 
Vermont. They are of Scotch ancestry. 
His mother, Emily (Langston) McKee, was 
born in Indiana, the daughter of Mr. Bennet 
Langston, a native of North Carolina. His 
parents had four children, of whom he is the 
oldest. Three are now living. He was 
reared and educated in Indiana, and began 
life as a teacher, but the great civil war 
broke in on his plans, after he had taught 
two years in the Ripley County schools. In 
the year 1862, it will be remembered, the 
great war had become a serious matter. The 
brave armies of the Union had met in mortal 
combat the ardent and heroic armies of the 
South, and the former had met with many 
severe reverses, and many of the brave men 
on both sides had been slain and many had 
been returned to their homes mutilated for 
life. The outlook was dark, indeed. And 
at such a time as this, Mr. McKee felt it to 
be his duty to give up teaching and enlist in 
the service of his country. He enlisted in 
Company F, Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, and was First Duty Sergeant of his 
company. He participated in the battles 
of Munfordville, and on September 12, 
1862, was taken prisoner, and was pa- 
roled and sent back to his State: soon 
after he was exchanged. He was sent to the 
front on detached duty at Nashville, where 
he was prostrated with disease and sent to 
the hospital, remaining there two months. 
The medical directors ordered him home to 
see if he could regain his health. He parti- 
ally recovered, reported for duty and was de- 
tached as indorsement clerk at Indianapolis, 
lie remained there until after the close of 
the war, and on June 30, 1865, was mustered 
out of the service. 

Mr. McKee then returned to his home and 



454 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



again took up his old profession and taught 
as Principal of Napoleon Schools until 1875, 
when his health gave out. As a last resort 
to save his life, he was sent to this coast. 
When recovery was almost effected he re- 
turned and removed to Iowa, where he re- 
mained five years, in agricultural pursuits. 
He then disposed of his property in Iowa 
and permanently settled in Nordhoff, Cali- 
fornia, in 1887. He purchased a small ranch 
and has a nice place planted to fruits, vines 
and flowers. 

In 1857 Mr. McKee was married to Miss 
Nancy C. Eaton, a native of Indiana, daugh- 
ter of Mr. Edmund Eaton, who was horn in 
Vermont. They have had four children, two 
of whom, are living, both born in Napoleon, 
Indiana: Sarah Ellen is the wife of Mr. John 
Linder and resides at Nordhoff, and Clarence 
lives with his parents. Mr. McKee became 
a Republican when the party was organized 
and has seen no good reason to leave its 
ranks. He is a member of the Baptist 
Church and his wife is a member of the 
Christian Church. 



DWARD F. ARNOLD was born in 
HI Martinez, Contra Costa County, Cali- 
fornia, November 4, 1853. His father, 
Cutler Arnold, came to California in 1849. 
(See sketch of the family in the history of 
Mr. Mathew Arnold, a brother of Edward 
F.) Mr. Arnold was reared and educated in 
the county of Lassen and in Sacramento, and' 
came to Ventura County before he was 
twenty-one years old. When he reached his 
majority he owned 120 acres of land near 
Hueneme. In 1886, being in poor health, 
he sold this property to his brother and came 
to Nordhoff. He purchased 100 acres of 
land, improved it in part, and sold it in 1887. 



Lie then engaged in the mercantile business, 
the firm being; Arnold & Van Curen. A 
year later he sold out and built his present 
drug store. The firm of Arnold & Sager 
have the only drug house in Nordhoff. It 
is well fitted and stocked with everything in 
the drug line. These gentlemen, being 
courteous and obliging, have established a 
fine trade and enjoy the good-will of the 
entire community. 

Mr. Arnold has built for himself and fam- 
ily a comfortable residence, has regained his 
health, and is now in a fair situation to enjoy 
life. He was married in 1878 to Miss Lou 
Trotter, a native of Illinois, and a resident 
of California since 1877. They have three 
children, two born at Hueneme and one at 
Nordhoff, viz.: Albert Walter, Lora L. and 
Frank. Mr. Arnold is a Republican; was 
elected Justice of the Peace, but, not desir- 
ing office, resigned. 



EORGE ROBERTS, a pioneer, and a 
prominent developer of the interests of 
Lompoc, was born at New York Mills, 
New York, May 22, 1832. His father was a 
machinist, and had charge of the machinery 
of the New York Mills large manufactory. 
Our subject's education was very limited, ex- 
cept as he acquired knowledge by observa- 
tion. At the early age of ten years he began 
life upon the "tow path" of the Erie Canal, 
as driver in towing boats, which occupation 
he followed for three summers. He then 
went to Lewis County and was employed as 
a farm hand until 1849, when he went to 
New York city, and for four years was em- 
ployed as driver on the East Broadway Stage 
Line. He then returned to Lewis County 
and engaged in farming until 1860, when he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



455 



came to California, first settling at Omega, 
Nevada County. He there established a 
general merchandise house, and did an ex- 
tensive business with the surrounding min- 
ing camps, within a radius of twenty miles, 
packing his supplies on pack animals and by 
mule teams. This he continued very success- 
fully until 1870, when he sold out and came 
to San Jose. There he invested extensively 
in real estate, and also conducted a wholesale 
and retail merchandise store, and for a short 
period conducted a hotel. The store and 
hotel he sold in 1874, and took stock in the 
Lompoc Valley Land Company; he was 
elected secretary of the company, and No- 
vember 9, 1874, attended the first sale of 
land in the valley, and purchased quite ex- 
tensively. Mr. Roberts then returned to San 
Jo6e for the winter, and in the spring of 
1875 established himself at Lompoc, where 
he was the agent of the Lompoc Yalley Land 
Company. He started the first drug store, 
on the corner of H and Ocean avenues, and 
soon added general merchandise to his stock, 
which he continued until 1879, when he sold 
ont, and since that time has given his atten- 
tion more particularly to the sale of lands. He 
formerly owned a stock ranch of 800 acres, 
where he was extensively engaged in breed- 
ing horses. He now owns 775 acres of val- 
ley land, which he rents, twenty-seven town 
blocks, partially improved with residences, 
and much improved business and residence 
property at San Jose. Mr. Roberts is pres- 
ident of the Rank of Lompoc, which was or- 
ganized May 20, 1890; he is now erecting a 
brick building, 50 x 80 feet, corner of H and 
Ocean avenues, ior bank purposes. lie has 
demonstrated by his caieer that the enjoy- 
ment of college privileges or the inheritance 
of wealth are not essential ingredients to the 
successful business life. 

Mr. Roberts was married at Osceola, Lewis 



County, New York, in 1851, to Miss Nancy 
Green. They have no children. 



- C. BREWSTER, a well known and 
highly esteemed citizen of San Buena- 
ventura, who has been connected with 
the growth of the place and interested in its 
moral and business welfare, and now the pro- 
prietor of the art gallery, was born in Wayne 
County, Ohio, December 31, 1841. His 
father, Calvin Brewster, was born in Canter- 
bury, Windham County, Connecticut, in 
1787, a descendant of Sir William Brewster 
who came to the New World on the May- 
flower in 1620. He (Sir William) was the 
father of Love Brewster, and the generations 
in succession were Wrestling, Jonathan, who 
came to Windham, Connecticut, in 1729, 
Peleg, born in 1717, who must have removed 
to Canterbury when quite young, for his old- 
est son, John — who made the sixth genera- 
tion — was born in that town in 1739. Peleg 
was Mr. Brewster's great-grandfather. Jed- 
ediah, a younger son of his, was Mr. Brew- 
ster's grandfather. The record of Jedediah's 
birth wa-i lost; but the town records show 
that he was married to Prudence Robinson 
May 19, 1773. According to the good- 
fashion in those good old times, they had 
a good large family, and about every two 
years there was a record of a birth in the 
family. The names on the record are as fol- 
lows : Elizabeth, Silas, Anson, Fiorina, Sarah, 
Calvin and Jedediah, Jr. Elizabeth, Sarah 
and Jedediah died in childhood, and January, 
1789, the good wife Prudence died, and the 
next autumn Jedediah married tor his second 
wife Miss Asenath Ilapgood, to aid in the 
care of the family. He removed a fev year6 
later to Berne, Albany County, New York. 
In 1808 he sold some of his land to Silas 



45G 



SANTA BA1WA11A, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Brewster and the deed descends to him as 
living at Berne. The same year he sold his 
homestead to Deacon Barnabas Allen, whose 
son still owns it. It is about lour miles from 
the village of Canterbury. A descendant of 
the Brewsters was recently there and was 
shown around by the proprietor. She drank 
from the old well that had been in uninter- 
rupted use for more than a century. The 
farm is considered one of the best in that 
section, although a Western farmer would 
consider it very poor land. The old burying- 
ground was about a mile from the house. It 
was given to that part of the town by one of 
the Brewsters, and has been used by four or 
five generations and about a dozen families. 
Here are the names of Prudence Brewster 
and the children alluded to. In the lot are 
some stones so old that the inscriptions have 
become completely defaced, and some have 
sunk so deeply in the ground that only their 
tops are visible. The graveyard, however, is 
kept in excellent condition by a Miss Win- 
chester, whose ancestors have been buried 
there for several generations. She is a spin- 
ster of eighty-five years — the last of her fam- 
ily. She has made provisions in her will to 
have the graveyard kept in condition after she 
lias gone. She remembered old 'Diah Brew- 
ster, as she called him, and said her mother 
used to go over there on certain occasions. 
Mr. Brewster's mother, whose maiden 
name was Harriet Cramer, was a native of 
Strausburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 
and was born in 1813, of Dutch ancestry. 
The parents were married in 1887 and had a 
family of six children, of whom the subject 
of this sketch was the second. He was 
eight years old when the family moved to 
Iowa. Before he was of age he taught two 
terms of school, holding a first grade certifi- 
cate both in Iowa and Missouri. He began 
to learn the art of photography in 1860, in 



Warsaw, Illinois, and since then has devoted 
his entire attention to it. In 1862 he came 
to California and for a short time taught a 
select school in Sacramento city. Soon after- 
ward he engaged in partnership with Frank 
M. Stamper, and subsequently he sold to his 
partner and took charge of a photograph 
gallery on J street, that city, and continued 
in its charge until the proprietor sold it. 
Then he went to Yirginia City, Nevada, and 
took charge of the gallery of P. H. "Vance, 
of New York, who was a pioneer photogra- 
pher of the coast. Next he had charge of a 
gallery at Carson City, for the same party. 
In the spring of 1865 he went to Idaho 
with a Concord wagon and four bronchos, 
for Sutterly Brothers, and opened business at 
Ruby City. They had good success there, 
and his salary was $5.0 a week, and board 
without room $16 a week. In the fall they 
went to Placerville and also to Centerville; 
thence to Salt Lake City. There Mr. Sut- 
terly built a gallery and Mr. Brewster con- 
tinued to run the tent at Douglas, three miles 
east. In the spring of 1866 they moved 
into the new gallery and did a large business, 
the receipts sometimes reaching $200 a day. 
Soon after this Mr. Brewster went to Helena, 
Montana, and opened a gallery for himself. 
In the fall of 1868 he sold it and returned to 
Salt Lake City, and continued in business 
there and at several other towns in the vicin- 
ity, with fine success, until the next spring. 
He then went to Nevada, and was there until 
1871, with his brother-in-law as partner. 
They had a large gallery and fine building. 
Thence he went to Visalia and to San Fran- 
cisco, where his mother then resided. His 
health had failed, but soon after returning 
home he recovered, and began work for Will- 
iam Shew, on Kearny street; but at length 
he was discharged because he would not 
work on Sunday. He then worked for Brad. 



AND VEN'lUltA UoUJSTIKS. 



451 



ley & Rulofson until he decided to begin on 
his own account. He had a nice trade at 
San Luis Obispo until 1874, when he came 
to San Buenaventura and opened a gallery 
near the mission church. A year afterward 
he moved between Oak and California streets 
and built a gallery, with the privilege of 
moving it. In the spring of 1877 he bought 
his present location on Oak street and moved 
the gallery there, building additions to it, 
and has since then conducted his business 
with brilliant success. His gallery is splen- 
didly equi pped, and is filled with samples of his 
work which reflect great credit upon his skill. 
He was among the very first to adopt the dry- 
plate method, so superior to the old method. 
He has recently built a nice two-story res- 
idence on Santa Clara street, surrounding it 
with choice flowers and young trees and 
shrubs. In 1875 he married Mrs. Mary O. 
Sinclair, widow of J. S. Sinclair; her maiden 
name was Mary Oberia Hadley. They have 
had two children, but lost the little son. 
Their daughter, Pansy Augusta, was born in 
Ventura, August 15, 1880. Mr. Brewster 
has been elected one of the School Trustees 
of the city; he is a Prohibition Republican, 
a business man of talent and a citizen with- 
out reproach. He is an Elder in the Pres- 
byterian Church, of which denomination his 
family are also members. He is Treasurer 
of the Young Men's Christian Asssociation, 
and has been made an honorary member of 
the Women's Christian Temperance Union. 
He is also Treasurer and Depositary of the 
American Bible Society at Ventura. 



A. SMITH is one of the great family 
of Smiths and is a worthy citizen of 
° the Ojai Valley, Ventura County. He 
was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, 

29 



September 18, 1845, the sou of Morgan and 
Elizabeth (Martin) Smith, both natives of 
Pennsylvania, the former of Scotch descent, 
and the latter of Scotch- German descent, her 
father's ancestors having been Scotch and 
her mother's German. They were the par- 
ents of six children, five of whom are living. 
The subject of this sketch was their second 
child. He was reared in Ohio, and whs at- 
tending: school when the war of the Rebel- 
lion burst upon the country. The call to arms 
resounded through every city and village 
throughout the entire North and Ea.-t, and 
the sound of the fife and drum could be heard 
in every town. Young Smith, filled with 
patriotic ardor, enlisted in Company E, 
Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a 
high private, and served through the whole 
bloody struggle, re-enlisting when his first 
term of service expired. He participated in 
all the battles of the Army of the Cumber- 
land. Sometimes his clothes were torn by 
shot and shell, but, strange to say, his flesh 
never received as much as a scratch. The 
most sanguinary battles in which he was en- 
gaged were Stone River, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sion Ridge and Nashville. In these battles 
vast numbers of brave men were slain on 
both sides, besides the thousands who were 
mutilated for life. Mr. Smith's re-enlist- 
ment occurred at Chattanooga. He was mus- 
tered out at Nashville, Tennessee, in October, 
1865. 

At the close of the war Mr. Smith re- 
turned home and engaged in farming, which 
he continued on a farm of his own until 1872, 
when he sold out and emigrated to Nebraska. 
He there took up a Government claim of 100 
acres, and improved the land by erecting 
buildings, etc., and resided there eleven years. 
His health failed at that time, his disease be- 
ing asthma, and his physician advised a 
change of climate. In 1883 he disposed of 



458 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



his property and came to California, first to 
Los Angeles, and a few months later to Ven- 
tura County. Finding the climate of the Ojai 
Valley conducive to his health, he purchased 
forty acres of land, upon which he has erected 
a neat and commodious home. He has 
planted trees, which have grown rapidly, and 
his place has become an attractive one. His 
property joins the town of Nordhoff on the 
east, and he enjoys the advantages of schools, 
churches, postoffice and stores. Mr. Smith 
is engaged in raising poultry, horses and cat- 
tle, and he also produces large quantities of 
hay. The balmy air of this delightful climate 
has restored him to health, and life that had 
become a burden is now a pleasure. 

In 1867 the subject of this sketch was 
united in marriage with Miss Ann G. Eddy, 
a native of Athens County, Ohio, and a 
daughter of Thomas Eddy, a farmer of that 
county. They have five children, all living, 
two born in Ohio, two in Nebraska, and one 
in Ventura County, California, viz.: Clara 
H., Fanny A., Winnie V., Ira Elaine, and 
Ellsworth, named for Colonel Ellsworth, who 
pulled down the rebel flag and was shot. 

Mr. Smith was a delegate to the Republi- 
can National Convention, from Nebraska, in 
1884; was sent as a Grant man, but, under 
the unit rule, voted for Mr. Blaine. Mr. 
Smith, like James K. Polk, enjoys the dis- 
tinction of being Roadmaster of his district, 
and the district enjoys the convenience of 
first-class roads. He is a temperance man, a 
Republican, a member of the I. O. 0. F., and 
a member of the Temple of Honor. 



A. SIMPSON came to California in 
1860 and to Ventura in 1861 when 
9 there were only three or four other 
Americans in the place, namely, William 



Hobson, James Beebee and Alex. Cameron. 
He was born in York Township, Jefferson 
County, New York, August 27, 1825. His 
father, Sylvanus Simpson, was a native of the 
State of New York, of Scotch descent; and 
his mother, nee Susan Harrington, was a 
native of Vermont. They had four sons and 
two daughters, and moved from New York 
to Ohio when the subject of this sketch, the 
fourth child, was eleven years old, and settled 
on a farm in Sandusky County. Mr. Simp- 
son was therefore reared upon a farm, and 
began agriculture on his own account on a 
quarter section of land in Indiana, upon 
which he moved directly after his marriage. 
His wite died five years afterward, and then, 
in 1852, he came to California, spent two 
years in Los Angeles County, stopping a 
short time in San Francisco and then re- 
turned East, married again, and in 1859 sold 
his place and came again to California. This 
time he settled first in Santa Barbara County, 
in that portion which is now Ventura County. 
He brought with him across the plains forty 
head of American cows, three yoke of cattle, 
three mares and two wagons. In Ventura he 
opened the first hotel, in an adobe building 
on West Main street, on the south side, and 
west of Ventura avenue. He was also the 
first Postmaster of Ventura, holding the office 
four years. His hotel, called the American 
House, he sold, and also his cattle and other 
live-stock, and in 1865 bought his present 
homestead property of 150 acres, of which 
he has since sold fifty acres: forty acres are 
on the other side of the avenue. Previously 
he speculated to some extent until 1872, when 
he built his present nice residence, which he 
occupies with his children, whom he has 
given a good education at San Francisco and 
Oakland. Of the homestead there are twenty- 
five acres of fifteen-year-old bearing walnut 
trees, which now yield from fifty to 200 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



45'J 



pounds to each tree. He has also twenty 
acres of apricots, apples and other fruit. The 
apples are of the varieties Pearmain, Bell- 
flower, Rhode Island Greening, etc., and they 
all do well. The fruit sells at from one to 
two cents a pound. The remainder of the 
farm is devoted to general agriculture, — corn, 
barley, alfalfa hay and potatoes. Mr. Simp- 
son is a member of the three principal 
branches of Freemasonry, in good standing; 
and as a citizen he has seen the country grow 
from its pioneer condition to its present 
paradisical proportions. 

Mr. Simpson was first married in 1847, to 
Miss Eliza Smith, a native of Ohio, and they 
have one child, Helen L. Mrs. Simpson 
died, as before stated, and he afterward mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Bisby, a native of Canandai- 
gua, New York, and they had two sons and 
one daughter: George B., Charlie C. and 
Sarah B. This Mrs. Simpson died in 1864, 
and since then Mr. Simpson has not again 
married. Mr. Simpson's daughter Helen is 
married to J. H. Walker and resides in Ta- 
coma, Washington; George is married and 
lives in San Francisco; Charles is at home 
with his father; Sarah B. is married to G. 
W. Huston, a son of Dr. George Huston of 
San Francisco, ex-Mayor of that city. 



|ATHAN W. BLAN CHARD, a promi- 
nent pioneer of Ventura County and 
founder of the town of Santa Paula, 
was born in Madison, Maine, July 24, 1831. 
His father, Merrill Blanchard, was born in 
Abington, Massachusetts, July 18, 180G. 
His grandfather, Dean Blanchard, and his 
great-grandfather, Captain Thomas Blanch- 
ard, and his ancestors two generations farther 
back were natives of the same State. His 
ancestor was of French Huguenot stock, who 



settled near London, having been driven 

from his own country by persecution. His 

ancestor, Thomas Blanchard, the ancestor of 

a large part of the New England families of 

that name, came from London in 1639. In 

the manufacturing interest of that Com- 
es 

monwealth they have been active as ma- 
chinists and inventors, doing a large share 
in the production of labor-saving machinery. 
Mr. Blanchard's mother, nee Eunice Weston, 
was born in Madison, Maine, on the Kenne- 
bec River, in 1804, the daughter of Deacon 
Benjamin Weston. At that point two gener- 
ations of the family had resided. Mr. Blanch- 
ard's parents had six children, three daughters 
and three sons, and they are all living. Mr. 
Blanchard was educated at Houlton Academy 
and Waterville College — now Colby Uni- 
versity — where lie received his degrees. 

In 1854 he came to California and en 
gaged in mining for a season near Columbia, 
Tuolumne County, and in the fall went to 
Iowa Hill, Placer County, and conducted a 
meat market there for four years; then he 
went to Dutch Flat, continuing in part in 
the same business several years longer. From 
1864 to 1872 he was engaged in lumbering 
with excellent success. Sellino- out he came 
to Ventura County and in partnership with 
E. B. Higgins purchased the site of the town 
of Santa Paula — 2,700 acres. In the fall 
of 1872 he bought Mr. Higgins' interest and 
sold it to E. L. Bradley. The firm at once 
began to make valuable improvements on 
the property, in fencing and conducting 
water to it from the bed of the creek two 
miles above the town. From it they also ob- 
tained water for the lands and power for 
their flouring-mill, which they built. This 
mill and all the property were managed by 
Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Bradley being a non- 
resident. In 1885 the property was parti- 
tioned, and Mr. Blanchard now gives his 



460 



SANTA BARBARA, SAX LUIS OBISPO 



whole attention to the production of citrus 
fruits. In 1874 he had an orange grove of 
100 acres, planted by Mr. Clark, who did the 
work for an interest on the same; and they 
afterward bought Mr. Clark's interest. In 
1876 they budded 1,000 trees to lemons and 
as many more to different varieties of 
oranges. The orchard remained so long in 
an unbearing condition that most people had 
decided that it would never bear; and not 
until 1888 did the orchard return a profit. 
In 1889 Mr. Blanchard shipped 8,386 boxes 
of oranges and 2,540 boxes of lemons. The 
prospects now are that it will continue to in- 
crease in productiveness for many years. No 
fertilizer has been used; the soil being a 
very deep, rich loam. 

The family are delightfully situated in 
their California home, surrounded with the 
trees and flowers of their own planting, and 
overlooking the town which Mr. Blanchard 
platted and with which he has had so much 
to do in its improvement and growth. He 
has also aided materially in the construction 
of the academy, and is now president of its 
board of trustees; has also taken a lively in- 
terest in the public schools, serving as trus r 
tee of the same several years. He is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the three principal branches of 
Freemasonry, having passed the chairs in 
both the blue lodge and the commandery 
and also the lodge of Odd Fellows. In his 
religious views he is a Congregationalist, and 
in his political a Kepublican. He is a good, 
straight-forward business man and unassum- 
in his manner. While in Placer County, he 
was elected District Collector and served two 
years, then was elected to the State Legis- 
lature, and subsequently declined a nomi- 
nation tendered him, when the nomination 
insured an election. In the Legislature he 
served efficiently on the Committee on Edu- 



cation, and was author of a bill enacted into 
a law which suppressed an immorality prev- 
alent in the mining towns of the State, 
namely, bands of dancing girls, who period- 
ically visited the mining communities, played 
the tambourine and made the drinking sa- 
loons their headquarters. 

In the fall of 1864 he went East on a visit, 
and December 21, married Miss Ann Eliza- 
beth Hobbs, a native of North Berwick, 
Maine, and daughter of Wilson Hobbs, an 
old resident of that State. They have two 
daughters and one son, all born in Califor- 
nia, namely: Sarah E., Eunice W. and 
Nathan W. The elder daughter is now in 
San Francisco studying art. 



L. WOLFF, the senior partner of 
the firm of Wolff & Lehmaun, gen- 
: sHm5^' q ' eral merchants of H'ueneme, is a 
native of France, born March 2, 1855. 
After the German and French war, in 1871, 
he came to California, and was one year in 
San Francisco, attending a business college 
arjd learning the English language. He then 
went to San Luis Obispo, and clerked for A. 
Blochman & Co., three years. In 1875 he 
came to Hueneme and formed the firm of 
Wolff & Levy, in the general merchandise 
business, doing a successful business for ten 
years, until 1885, when Mr. Wolff bought 
out his partner, Mr. Levy, and gave an in- 
terest to Mr. Lehmann, who had formerly 
been one of the clerks of the firm. Since 
then the business has continued to prosper. 
They have a large double store, and include 
in their stock everything in the general mer- 
chandise line; the stock is so complete that 
scarcely anything in any department of trade 
or business is left out. The store is well 
equipped with the conveniences necessary to 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



4lil 



handle so large a stock, and the arrange merits 
of the different departments is first-class in 
every respect. They buy wool, grain and 
beans in large quantities, and have excellent 
storage and shipping facilities; the trade of 
the house extends from twenty five to thirty- 
five miles. The store is 90 x 100 feet, and 
two stories high. 

Mr. Wolff was married in 1887, to Miss 
B. Levy, a native of San Francisco, and of 
French ancestry. They have one daughter, 
Jeannette, born in Huenerae, May 10, 1889. 
While he has been very assiduous in business, 
he has not neglected the social side of life, 
and has built himself and family a beautiful 
home, surrounded with flowers and rare 
plants. He spends his evenings with his 
wife and little daughter. Mr. Wolff is a 
very evenly developed business man. nut an 
extremist in any respect, and his e linent 
success shows his financial ability. In his 
political views he is a Democrat. 

- -— §****#«- — 

M. JONES, proprietor of the Santa 
Clara Hotel and an old resident of San 
1° Buenaventura, came to this State in 
1852. He wa6 born in Manchester, England, 
February 14, 1839. His parents, Edward 
and Elizabeth (Markland) Jones, were Eng- 
lish, but his father's ancestors were Welsh. 
They came to America in 1847, settling in 
New Hampshire, where Mr. Jones received 
his education. He also attended school in 
Baltimore. His first business was in 1856, 
when he drove a six-horse stage-coach from 
old San Pedro to old Los Angeles, which 
business he continued until 1868, when the 
railroad was built. While driving stacro he 
carried the United States Mail and the Wells- 
Fargo packages. His next business was buy. 
ing, selling and raising sheep, which he 



followed until 1871, when he came to San 
Buenaventura and bought the hotel. He has 
since built additions to it, aud is conducting 
it in a very obliging and satisfactory manner. 
The building was first erected in 1869, then 
in the center of the town, by Pearson Horn- 
beck and Pedro Cunstanza, and for many 
years was the principal hotel of the place. It 
was leased from 1873 to 1877, but Mr. Jones 
has been its landlord since 1871. It con- 
tains thirty- five well furnished rooms, is 
located on Main street nearly opposite the old 
Mission church, and a free bus is run to 
all trains. 

Since locating here Mr. Jones has made an 
extended journey to the Sandwich Islands, 
New Zealand, Feejee Islands, etc., being gone 
nearly a year. He stands high as a man of 
good business capacity and excellent judg- 
ment. For many years he has been City 
Trustee, being greatly interested in the busi- 
ness interests of the place and efficient in aid- 
ing in its development. He was married in 
May, 1873, to Miss Flora Preble, a native of 
Maine, of which State her father, Charles 
Preble, was an old settler. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jones have three children, all born in Sau 
Buenaventura, namely, Minnie P.* Charles 
E. and Walter M. 

fAYETTE BENNETT, a rancher near 
Loinpoc, was born in Seneca County, 
Ohio, in 1830, and lived with his par- 
ents, who carried on farming and stock-rais- 
ing, until 1852, when he started for California, 
going first to New York, and from there by 
steamer to the Isthmus of Panama. He 
landed in San Francisco, May 1, 1852, and 
went to the mines at Ilangtown, now Placer- 
ville, and was engaged in mining for thirteen 
years, being engaged all through the mining 



4G2 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPJ 



district and in every kind of mining. He 
passed through the usual vicissitudes of this 
life with the usual success, often gaining a 
pound of gold per day; but the heavy ex- 
penses and losses were often very great. In 
1867 he gave up mining and began lumber- 
ing in the redwoods in Santa Clara County, 
and also carried on general farming until 
1873, when he secured a contract from a pa- 
per manufactory at Saratoga, Santa Clara 
County, and for four years he had charge of 
their bleaching apartment. In 1877 he went 
to Fresno County, where he took up a Gov- 
ernment claim and engaged in the sheep in- 
dustry, keeping about 500 head, and which 
he continued very successfully until 1880, 
when he came to Lompoc. He then bought 
eighty acres northwest of town, covered with 
brush and timber; he has since cleared forty 
acres, where he has established a comfortable 
home, and carries on general farming, making 
beans and mustard the principal crop, with 
barley sufficient for feeding purposes. He 
keeps twenty head of cattle and ten head of 
horses, breeding from a fine grade of mares, 
and securing some rare colts. 

Mr. Bennett was married in Santa Clara 
in 1868 , to Miss Malinda Orr, a native of 
Ohio, and they have three children. 

— -~-" 'I "■ 3 n £ » | '""»~ 



fAMES WALKER, one of the business 
men of San Buenaventura who in a 
quiet way is doing a large grocery bus- 
iness, both wholesale and retail, was born in 
Wilmington, Illinois, March 13, 1843, a son 
of Elijah and Eliza (Craig) Walker, the for- 
mer a native of New York and the latter of 
Indiana. Of their ten children four are liv- 
ing. James, the second child, was educated 
principally in the public schools of his State, 
removed to Monona County, Iowa, in 1860, 



opened a general merchandise store and con- 
ducted it successfully for several years. From 
1874 to 1886 he was Sheriff of that county, 
giving complete satisfaction. He then came 
to San Buenaventura, bought property, built 
a house, and purchased the stock and good 
will of T. H. Morrison, and has since then 
been carding on the grocery trade with fine 
success. His establishment is located in the 
best part of the town, but he also sends many 
articles to order out of town. He was mar- 
ried in 1867 to Miss Sarah Myers, a native 
of Iowa and a daughter of J. K. Myers, who 
was a native of West Virginia. They have 
three children living: Harley M., Mary E. 
and James H., all born in Iowa. Mr. 
Walker is a member of San Buenaventura 
Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., and he is also 
a member of the chapter. 



ARRISON BISH, a rancher of Lompoc, 
was born in Giles County, Virginia, 
October 10, 1828. His father emi- 
grated to Shelby County, Ohio, in 1830, and 
from there to Grant County, Indiana, in 
1834, and there purchased a farm of 240 
acres, where he carried on general farming 
and also raised a great many hogs, which was 
a very profitable industry. Our subject lived 
at home until he was nineteen years of age. 
He was educated in what was known as the 
subscription schools. At the age of nineteen 
years he began teaching school at Logan sport, 
where he remained until 1852, when he 
started for California, in a prairie schooner, 
across the plains. They had a quiet trip but 
were six months in crossing; they came by 
the way of the Truckee route and the Beck- 
with pass. He then came to Sacramento and 
■engaged in cutting cord wood until the spring 
of 1853, and then located a ranch of 160 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



■103 



acres, which he fenced and worked for two 
and a half years. He was then obliged to 
surrender it, through the pernicious influence 
of a Spanish grant, which was a curse to so 
many of the early settlers of California. He 
then went to San Jose and engaged iu arte- 
sian well boring until 1857, then opened a 
fruit store and ran it for four years, and then 
began again the business of well-boring, 
which he continued very successfully for 
fourteen years, and also engaged in mining 
more or less during the same time. In 1871 
Mr. Bish went East to visit his father, and 
was married in Grant County, Indiana, Feb- 
ruary 22, 1872, to Miss Rachel Ann Wiles, a 
native of Indiana. In the spring of 1872 
they went to Greene County, Missouri, where 
our subject bought 160 acres of land, and 
continued farming, remaining until 1875, 
when he again started for California, settling 
at San Jose, where he was engaged in farm- 
ing until 1880. He then came to Lompoc 
and bought 111 acres, sixty five of which he 
has since cleared, and raises beans and mus- 
tard. He has also planted ten acres to a 
variety of fruits, mainly winter apples, all of 
which are in bearing. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bish have six children. They 
are the happy possessors of their own home, 
with no danger of creditors or Spanish grants 
robbing them of their possessions. 






fOIIN G. HILL, one of the most promi- 
nent men of Ventura, who by his intelli- 
gence and ability stepped to the front in 
the ranch and stock-producing interests of 
this county, is a fine illustration of what, can 
be done in a country so wonderfully fertile. 
II - birth occurred in Paris, Monroe County, 
Missouri, March 1.4,1845. His father, James 
Hill, wa- a native of Kentucky, as were also 



his ancestry, as far back as it can be traced. 
His mother, nee Nancy Gray, was also born 
in Kentucky, of parents whose ancestors were 
also Kentuckians. 

Mr. Hill, the subject of this sketch, was 
the fourth child of ten children. The family 
crossed the plains to California in 1852, set- 
tling in Napa County, where the senior Hill 
bought a ranch of 100 acres, and afterward 
added to it by purchase 1,400 acres. On this 
ranch Mr. Hill acquired his knowledge and 
experience in farming, which has proved to 
be of so much value to him and his brothers 
in the production of the finest horses in the 
State, if not in the world. Mr. Ben Hill, the 
noted horse man in California residing at 
El Cajon, is one of the brothers. In 1806 he 
began farming upon his own account, on his 
father's ranch, and after two years' work he 
removed to Ventura, in 1808. and bought 
part of the Colon ia grant, 030 acres. On 
this property Mr. Hill has built one of the 
finest houses in Ventura County, planted 
orchards of fruit trees and groves of orna- 
mental trees, and has made a delightful home. 
He is also raising fine thoroughbred Berk- 
shire hogs, Durham cattle, etc., and he now 
has 150 head of blooded colts, of the Rich- 
mond, Wild Idler, Joe Daniels and Reveille 
strains. His young horses are not only of 
the best blood now in the county, but by his 
management they are the best developed 
specimens of their kind. Every lover of the 
horse is tilled with admiration at the sight of 
his stock*. In connection with Mr. Chrisman 
as partner, Mr. Hill is owner of several other 
line places. At Montalvo they have a town 
site of 350 acres, fifty acres of land near 
i Paula, 108 acres sown to alfalfa on the 
Colonia grant, four-fifths of 200 acres planted 
in walnuts, one-third interest in 842 acres 

rented and sown to barley, and lour tenths 

of the Ventura waterworks. Mr. Hill 



464 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



stands high as a business man and gentleman 
in liis county. He has witnessed and aided 
in the development of his locality; is an 
enthusiast as regards the fertility of the soil, 
and he really has good reasons to expect most 
lavish returns for his investments. 

He was married, in 1866, to Miss Ara- 
netta Rice, of Contra Costa County, and they 
have two sons, Ernest R. and Ralph N.,both 
born in Yentura County. Mrs. Hill is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 



jEORGE R. WALDEN is a native son 
of the Golden West, and a business man 
of Saticoy. He was born in the city 
of Sacramento, December 18, 1857. His 
father, Jerome B. Walden, was a native of 
Canandaigna, New York, born March 20, 
1829, and was a pioneer of the far West, hav- 
ing arrived in California before it became a 
State. For many years he was a Sheriff and 
detective, and is now a Justice of the Peace 
at his home in Sieson, this State. Twenty- 
two years of his life, as Sheriff and detective, 
were spent in Napa County, where in early 
days he rendered efficient service in breaking 
up the gangs of desperados that infested the 
country at that time. He was united in wed- 
lock to Miss Mira A. Harrington, daughter 
of a pioneer Methodist minister of Wiscon- 
sin, a member of the first Legislature and 
also of the first Constitutional Convention of 
that State. The subject of this sketch was 
the first son and the second of a family of 
five children. He finished his education in 
the Napa Methodist College, and also studied 
two years at the State University at Berkeley. 
His parents were desirous of having him be- 
come a physician, and at fourteen years of 
age be began to learn the drug business. 
From that time until 1880 his time was di- 



vided between working and going to school. 
He was then elected apothecary of the Napa 
Insane Asylum, and held the position five 
years, during which time he compounded 
47,560 prescriptions. On account of ill 
health he resigned the position, and from the 
officials of the institution received testimo- 
nials for faithful and competent discharge of 
his duties. In 1886 he removed to San 
Buenaventura, and engaged in the real-estate 
business with Mr. B. E. Hunt. They organ- 
ized the Montalvo Land and Water Company. 
Eight hundred acres of land in the Santa 
Clara valley were purchased, and at a meet- 
ing of the directors of tlu> company Mr. 
Walden presented the name of Montalvo for 
the town, in honor of Ordenez de Montalvo, 
who had the credit of first writing and pub- 
lishing the name "California." The name 
proposed was unanimously adopted. The 
rush for new towns soon after collapsed, and 
the company allowed the land to go back, 
losing their tirst payment. Mr. Walden hap- 
pily consoled himself for the loss of several 
thousand dollars with the fact that he had 
the honor of having suggested the name of 
the town that in the growth of the country 
is destined some time in the future to become 
a place of importance and fame. 

In the summer of 1887 Mr. Walden cir- 
culated a list for signatures, and secured 
twenty names of native sons to organize a 
parlor of that order at San Buenaventura; 
and at the meeting at which the name to be 
given the parlor was discussed, Mr. Walden 
proposed the name of Cabrillo, the pioneer 
of pioneers. After giving a brief sketch of 
Cabrillo's life the name was readily adopted, 
the parlor was organized, and is still growing. 
It was decided at that meeting to take initia- 
tory steps to build some day a monument to 
Cabrillo. In 1888 Mr. Walden came to Sat- 
icoy and opened a drug store. In 1889 he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



465 



was appointed Postmaster of Saticoy by Post- 
master-General "Wanamaker, which position 
he now fills. 

He was married April 22, 1884, to Miss 
Adela L. Frisbie, a native of Napa County, 
California. ' She is a daughter of Edward 
Frisbie, a native of Albany, New York, and 
now a banker of Redding, Shasta County, 
California. Mr. and Mrs. Walden have two 
children, a son and daughter: Arthur F., 
born at Redding; and Jean, in San Buena- 
ventnra. In politics Mr. Walden is Repub- 
lican. He is a very pleasant and courteous 
business man, and is full of enthusiasm in 
regard to the history and great future of his 
native State. 

ro - - s) 

-x-H- "i-'H^+'-w 

(t. " "CI 



fACOB K. CRIES is one of the best 
known and highly respected citizens of 
Ventura County. He came to California 
in 1852, and has had large experience in the 
early history of the State, as well as the early 
settlement of Ventura County. He has been 
a leading man — a man of nerve and of great 
natural ability. His early experience in the 
Golden State would make a book of interest; 
but he declines to recount the privations, 
dangers and exciting times that tried men's 
souls in the settlement of the great State in 
which he has had a share, and in which he has 
borne an honorable part, and for which he is 
now rewarded by having his home in the 
most civilized, enlightened and delightful 
portion of the world. All new countries 
have their ruffians and renegades, and Califor- 
nia was no exception to the rule, but she has 
proudly and grandly outlived the stormy 
days, and the pioneer looks with just gratifi- 
cation and pride upon the great country he 
has helped to develop. 

Mr. Gries was born in Berks Comity, Penn- 



sylvania, July 16, 1830. His father, Jacob 
Gries, was a native of the same county, and 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. In early 
life he had been a hat-maker, but after his 
removal to Ohio he became a farmer. He 
died on his own farm, in Ohio, in 1870. The 
subject of this sketch was reared in Ohio. 
At the age of twenty years he removed to 
Indiana, and a year later took his course west- 
ward to the Pacific Coast. He arrived in 
June, 1852, and July 16, following, he was 
twenty-two years old. He went to Foster's 
Bar, on the Yuba River, and mined until late 
in the fall, then, in company with others, he 
engaged in the hotel and staging business, 
two very important occupations at that time. 
The hotel in which he was interested was the 
Oregon House, in Yuba County, and he was 
thus engaged for three years. From 1857 to 
1860 he was in the butchering and meat 
business. In the latter year he removed to 
Nevada, remaining there until 1869, ranching 
and mining. He owned a ranch in the Wa- 
shoe Valley, which he sold in the fall of 1868, 
and removed to White Pine County, where, 
for several months, he was interested in the 
toll- load business. 

November 1, 1869, Mr. Gries came to 
Ventura County and engaged in farming, 
raising barley, corn and wheat, on eighty 
acres of land which he purchased of the 
Briggs grant, near Santa Paula. This prop- 
erty he still owns. He also bought 360 acres 
of Thomas R. Bard, on the Colonia Ranch, 
which he afterward sold at a great profit, and 
bought 412 acres in the ex-Mission ranch, 
still retaining it. He has a one-half interest 
in 426 acres on the Colonia ranch. Mr. 
Gries came to Nordhoff in December, 1887, 
and has here built a fine residence, where he 
resides with his family. For a number of 
years he has been interested in the production 
of thorough-bred horses, mostly trotting stock. 



466 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



In 1860, Mr. Gries was married to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Foulks, daughter of John Turbett. 
By her he had one child, Belle, born in Yuba 
County, California. She married Norris 
Claybury, and they reside near Santa Paula. 
After twenty-two years of wedded life, Mrs. 
Cries died. Four years later Mr. Gries 
married Mrs. Mary Simpson, a native of 
Texas, and widow of Frank J. Simpson. Mrs. 
Gries is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
Mr. Gries is a Republican; he was a Demo- 
crat before the war, but at that time took a 
strong stand in favor of the Union, and has 
since affiliated with the Republican party. 
He is a man of strong convictions, a natural 
leader among men, and has been prominent 
in Ventura County ever since its organiza- 
tion. He has been active in helping to 
maintain law and order in his county, for 
which he has the respect and good will of 
every worthy citizen in the county. Mr. 
Gries has enjoyed pleasant business relations 
with others, and has had in his employ men 
who have remained with him for years, all of 
them speaking highly of Mr. Gries, and some 
of them having risen to wealth and influence. 
It is scarcely necessary to add that he is a 
warm admirer of California and considers 
Ventura County the cream of the great State. 

— -HHmHs*** . — 



R. O. V. SESSIONS is a native of 
Union County, Illinois, born February 
27, 1852. His father, Richard Sessions, 
was born in North Carolina, March 20, 1820. 
He removed to Illinois in an early day, was 
reared there and became a merchant, spend- 
ing the whole of his life in that State, 
with the exception of the first eight years. 
He was a prominent Methodist and a devoted 
Christian. His death occurred in Illinois, in 
1876. The Doctor's grandfather Sessions, 



also named Richard, came from England to 
America in the latter part of the seventeenth 
century. His mother, nee Mary House, was 
born in Tennessee, September 14, 1826, the 
daughter of Robert House, who was of Ger- 
man descent. The subject of this sketch was 
the oldest child of a family of four sons and 
one daughter. He was reared in Illinois, 
and at the age of fifteen years began to assist 
his father, who was conducting a general 
merchandise business in Hamburg, and was 
engaged in the store for ten years. He then 
began the study of medicine, first reading 
with Dr. J. I. Hale, of Anna, Illinois, and 
afterward attended the Chicago Medical Col- 
lege three years, graduating in 1882. He 
then went to Springfield, Missouri, where he 
practiced two years, after which he returned 
to Illinois, and continued the practice of his 
profession at Hamburg and at Anna. He 
next came to California, opened an office in 
Hueneme, and has here met with marked 
success. When he came here he was the only 
physician in the place, and by his skill and 
close attention to his patients, he has estab- 
lished a fine practice. His ride extends out 
twenty-five miles, and he now has the princi- 
pal part of the practice on the ocean side of 
the Santa Clara River. He is the owner of a 
nice home and office in the center of town, 
the grounds extending through from Broad 
to Market streets. The house fronts on one 
street and the office on the other, with an at- 
tractive flower garden between, in which the 
Doctor takes much pleasure and needed rest 
from his labors. 

Dr. Sessions was married in 1875 to Miss 
Lucy Martin, a native of Missouri. They 
have one 6on, Kenneth V., born in Springfield, 
Missouri, November 20, 1877. The Doctor 
is a Republican, but does not give politics 
much attention. He is strictly a temperate 
man, using neither strong drink nor tobacco 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



467 



believing both to be injurious. He is not 
only a successful practitioner, but is also a 
good businessman and a worthy and respected 
citizen. 



—-"■ iS* * 2 * * t " £i , '* ~*°*~ 



kATRICK McHENRY was born in Ire- 
land, March, 1848, and at the age of 
nineteen years came to America, coming 
direct to California. Patrick was preceded 
by two brothers, and upon his arrival the 
three went to ranching in Marin County, 
and engaged in that business jointly for a 
year and a half. At the expiration of that 
time, in 1869, Patrick invested in some cat- 
tle and came to San Lnis Obispo County, 
locating in the Los Osos Valley, where he 
has since remained, engaged in the cattle and 
dairy business. His present ranch, 500 acres 
in extent, is located in a very pretty part of 
the valley, the view from which is extensive. 
Very many changes have taken place in this 
district since he first settled here. Immense 
ranches have been cut up and sold, and where 
there were only a half dozen settlements then 
there are thirty or more now. 

Mr. McIIenry was married in November, 
1873, and is the father of seven children, 
five of whom are now living. 



ULLIAM M. ZELLER was born in 
llagerstown, Maryland, December 
22, 1853. His father, David Zeller, 
was also a native of the same State, born in 
1802. He had large real estate interests 
there, and was the senior member of the 
firm of D. Zeller & Co., in the wholesale 
commission business, Hon. Thomas R. Hard 
beinf the junior partner. His death occurred 
in 1884. Mr. Zeller's grandfather, Jacob 




Zeller, was a Maryland planter, and the an- 
cestors of the family came from Switzerland. 
Mr. Zeller's mother was Mary Parker (Little) 
Zeller. The maternal ancestry is the same 
as Mr. Bard's, which appears on another 
page of this book. The subject of this sketch 
is the youngest of a family of three children. 
His early education was obtained at Hagers- 
town, where his boyhood days were spent, 
and in 1869 he attended the Mercersburg 
College. He finished his education at the 
Massachusetts Agricultural College at Am- 
herst, after which he was engaged in farming 
in Maryland for four years. He then came 
to California and engaged in farming on the 
Colonia and Las Posas ranches. Mr. Zeller 
is still conducting his farming operations on 
a large scale, having 1,800 acres of land de- 
voted to the cultivation of barley, alfalfa and 
beans. 

In 1885 he was married to a San Francisco 
lady. Mr. Zeller is a member of the A. O. 
U. W. He is a strictly temperate man, and 
politically is a Republican. 

In speaking of Mr. Zeller's father, it is 
just to his memory to say that while he was 
a Southern gentleman and at one time had 
numerous slaves, he never sold one, and often 
arranged with them, giving them wages 
whereby they were permitted to buy their 
liberty. He was a man very correct and 
methodical in his business habits, as well as 
at his home and on his premises. Seldom 
do we find a man in these days possessing 
such admirable traits of character. 






, F. CLARK is one of the young busi- 
ness men of Saticoy. He was born in 
* Ilorton, Bremer County, Iowa, July 
14, 1863. His father, Otis Clark, is a native 
of Ohio; and for the past twenty years has 



468 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



been a resident of California, and is now en- 
gaged in the lumber business at Yuba City, 
Sutter County. His mother, nee Laura A. 
Patridge, was born in New York, in 1845, 
and her death occurred September 30, 1888. 
She was a devoted wife, a faithful and loving 
mother, and her loss is deeply lamented by 
the family. She was the mother of three 
children, all of whom are living, the subject 
of this sketch being the oldest. He is a 
graduate of the State Normal School at San 
Jose, class of 1885. Mr. Clark spent some 
years in teaching, being for two years Prin- 
cipal of the schools of Brentwood, California, 
and in 1888 came to Saticoy where he en- 
gaged in farming. He has 100 acres of very 
choice land on which he has recently erected 
a handsome residence. He has selected a 
beautiful location for building, and when the 
arrangements of the grounds are completed 
it will be one of the attractive places of the 
community. Mr. Clark is the manager of 
900 acres of farm land adjoining his own, the 
property of his father-in-law, John Nicholl. 
The entire tract is rented in lots of from forty 
to eighty acres to tenants who are mainly men 
of families and in comfortable circumstances, 
the principal crop raised being Lima beans. 
Mr. Clark was married, July 27, 1887, to 
Miss Agnes Nicholl, a native of San Pablo, 
California, and also a graduate of the State 
Normal School. They have one daughter, 
born August 30, 1888. Since taking up his 
residence in this county, Mr. Clark has been 
identified with its best interests; and is justly 
proud of the great State of his adoption. 

— — 4^^^ — 

§f E. McCOY was born in Placerville, Cal- 
ifornia, June 7, 1864. His father, J. 
* I). D. McCoy, was born in Canada in 
1835, was the pioneer hotel proprietor of 



Hueneme, and now resides at Portland, Ore- 
gon. His ancestors were Scotch, but resi- 
dents of America for many generations. Mr. 
McCoy's mother, Margaret (Lynch) McCoy, 
died when the subject of this sketch was 
quite young, leaving a family of ten chil- 
dren. Mr. McCoy was reared and educated 
in Yentura and Hueneme, and began his 
business career in a hotel. He has owned 
the Seaside Hotel for the past five years. 
This house was built by Mr. Jud kins twenty- 
two years ago, and Mr. Mc< Joy's father 
bought it, made some additions to the build- 
ing, and opened it to the public, conducting 
the business for fifteen years. Since it has 
been in the possession of Mr. McCoy, Jr., 
he has remodeled and enlarged the building. 
It is as old as the town itself, is well man- 
aged, and is provided with a good table. 

Mr. McCoy was married April 17, 1884, 
to Miss Ina Woodruff, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and daughter of William and E. A. 
Woodruff, who reside in Hueneme. Mr. and 
Mrs. McCoy have one child, Maggie, born in 
Hueneme, March 17, 1885. 

The subject of this sketch votes the Re- 
publican ticket, but is not an active politician. 
He is a well-known business man in the 
county, and has been identified with the best 
interests of Hueneme since its beginning. 

^ENRY M. STILES, one of the pioneers 
of California, came to Yentura in the 
winter of 1867. He was born in Medi- 
na County, Ohio, December 15, 1837. His 
father, Milton Stiles, was born in the State 
of Massachusetts, in 1808. A large part of 
Mr. Stiles' life has been spent, both in Ohio 
and California, iif the mercantile business. 
He is now spending the remaiuder of his 
days with his son Henry M. in Yentura; he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



40!) 



is eighty-two years of age. Mr. Stiles' 
grandfather, Dorus Stiles, was also a native 
of Massachusetts; his mother, Catherine 
(Nelson) Stiles, was a native of Massachu- 
setts. Mr. Stiles was the fifth child in a 
family of seven children. He received his 
earlj' education in the public schools in Ohio, 
and at fourteen years of age began to earn 
his own living by working on a farm. In 
1852 he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and 
worked there for a while, and then to Minne- 
sota, then a Territory, .and, like President 
Lincoln, ran a flatboat on the Minnesota 
River to St. Paul, and was soon made captain 
of the boat. He had three men under him; 
the business was freighting lime. After 
being engaged in this business for two sea- 
sons, he returned to Ohio, and from there 
came to California, in 1856, and settled in 
Amador County, and with his father engaged 
in mining for five years. In 1864 Mr. Stiles 
went to Oregon, and remained there one win- 
ter, then he went to the mines in Placerville, 
Idaho Territory, being very successful. The 
next year he lost all he had made, and went 
to Montana and prospected for a while, and 
then to Salt Lake and next to Prescott, Ari- 
zona, where he drove a four- horse team for a 
time; thence he came to Lbs Angeles, and 
from there, in 1867, in November, to Ven- 
tura. Here he purchased a lot, erected a 
livery stable, — the second in the town, — 
which he ran for four years; and since that 
time he has been back and forth in the Ter- 
ritories several times, but has always con- 
sidered Ventura his home. In 1866 he made 
a prospecting trip into Idaho, with sixty men 
and 100 horses. Getting far into the snow, 
the party became disgusted with their leader 
and separated. While two or three were out 
hunting the Indians shot one of them; the 
others made their escape back to their com- 
rades. They started twenty-five men on 



horseback after the Indians, but they failed 
to reach them. 

In Arizona Mr. Stiles made another pros- 
pecting tour, with fifty men, to the head of 
Black River, but found neither gold nor silver; 
and they were not troubled by the Indians. 
Since coming to California he has made three 
trips to the East. He is now proprietor of 
the Ventura Soda Works, furnishing the 
whole of the county with temperance drinks. 
In company with his brother, he also owns 
266 acres of land in Pleasant Valley, which 
they are improving, by planting trees, sink- 
ing wells and erecting buildings. In 1874 
Mr. Stiles built a brick building in Ventura, 
the best in the town at that time. He also 
built the house where he resides and owns a 
building on Main street above the Ventura 
Bank. Mr. Stiles has seen much of frontier 
life and has had many interesting experi- 
ences; he is now one of Ventura's reliable 
and prosperous citizens. 

He was married in 1874, and had one son, 
Freddie, who now resides in Idaho. In 1885 
he was again married, this time to Miss 
Theresia Frank, who was born in San Fran- 
cisco. Her father, Philip Frank, M. D., was 
from Vienna, Austria, and her mother was 
a native of New Orleans. By this marriage 
there are two children: Wilbur II., born in 
Lead City, Dakota Territory, and Milton P., 
born in Ventura. 



,CI1ILLE LEVY, one of the prominent 
business men of Ilueneme, came to 
California in 1871. He was born in 
Alsace, France, now Germany, October 23, 
1853; his parents were both natives of France. 
After he arrived in San Francisco he went to 
a business college for two years, to take a 
business course and to learn the English 



470 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



language. He then engaged in clerking and 
as book-keeper in a genernl merchandise 
store in Dixon, Solano County, and was there 
two years. In 1875 he came to Hueneme 
and engaged in business, the firm being 
Wolff & Levy, in which they continued for 
ten years, meeting with excellent success. In 
1885 be sold his half interest, and opened a 
wholesale grain, commission and banking 
business. He handles large quantities of 
grain, honey, beans and wool, and ships his 
produce all over the United States and 
Mexico; he is also a director, stockholder 
and vice-president of the Hueneme Bank. 
He is extensively interested in real estate 
throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los 
Angeles counties. 

In 1881 Mr. Levy took a tour to Europe 
and was there married to Miss Lucy Levy, a 
" forty- second cousin " of his, and a native of 
Paris, where her parents reside. They have 
four children, born in Hueneme: Anna E., 
Palmyre, Joseph Paul and Julia E. Mr. 
Levy has built a nice home; he has bought 
recently a ten-acre lot on one of the best 
streets, about a half-mile from town, which 
he designs to fit for a residence, and lay out 
in handsome grounds in the near future. In 
his political views he is a Republican, and 
prominently identified with that party; he 
is a very active business man, and a mem- 
ber of the San Francisco Produce Exchange. 



fOHN H. KUHLMAN was born in Ger- 
many, in 1827, received his education 
in his native country, and at the age of 
fifteen entered upon a three-years' appren- 
ticeship to the blacksmith trade. His term 
having expired, in 1845, he came to the 
United States, landing at Galveston, Texas, 
and worked at his trade for three months in 



that State. He then gave it up and was em- 
ployed as a cabin-boy on a steamboat, con- 
tinuing that business five years, and being 
promoted from cabin-boy to steward of the 
boat. While sailing on the steamer Pal- 
metto, he was shipwrecked on Matagorda 
Bar, January 9, 1851. Fifty passengers 
were on board, and all were saved in a re- 
markable manner, which is worth relating 
here. Among other freight they had a bull 
on board — a fine large animal. One end of 
a rope they attached to him and the 
other end to the vessel. He was sent over- 
board and swam ashore, and they were thus 
landed before the ship was dashed to pieces. 
Mr. Kuhlman sailed on the schooner Euro- 
pean, for Chagres, and was again shipwrecked 
at Algrat Keys. They were rescued this 
time by the Apalachicola and landed at San 
Juan del Norte, and taken to Chagres on the 
steamer Avon. He remained a month at 
Chagres and crossed the Isthmus in April, 
1851, working his passage on the steamer 
New Orleans. He returned to Panama May 
5th. The steamer was sold. For three 
months he acted as steward on the steamer 
Unicorn. After that he went into the mines, 
where he was engaged until 1859. At that 
time he came back to San Francisco, and 
went on a steamboat to Olympia. From 
there he went to Anaheim, and from there, 
in 1865, to Santa Barbara. In the latter 
place he opened a variety store, ran it three 
years, and, in 1869, started a branch store of 
the same kind in Ventura. He afterward 
sold his business at Santa Barbara and moved 
to Ventura, where he built a store, in 1870, 
on leased ground. This he traded to Mr. 
Hobson for his present store, and has since 
continued business in the same place. 

In 1870 he was married to Miss Maria 
Botilla, of Santa Barbara. They have six 
children : Christina, Charles, Rosa and Henry, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



All 



born in Santa Barbara; and John and Flora, 
born in Ventura. Mr. and Mrs. Knblman 
and the children are all members of the Cath- 
olic Church. Mr. Kuhlman was brought up 
in the Lutheran Church. 

In addition to the business interests al- 
ready mentioned in this sketch, it may be 
stated that Mr. Kuhlman has stock in the 
Anacapa Hotel, and is treasurer of the com- 
pany which owns it He is the owner of 
considerable valuable business property on 
Main street, Ventura, and has fifty acres in 
another place. He still retains a lot and 
brick store in Santa Barbara. Mr. Kuhlman 
has an extensive acquaintance throughout the 
county, and is regarded by all as a reliable 
man and a worthy citizen. 



fAMES RAYMOND VANCE was born 
in Schuyler County, Illinois in 1824. 
His father was a farmer and owmed the 
land where Nauvoo, once a Mormon settle- 
ment, is now located. His father having 
died, his mother moved with the family to 
Wisconsin in 1838. At the age of eighteen 
the subject of this sketch began lead-mining, 
which he followed for six years; then in 1849 
he started for California, with older brothers, 
traveling across the plains with a horse- 
team. They were ninety days en route, 
coming by old Fort Kearney, North Platte 
river and Sublette's Cut-off. They began 
placer-mining and found their first gold at 
Steep Hollow on the Bear River. After two 
\ears of mining, with varying success, Mr. 
Vance went back to his home in Wisconsin 
for a visit, but again returned to California 
in 1853, and engaged in mercantile life at 
Forbestown and Camptonville, and what was 
then Uder County. In 1858 he was appoint- 
ed Deputy Sheriff of Uder County, under 



Mat Wood, and was an officer about lour 
years. He then went to Nevada and en- 
gaged in silver-mining, until the latter part of 
1864, when he began farming again in Sono- 
ma County, continuing until 1868, when he 
came to Santa Barbara. He took up 400 
acres on Casitas Pass and began the stock 
business, having about 500 head of cattle, 
and continuing for ten years. He lost near- 
ly all his stock in the drouth of 1877. The 
next year he moved to Santa Barbara to edu- 
cate his children, and there engaged in farm- 
ing. In 1886 be was elected Supervisor and 
Councilman, serving two years as Supervisor 
and four as Councilman. 

Mr. Vance was married in Santa Barbara 
in 1869, to Miss Mary C. Nidever, a daugh- 
ter of John Nidever. They have seven chil- 
dren, all at home. Mr. Vance has passed 
through the experience of all miners, having 
frequently "struck it rich " and then losing 
heavily through some disastrous speculation. 
He now owns twenty-seven acres in East 
Santa Barbara, where he resides. 



j^ON. THOMAS R. BARD, a prominent 
business man of Hueneme, is the best 
known and most distinguished factor in 
the growth and development of the county 
of Ventura. He is a man with whom the 
history of Ventura County is more intimately 
connected than with any other. He was born 
in Chambersburg, Franklin County, Penn- 
sylvania, December 8, 1841, the son of Rob- 
ert M. Bard, a lawyer, born in the same 
county in 1810, and died in 1851. His 
grandfather, Thomas Bard, was also born in 
the same county, and his great-grandfather, 
Richard Hard, was of Scotch- Irish descent. 
He came to America in 1745, and was one of 
the earliest pioneers of that part of Pennsyl- 



472 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



vania; both himself and wife were captured 
by the Indians, April 19, 1758. Five days 
after being captured he made his escape, and 
made unceasing efforts for the release of his 
wife. She was in captivity for more than a 
year, but was finally given up at Fort du 
Quesne, Pittsburg, her ransom being forty 
pounds sterling. Mr. Bard's mother was 
Elizabeth S. Little, a native of Mercersburg, 
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, born in 
1812, and died in 1880. She was the daugh- 
ter of Dr. P. W. Little, and a grand-daughter 
of Colonel Robert Parker of the Revolution- 
ary army. 

Mr. Bard's parents had two sons and two 
daughters, all of whom are still living. He 
was reared and educated at the Chambers- 
burg Academy, and began, at the age of sev- 
enteen, the study of law with Hon. George 
Chambers, then a retired Supreme Justice 
of the State of Pennsylvania; but, tinding an 
active life more suitable to his tastes, he 
abandoned his studies of law for the pro- 
fession of railroad and mining engineering, 
in which he received a practical training in 
the Alleghany Mountains. When he re- 
turned he was offered a position in a forward- 
ing and commission house at Hagerstown, 
Pennsylvania, which he accepted. While at 
that place the war broke out, and the firm, 
differing in politics, dissolved, the town be- 
ing a border town and excitement running 
high. Mr. Zellar, one of the company, took 
Mr. Bard as a partner, and then he com- 
menced his business life, before he was 
twenty-one years of age. While in business 
at Hagerstown the firm there were agents for 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and 
were in constant danger of rebel raids, and 
had to be constantly on the alert to know of 
the proximity of Confederates. For this 
purpose Mr. Bard found it necessary to do 
some scouting, and was on the battle-field of 



Antietam when the battle began, and after- 
ward voluntarily took up arms on the Union 
side in that fight He then became ac- 
quainted with Colonel Thomas A. Scott, then 
Assistant Secretary of War, and did valuable 
service for him, which was much appreciated 
by the Colonel. The rebels, under General 
McCausland, in one of their raids, burned 
Mr. Bard's mother's house, after which Col- 
onel Scott induced him to come to California 
to take charge of the business interests here. 
Mr. Bard sold out his interest in the busi- 
ness at Hagerstown, and January 5, 1865, 
came to Ventura County. His first work 
here was the superintendency of the Califor- 
nia Petroleum Company, in which Colonel 
Scott was interested. They attempted to 
develop the oil resources of Ojai Rancho, and 
everything they required in the way of ma- 
chinery came from New York, via Cape 
Horn to San Francisco, and from San Fran- 
cisco by boat and landed by means of rafts, 
through the surf at San Buenaventura. 
This was the first attempt to develop the oil 
fields of California. Their work was practi- 
cally unsuccessful. When they had gained 
experience enough to know where to locate 
the wells, the company became discouraged 
and closed the work. After this he took 
charge of the property in which Colonel 
Scott was interested, consisting of the 
ranchos: — the Simi, 113,000 acres; the Las 
Rosas, 26,600 acres; the San Francisco, 48,- 
000 acres; the Calleguas, 10,000 acres; the 
El Rio de Santa Clara, 45,000 acres; the 
Canada Larga, 6,600 acres, and the Ojai, 16,- 
000 acres. In addition to this he took charge 
of a large part of the town of San Buena- 
ventura, and Colonel Scott's lands in Los 
Angeles and Humboldt counties, about 12,- 
000 acres, making a grand total of about 
277,000 acres. This vast acreage was devoted 
to sheep and cattle-raising, and Mr. Bard had 



AND VENTURA COUN Tl ES. 



473 



charge of it until sold. The business was 
attended with much inconvenience and trouble 
through people stealing on the lands, sup- 
posing it to be Government land; almost all 
of the vast property was involved in dispute 
concerning; title, and much ill-feeling was 
the result; some of the parties were desper- 
adoes. Generally Mr. Bard succeeded in a 
just way to pay the people for their losses, 
and all of the lands lie has disposed of have 
been found to have perfect titles. The land 
was rented to the people, and many of them 
afterward became purchasers. 

In the meantime his own affairs had grown 
upon his hands, during the time he laid out 
the town of Hueneme, and built the wharf, 
in 1871, and from that time the town took 
its start. He continued to manage Colonel 
Scott's affairs until the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1882, after which he be- 
came his administrator in California, and 
closed out the property. 

The liberal course taken by Mr. Bard with 
the tenants and squatters on the lands re- 
sulted beneficially in the. settlement of the 
county. lie eventually bought the wharf 
and warehouses and invested in real estate, 
which, with the growth of the county, has be- 
come valuable. He was one of the incorpora- 
tors of the firsl Bank of Ventura, and was its 
President for fifteen years; ho is now Presi- 
dent of Hueneme Dank, and of the Hueneme 
"Wharf Company. He organized the Sinn' 
Land and Water Company, and the Las Rosas 
Land A: Water Company. Mi-. Bard is Presi- 
dent of the Mission Transfer Company, which 
owns the large system of pipe lines and re 
fineries, at Santa Paula, and which handles 
the whole of the oil production of Ventura 
County; he is also the President of the Si 
Oil Company, which control 22 000 acres <>\' 
oil territory. He is also President of the 
Torrey Canon Oil Company. The output of 

30 



the^e companies aggregate 600 barrels of oil 
per day. 

Mr. Bard has 320 acres of land adjoinino- 
his home, of which all is beino- farmed; he 
has fifty acres of ground surrounding his 
home, on which is a beautiful and com- 
modious cottage, and very excellent giour.ds. 
in which he takes much enjoyment in the 
collection of flowers and other plants. As 
one enters the grounds he is confronted by a 
large triangular bed of scarlet geraniums, 
making a brilliant show of blossoms. Back 
of this is a large fountain, and the winding 
drives branch off in two directions, making 
curves in divers directions amid groves of 
trees and flowers and amid the border of 
evergreen hedges, until the avenues meet in 
front of the house. 

Mr. Bard held for several successive terms 
the office of Supervisor in the first district of 
Santa Barbara, before the county of Ventura 
was formed; he was first elected Supervisor 
on the Republican ticket, against a Spaniard 
on the Democratic ticket, when theie were 
not over a dozen Americans in the district. 
He was the Republican candidate for State 
Senator in 1877, in the Senatorial district 
composed of the three counties of Ventura, 
Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. He was 
defeated, but Ventura and Santa Barbara 
counties gave him a handsome majority, 
which was barely overcome by his opponent 
in San Luis Obispo County. He was also on 
the Garfield ticket for Elector, in 1SS0. lie 
was a delegate at large for the State to the 
memorable convention at Chicago that nomi- 
nated Mr. Blaine, in 18M. 

He married, in 1870, Miss Man B. Ger 
berding, daughter of Mr. E. O. Gerberding 
of San Lrancisco, who was one of the founder- 
of the. San Francisco /lull, /in. Mrs. Hard 
was born in California, in L858. Tbe\ have 
live children, all born in Hueneme, viz.: 



474 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Beryl B., Mary Louisa, Anna Greenwell, 
Thomas G. and Elizabeth Parker. Mrs. Bard 
is an Episcopalian, and Mr. Bard is an elder 
in the Presbyterian Church. He is a man 
of liberal views, broad business capacities, 
and a quiet and unobtrusive gentleman. 

jBfflXILLIAM H. RYAN, one of the pio- 
tWffiWl neers °f Arroyo Grande, or, as one of 
1 -<ipo} the citizens remarked, the " father of 
the town," was born in Amesbury, Massa- 
chusetts, April 28, 1833. His father, Jere- 
miah Ryan, was a native of Ireland, and his 
mother, formerly Miss Betsy Glidden, was a 
native of New Hampshire. He was edu- 
cated in one of the excellent schools of Ames- 
bury, and at the age of seventeen years started 
out in the world to seek his fortune. In 
1849 he decided to come to California; took 
passage on the brig Ark and came to San 
Francisco by way of Cape Horn, arriving 
April, 1850, the trip consuming seven months' 
time. Mr. Ryan did not remain long in San 
Francisco, but while there was actively en- 
caged in the dray business, and was the owner 
of one of the first drays brought to that 
place. One year and a half was spent in the 
city and one year in Santa Clara. In 1853, 
during the gold excitement in Australia, he 
set out for that far-away country. For one 
year he was foreman of an American com- 
pany there. He next went to South America, 
trying his luck in Peru, then Chili, and in a 
year returned to San Francisco. He visited 
Washoe during the Washoe silver excite- 
ment, and finally settled in Silver Mountain, 
Alpine County, and built the hotel known as 
Ryan's Exchange, where he remained for sev- 
eral years. Arizona was the next scene of his 



sojourn. 



In 1872 he came to San Luis 



Obispo County, and here he has made his 



home up to the present day. Thirteen 
months he was engaged in business in the 
city, and then he came to Arroyo Grande. 
With the latter place he has become thor- 
oughly identified, and has been engaged in 
the hotel and livery business. The hotel 
which bears his name and which he success- 
fully conducted so many years, is the pioneer 
hotel of the place, and is known to everyone 
in this locality, as is also its owner. Mr. 
Ryan is the oldest representative in business 
in the place and has done much toward build- 
ing up the town and making it what it is. 
Arroyo Grande is a thriving little town, sit- 
uated in the heart of some of the richest land 
on the globe, and no one person residing in 
the place has appreciated or marked these 
changes more than the subject of this sketch. 
Mr. Ryan has retired from the active man- 
agement of his hotel, having leased it to 
other parties, and is now living a retired life. 



^HARLES PL CLARK, an early pio- 
neer, and a prominent developer of the 
Point Sal shipping industry, was born 
in Johnson, Vermont, in 1838, and is a lineal 
descendant of William Clark, the chief mate 
of the old ship the Mayflower. Our sub- 
ject's education was only in English branches, 
acquired in attendance at the common schools 
and academy. At thirteen years of age his 
business career began, as clerk in the post- 
office of his native town, where he did all the 
writing of the office, and attended school 
during the school hours. In 1857 he came 
to California, by the Panama route. At San 
Francisco his first occupation was in the 
postoffice, but the opportunities being too 
narrow for one of his enterprise, he soon 
found more congenial employment in the 
broader fields of mercantile life. As clerk 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



475 



he entered the office of C. J. Hawley, an ex- 
tensive wholesale and retail grocer of San 
Francisco. After one year, as a financial 
advancement, he worked on the steamboat 
running between San Francisco and Stockton 
for one year, and then returned to the former 
place, where he opened a retail grocery store. 
Here he felt the kindly influence of his old 
employer, C. J. Hawley, who in many ways 
advanced the young man's interests. Mr. 
Clark continued his store until 1868, when 
on account of failing health he sold out, and 
in 1869 came to the southern country for the 
open-air exercise, settling near Santa Maria 
Valley, and taking charge of the " Todos 
Santos" cattle ranch, where he remained 
about eighteen months. When the Guada- 
loupe Rancho was divided, about 1874, Mr. 
Clark bought 1,000 acres near Point Sal, and 
in 1884 bought 1,157 acres adjoining, upon 
which he has 750 head of cattle and fifty 
head of horses. The ranch is particularly 
adapted to grazing; being near the coast it 
has an abundance of nutritious food and 
Mr. Clark is farming only a small acreage 
to hay. His horses are well bred for general 
utility purposes. 

In 1864 Mr.. Clark was married to Miss 
Eliza Clayton, a niece of Hon. Charles 
Clayton, and they have had eight children, 
two sons and six daughters. The elder 
daughter is a descriptive writer of great 
merit, and all the children have musical tal- 
ents. The second daughter, Minnie, has 
studied music under the best instructors in 
the State, and is a finished pianist and 
vocalist. 

The history of Point Sal has been chiefly 
made by Mr. Clark, he being the promoter 
and founder of its extensive shipping indus- 
tries. In 1872, before any wharf was estab- 
lished, in partnership with W. I). Harriman, 
he commenced unloading vessels by means 



of lighters, and that year ten cargoes of lum- 
ber were loaded through the surf, and over 
1,000,000 feet were sold to the new settlers. 
In 1873 Messrs. Clark & Harriman built a 
wharf at Point Sal, of which a third interest 
was sold to Hay ward & Harmon, of San 
Francisco. In 1876 the wharf was carried 
away by a storm. It was rebuilt the fol- 
lowing spring, but the winter again destroyed 
it, and Mr. Clark soon after sold his interest, 
and is now agent for the Pacific Coast Steam- 
ship Company, whose steamers largely do 
the carrying trade of the coast. The present 
Chute Landing was built in 1880 by St. Ores, 
a Canadian Frenchman, a syndicate of ranch- 
ers furnishing the necessary capital, which 
amounted to $21,000. This is an elevated 
frame work, projecting from the cliff, firmly 
anchored to the rocks and elevated eighty 
feet above the water. The vessel is then 
safely anchored outside, over which extends, 
from the landing to a buoy beyond, a wire 
cable; this is securely attached, a traveler 
is safely suspended to it, which works 
easily back and forth upon it, by means of 
nicely adjusted shievis. To the traveler are 
then suspended cages, which by means of 
steam power are worked back and forth, thus 
discharging or loading the vessel, an engine 
on the wharf furnishing the necessary power. 
In 1881, 8,000 tons of grain were shipped by 
this landing. 

Mr. Clark has been manager of the land- 
ing since 1883. The gypsum mines of 
Point Sal were developed by him in 1883, 
on theCasmalia Rancho, owned by Merritt & 
Phoenix. Mr. Clark secured a twenty years' 
lease of Messrs. Lucas & Co. of the Golden 
Gate Plaster Mill of San Francisco, which is 
the only plaster mill on the coast for manu- 
facturing plaster of Paris and land plaster. 
The mining is all under ground and Mr. 
Clark is the manager of the works, and lie is 



47(5 



PANT A BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



said to be the " Father of gypsum on the 
Coast," and he mines about, 3,000 tons per 
year. Mr. Clark possesses the confidence 
and esteem of the community, and in early 
life devoted much time to the interest? of the 
Republican party; but in later life his mani- 
fold duties have occupied all his time. 

— ~~ m| * 3hS * | i~* 

jEENAKDINO LUGO was born in San 
S Fernando, May 10, 1810. Early in life 
he was taken by his family to Santa 
Barbara and his childhood was spent at that 
place. It was not until 1850 that Mr. Lugo 
came to San Luis Obispo County. Then 
hardly a settlement was to he seen anywhere. 
He engaged in ranching extensively, and for 
many years was foreman of a large ranch, 
known as the Paso Eobles ranch. In 1870 
he came to San Luis Obispo and has been en- 
gaged in the cattle business ever since, resid- 
ing at present in the city and living a very 
quiet life. He is a very familiar figure on 
the streets of the city. When out of doors 
he is always on horseback, sitting as erect as 
a soldier. He is eighty years of age. Mr. 
Luo-o was married in 1850, and has one son 
living. 

— -*» »|*3«HiH~»» — 

f[OHN M. PRICE, one of the best known 
i veterans of San Luis Obispo County, 
^ and we can say of the State, is the sub- 
ject of this brief sketch. " Old John Price " 
was born in Bristol, England, September 29, 
1810. As a boy he was fond of the sea and 
at a very early age became a sailor. When 
fifteen years old he shipped for a three- 
years cruise to the Southern Ocean on a 
whaler named Cadmus, of London, England. 
At the age of eighteen he started on that 



eventful voyage which unexpectedly landed 
him for all time on the coast of California in 
the New World, on the bark Kent, a whaling 
ship commanded by Captain Lawton. The 
Captain was a hard master, Mr. Price re- 
belled, and in company with another boy 
quit the ship at Manzanillo, now a prominent 
Mexican port, but then a wild, uninhabited 
region, where this whaling vessel put in for 
supplies. The two young men escaped undis- 
covered, and this, in the year 1829, was the 
beginning of their career on the American 
continent. Making their way into the in- 
terior, with the aid of friendly Indians, they 
finally reached Colima, where Mr. Price al- 
most succumbed to an attack of cholera. 
After a year's sojourn there he improved the 
opportunity to come to Monterey, California, 
on a sailing vessel. At that place he was 
for six years a vaquero about the ancient 
capital, and then, in 1886, he came to San 
Luis Obispo, where he has ever since been a 
resident. Here he first hired out to Captain 
W. G. Dana, receiving as wages $15 a month 
on the .Nipomo. Two years later he was en- 
gaged on the Huasna Ranch for Isaac J. 
Sparks, for which he was paid $20 a month 
for several years. During the Graham in- 
surrection he became one of the many pris- 
oners who were sentenced to confinement at 
Santa Barbara and San Bias by order of 
Alvarado. In 1846 he was residing at the 
old ranch house a short distance above the 
site of the present village of Arroyo Grande. 
The Mexican war was in progress and Mr. 
Price was surprised one day by the appear- 
ance of General Fremont and his troops, who 
wanted him and his men (Indians working 
for him) to surrender. Mr. Price was willing 
to surrender, but suddenly the Indians were 
missing. It was afterward ascertained that 
they had hid themselves in the almost im- 
penetrable mass of willows then growing in 



AND YEN TUli A COUNTIES. 



477 



the Arroyo Grande Talley, where they could 
not at that time he found. Mr. Price states 
as an eye witness that the stories rite concern- 
ing the reckless depredations by Fremont's 
troops are great exaggerations. 

On the breaking out of the gold fever of 
1848, Mr. Price and Mr. F. Z. Branch started 
off to try their luck. They found some "big 
nuggets," and after a fair degree of success 
returned to their ranches. These nuggets 
Mr. Price desired to retain as splendid speci- 
mens, but subsequent hard times compelled 
him to cash them. 

For a time he worked on the Pizmo ranch 
on shares with Mr. Sparks, and subsequently 
he purchased it undivided — 7,000 acres, near 
the ocean shore. This place is a favorite re- 
sort. For fifty years Mr. Price has been en- 
gaged in cattle-raising, dairying, etc., and 
now, at the age of eighty years, he is as ac- 
tive and energetic as any man on his place, 
thinking nothing of a long ride in the saddle 
or of frequent trips with horse and wagon to 
San Luis Obispo city, fifteen miles distant. 
Since his settlement here he has had many 
offices of prominence, both under Mexican 
and American control. Under the Mexican 
Government he was Alcalde and Juez de 
Paz, and as an American official he was Al- 
calde, Justice of the Peace, County Judge 
and Supervisor. Many are the curious docu- 
ments which Mr. Price has in his possession 
and which he courteously shows to his visi- 
tors, in relation to the offices he held in those 
times. As Alcalde he gave great satisfac- 
tion, and, taking into account the greatly dis- 
turbed condition of the country at thai time, 
without law and without precedent, his posi- 
tion was fraught with great responsibilities. 
Man} are the observations of historical in- 
terest that Mr. Price can make to a visitor, 
taking him back to 1840, and even earlier. 

CD * 

Probably he is the oldest white settler of this 



county, and his life has been full of adven- 
ture and excitement. Cast upon the world 
to take care of himself when a boy, amongst a 
strange people and in a strange country, he 
has through his indomitable will-power and 
pluck reached a position of wealth and honor 
in his old age. 

He was married in 1844 to Dona Andrea 
Carlon, a native of California, and they have 
had thirteen children, of whom twelve are now 
living. A splendid specimen of adobe work 
is seen in a portion of the family home at 
Pizmo. The walls are there two and a half 
feet in thickness, and as the family increased 
in number, rooms were added to the house. 
Mr. John M. Price is distinguished for his 
hospitality and devotion to the welfare of his 
family. 



►|m£< 



^WAMES A. BLOOD, one of the successful 
%\ ranchers of the Carpenteria Yalley, re- 
^i sides in a handsome residence situated 
on a high elevation among the foot-hills, 
commanding a superb view of the valley, 
ocean and the islands in the distance. Mr. 
Blood was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 
1818. His father was a mechanic by trade, 
and a native of Salem. He moved to Roch- 
ester, New York, when the streets of that 
present beautiful city were filled with stumps 
and the town supported but one insignificant 
hotel. James A. remained at home until 
nineteen years of age, when he went to Illi- 
nois, and became engaged in the manufacture 
of plows. He was one of the first to make a 
scouring plow, and people would come a 
hundred miles to see it work. He did a 
large business for that country, and also car- 
ried on farming, owning a quarter section of 
land. He remained twelve years, and then 
sold out in 1850 and came to California. 



478 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



He fitted up three wagons with plenty of 
supplies, and started on his long march, 
taking seven men who paid him for trans- 
portation. He was eighty-seven days en 
route, and men and animals all arrived in 
first-class condition, while others suffered 
severely from lack of supplies. He then 
went to the mines in Placer County, and 
after a short but successful experience he re- 
turned to the East, having made $3,000. He 
then engaged in the hardware business in 
Farmington, Illinois, and one year later sold 
out and returned to California. He again 
crossed the plains. This trip took six months, 
as he drove eighty head of cattle and suffered 
very little loss. He then settled at Marys- 
ville, Yuba County, where he began trading 
by running a pack train to the mines, and 
later engaged in the merchandise business 
with a Mr. Shannon, for two years. He then 
sold out, continuing his trading until 1858. 
In that year he went East with his brother, 
by water and the Eads ship canal route. 
They then purchased cattle on the border of 
Texas, and drove 1,250 head across the plains, 
up the Arkansas River to Pueblo, then to 
Denver, leaving the cattle to graze on the 
Humboldt River through the winter. In 
crossing they lost about 200 head, and later 
the Indians stampeded 500, thus making the 
transaction a losing investment. The subject 
of this sketch then went to the mines in the 
Indian Valley, where his first year's business 
amounted to $33,000. He was then "frozen 
out" by his partners, receiving only $25,000 
for his one-third interest. He was in the 
valley about five years, as he also owned 
1,000 acres of land in partnership with his 
brother. Mr. Blood also had mining inter- 
ests in Summit City, Nevada County, where 
he invested $25,000 and lost every cent. In 
December, 1866, he made a pleasure trip to 
the East with his wife, going by the Isthmus 



of Panama, and returning to California in 
1867. After returning to San Francisco, he 
began looking about for a place to settle, and 
came down the coast by steamer, landing at 
Santa Barbara. He purchased 117 acres in 
the Carpenteria Valley, all wild, rough land. 
After clearing the land he began the cultiva- 
tion of nuts, corn and beans, and he has 
since added to his place, increasing it to 350 
acres. In 1875 he rented the ranch and 
moved to Santa Barbara, where he carried on 
the grocery business under the firm name of 
Blood & Orr, for about six years, after which 
he returned to his ranch. In August, 1887, 
he sold bis entire tract to a syndicate. He 
then re- purchased eight acres, where he has 
since built his large and beautiful residence. 
Mr. Blood was married at Avon, Fulton 
County, Illinois, March 29, 1840, to Miss 
Cornelia L. Woods, and they have just cele- 
brated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, 
a pleasure granted to but few in this world. 
Although they have not been blessed with 
children, their present happy relation is 
significant of the peace and harmony which 
have always existed. 



ANTJEL P. FREIRE was born in 
California in 1864, and is a son of 
¥^^* Portuguese parents, his father and 
mother, now deceased, both being natives of 
the Azores Islands. Mr. Freire spent his 
early life in Watsonville, on a farm, and in 
1874 moved to San Luis Obispo County, 
where he has since made his home. At first 
he leased a ranch in Los Osos Valley and 
engaged in the cattle business. A year later 
he leased for a term of years the ranch he 
now occupies, located on the Corral de Piedra. 
This property consists of 1,130 acres. Mr. 
Freire devotes his time solely to the dairy 




AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



479 



business, marketing the products in San 
Francisco with very excellent results. Mr. 
Freire is married, but has no children. 



'HOMAS B. HIGUERA was born in 
San Fernando, California, March 7, 
1818, and died March 10, 1886. He 
came to the county of San Lnis Obispo in 
1855, and invested in property located in 
what is now the center of San Lnis Obispo. 
A prominent street known as Higuera Street, 
named after him, adjoins this property. 
Most of this land has since been disposed of, 
and Mr. Higuera's widow and family who 
survive him now reside in a dwelling of their 
own on Marsh street. Mr. Higuera fought 
in the Mexican war and took an important 
part therein. For some years before his 
death he suffered greatly from rheumatism 
and was quite an invalid; and prior to this he 
was actively engaged in ranching and was 
very successful. In 1844 he was married to 
Bacilia Hernandez, by whom he had fifteen 
children, ten of whom are now living, one 
having died October 12, 1890. 



*•& 



-S+4 



fOHN HENRY BARON von SCHRO- 
DER, proprietor of the magnificent 
Eagle ranch described at length at the 
close of this sketch, is a native of Germany, 
the eldest son and heir to the estates and 
titles of the Von Schroder family. At the 
age of eighteen years, namely in 1870, he 
entered the Prussian army and served 
through the Franco- Prussian war of 1870- 
'71, in a regiment of Hussars. In 1880 
he retired from the army, and in 1882 re- 
ceived the decoration of the iron cross for 
twelve years of distinguished service. From 



the Hussars he was transferred to the Cuiras- 
siers of the Guard, on which he served four 
years in Berlin and. then changed to the 
Thirteenth Dragoons, of which regiment he 
is at present Premier Lieutenant d. R. 

After leaving the army he traveled during 
the greater part of two years in the South 
Sea Islands. It was in January, 1881, that 
he arrived in San Francisco, and directly 
afterward, while on a hunting tour in San 
Luis Obispo County, he "fell in love" with 
the Eagle ranch. The original settlers on 
this property were the family of Francisco 
Siquero. In 1876 A. F. Benton came into 
possession of it, and in 1882 the entire prop- 
erty of 2,400 acres was surveyed and was pur- 
chased by Baron von Schroder. Large game 
are still plentiful on this ranch, many bear 
aud deer having been killed in recent years. 

The Baron married Miss Donahue, of San 
Francisco, and has two children. 

THE EAGLE KANCHO, 

eighteen miles from San Luis Obispo city, 
and six miles from Santa Margarita, is a 
work of large significance and even of great 
notoriety. A first thought on visiting the 
place is that it was a hearty lover of nature 
in her rugged fastnesses and her sweet soli- 
tudes who discovered and afterward appro- 
priated this secluded domain, which has to a 
great extent been already redeemed from the 
wilderness. Making Santa Margarita station 
our starting point, and driving westward to- 
ward the Santa Lucia Mountains, we begin 
the easy ascent on a fine graded road up a 
little valley, crossing here and there a small 
brook of pure rattling water, and then wind- 
ing in and out along the canons under great 
live-oaks, at every turn catching views and 
gleams of scenery long to be remembered. 
In less than six miles the outer rim of hills 
has been surmounted and a gralual descent 



480 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



of half a mile brings to view the beautiful 
basin of sixty or eighty acres, where appear 
the buildings, orchard, vineyard and garden 
of the home part of the Eagle Rancho. On 
the east side of the basin are the great 
wooded hills we have just crossed on our way 
in, and on the west two dark, chapparal- 
eovered mountains. Near the southern side 
of the base of the mountain are the ground 
and residence; and west of these, between 
the mountains, are the orchard, garden and 
vineyard. The residence of the Baron is on 
the crest of a handsome knoll containing 
about two acres and rising above the plain 
forty to fifty feet. The grounds are inclosed 
by a well-grown cypress hedge at the base of 
the knoll. Within this circle of cypress 
about eight or ten feet is a low stone-wall, 
above which on the bank is another hedge of 
cypress; while between the wall and the 
outer hedge is a fine graveled walk, — a 
charming promenade quite concealed by the 
cypress. The sloping grounds around the 
residence are laid out in unique style. On 
the southeastern and northeastern sides are 
miniature forests of thickly set cypress, 
forming an impenetrable mass of interlacing 
branches, impressing the mind with a sense 
of seclusion and distance as if in the heart 
of a forest. The residence faces the north- 
west. The foregrounds are laid out in rose- 
gardens, greensward, graveled walks and 
beds of flowers, at once graceful, simple and 
harmonious. In brief, the principal charac- 
teristic of the residence is its suggestiveness 
of tranquillity in retirement. 

A wide veranda enveloped in clematis and 
climbing roses, finished with an ornamental 
roof, furnishes shade and shelter on the 
front and two sides of the house. Rooms, 
all on the ground floor, are numerous and 
ample. Rich and quiet furnishing renders 
the whole interior homelike and smilingly 



inviting, with the aid of piano, organ and 
harp. 

In the rear of the residence and about a 
hundred yards distant, in the point of a rocky 
spur from the mountain base, is the grotto, 
cut into the solid rocks about twenty-four 
feet wide, twelve feet high and forty-eight 
feet deep, and opening toward the valley and 
the residence. It is smoothly floored and 
wainscotted a yard high, with wide shelving 
to receive vases of antique pottery and of 
flowers, with bright matting, lounging and 
easy chairs of cool rattan and other means of 
luxurious delectation. A grove of choice 
forest trees from two hemispheres occupies 
the little space between the grotto and the 
residence, while a fountain plays in front of 
the grotto at the entrance to the grove. 

The water supply at the altitude of this 
ranch — some 1,500 i'eet above sea-level — was 
by no means sufficient for its many uses on 
the property; and it therefore became neces- 
sary to increase it largely and at the same 
have it pure. This was accomplished by 
piercing the mountain side near at hand by a 
tunnel at sufficient elevation to secure the de- 
sired pressure, only about 160 feet in depth 
being required to reach the water. The 
mouth of the tunnel was then walled up and 
the tunnel itself became an underground 
reservoir shut in from dust and sun. 

The largest prune orchard in the world is 
on this ranch, in another basin three miles 
distant i'rom the residence. It contains 200 
acres of thrifty trees Hve years old, being 
one year old when planted there. The soil 
is a fine, rich slate loam, mellow as a garden 
bed newly made, and is kept in a high state 
of cultivation under the care and superin- 
tendence of Mr. Benton, the competent, 
courteous and faithful manager of all the 
business and work of the Eagle Rancho. 
Ten tons of dried prunes were grown on 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES- 



481 



these young trees three years after planting, 
which took the first premium over all com- 
petitors at the Mechanics' Institute Fair for 
1889, as the " best French prunes raised in 
the State of California." Substantial build- 
ings, with accommodations for the ranch 
men, are located in this part of the premises, 
and are for the exclusive use of the men who 
are employed in the great prune orchard and 
on work adjacent. 

Two and a half miles from the residence, 
on the headwaters of the Atascadero Creek, 
in a deep mountain gorge, are the pictur- 
esque and beautiful waterfalls which, with the 
great overhanging cliffs and gigantic leaning 
trees almost canopying the chasm, constitute 
one of the charms of the Eagle Rancho, and 
are made entirely acceptable by a delightful 
drive to the canon and a romantic walk 
through a great thicket of wild lilac. This 
spot is particularly refreshing during the hot 
weather of summer. A fish-pond between 
the residence and prune orchard is an at- 
tractive feature of the place, and reveals in- 
genuity in its construction, location and gen- 
eral arrangement. The Baron proposes to 
stock this farm with choice fish. 

One of the most expensive and delightful 
improvements on this property is the system 
of beautiful drives, lined with trees of differ- 
ent varieties, the noble redwood being con- 
spicuous among them. They wind through 
romantic canons, over ridges and through the 
valleys, revealing new views and scenery at 
every turn. One of these climbs the moun- 
tain in the rear of the residence quite to the 
summit, an elevation of 2,500 feet above the 
ocean level, with a wide, easy grade, over 
which the team trots much of the way. It 
is the intention of the Baron to plant the 
pine and redwood trees all over the great 
chapparal hills or small mountains, wliich 
constitute a large part of the estate; and in 



time he will thus transform these wastes of 
chapparal into noble forests, making them 
an admirable range for game and adding a 
new element of beauty to the landscape. 
The chief purpose of this grand drive to the 
mountain top, as well as most of the other 
work now visible at different point3 through- 
out this grand retreat, is utilitarian mainly 
in a spirital sense. 



f^ENRY STORROW CARN ES, of Santa 
Barbara, was born in Boston, Massa- 
chusetts, June 10, 1822, eldest son of 
Nathaniel Greene Carnes, who was a grand- 
nephew of General Nathaniel Greene of Revo- 
lutionary fame. Captain Carnes' father, also 
a native of Boston, was a Captain in a Mass- 
achusetts regiment in the war of 1812, and 
passed the last twenty years of his life in 
France. At one time be was wealthy, but 
lost his fortune by the failure of the Bank of 
the United States in 1836. He made and lost 
two or three fortunes, and eventually lost 
all his property. Botb the parents are now 
dead, and three of their sons and two daugh- 
ters are living: George resides in San Fran- 
cisco, Lewis is in London, England, and the 
two daughters in France. His grandfather 
was a Captain in Lee's Light Horse, and his 
great-grandfather was an Episcopalian min- 
ister and a chaplain in the American army 
during the Revolutionary War, and was in 
intimate correspondence with General Wash- 
ington during the early period of the Revo- 
lution. His mother's family were Wain- 
wrights, one of the early families of Boston, 
who came from England to this country about 
1630 or 1650, and sympathized with the 
American cause. The progenitor of the 
Carnes family in America was Commodore 
John Cairnes, of North Britain, Scotland, 



482 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



who commanded the English fleet cruising 
on the American coast during the early years 
of the seventeenth century. He was one of 
the originators of " The Ancient and Honor- 
able Artillery Company " of Boston, and its 
commander in 1649 and '52, as was also his 
great-grandson, Lieutenant - Colonel John 
Carnes, father of the chaplain before men- 
tioned, in 1750. Mr. Carnes was but six 
months old when he was taken by his par- 
ents in their change of residence to New 
York city. At the age of eighteen he went 
to Paris, which city his father had previously 
visited, and studied languages and anatomy, 
under the instructions of Professors Bernard 
and Guy, and resided there six years. He 
learned to speak the French language very 
fluently, and is now a good Spanish scholar. 
Volunteering in the Mexican war, he saw 
much service, and came to California in the 
famous Stevenson's regiment. During the 
last war he was in the Provost Marshal's de- 
partment, under Colonel Jackson; and was 
afterward several years in the Internal Rev- 
enue Department. He was Postmaster of 
Santa Barbara six years, most of the time 
under President Grant; after that he was not in 
business until recently, he became book-keeper 
and reporter for the Santa Barbara Independ- 
ent. In 1851-'52 he was a member of the 
State Assembly; and District Judge for Santa 
Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo coun- 
ties, in the earlier years of the State, serving 
a part of the time by appointment; was also 
a member of the city council several years. 

In 1850 Captain Carnes married Maria 
Domitila Rodriguez, a Spanish lady, whose 
father was Jose Jesus Rodriguez, and whose 
family came to California in the military 
train of one of the first Spanish Governors. 
Her parents are dead, but she has brothers 
and sisters living in this State. Mr. Carnes 
has nine children, all living' in Santa Barbara 



and Ventura: John is a farmer; Lewis, the 
only married son, is in business; Frederick 
is Deputy Recorder of Ventura County, and 
Nathaniel is employed in clerical work. The 
daughters are Mary, who married Mr. Tico, 
a farmer; Melanie, now the wife of Thomas 
Chrisman; Adelia, unmarried; Martha, now 
Mrs. Charles Bell, and Rosalie, the youngest 
of the family. 



«0» ii^V^i-^+^>|i-^tHli 401 

BORON DA, son of Jose Canuto and 
Francisca (Castro) de Boronda, was 
® born in Santa Barbara in 1834. While 
he was yet an infant the family moved to 
Monterey County, where he remained twenty- 
eight years. His father owned a fine ranch at 
that place on which he was engaged in ranch- 
ing. Mr. Boronda is one of a large family — 
thirteen children — of whom nine are still liv- 
ing. In 1871 he came to San Luis Obispo, 
and lived with his Ulster two years. Next he 
went to the mines, and seven months later 
came to the Santa Margarita Valley, where he 
lives to-day. His ranch comprises 160 acres, 
and is beautifully situated seven miles from 
the city of San Luis Obispo. As Mr. Bo- 
ronda is a cordial, hearty, and in every way a 
popular man, his pleasant country home is 
always full of visitors. He was married in 
1874 to Beatriz R. de Boronda. One child, 
Epifanio, is the result of this union. Mr. 
Boronda is a direct descendant of an old Cas- 
tiliau family in Spain, and he is justly proud 
of his ancestrv. 



P^ENRY W. OLD (deceased) was one 
of the most respected pioneers of the 
Santa Clara Valley, Ventura County, 
California. He was born in Corwin Parish, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



483 



Cornwall, England, October 5, 1834. May 
4, 1845, his parents, both English people, set 
sail for America, bringing their family, and 
locating in Wisconsin. The subject of this 
sketch was reared and educated in 'that State. 
He spent six years of his life working in the 
Cliff copper mines in Wisconsin. He was 
after that variously employed in different 
places: in Illinois, then in Dodgeville, Wis- 
consin; in 1857 removed to Eagle River, 
Michigan; in 1862 went to Vermont to look 
after the development of a copper mine for 
a company, and was five months opening a 
mine. 

While at Dodgeville, Wisconsin, on the 
23d of November, 1850, Mr. Old was united 
in marriage to Miss Ketura Cox, a native of 
Plymouth, England. Before coming to this 
coast three children were born to them : 
Elizabeth A., Eliza J. and James J. With 
his wife and his little family he started for 
California, coming via the Isthmus route. 
He worked in the mines at Grass Valley, 
Nevada City, for seven years, being in the 
employ of a company. In 1869, with his 
family and his brother-in-law, Richard Cox, 
he came to Ventura County. Mr. Old pur- 
chased 320 acres of land in what was then 
a wilderness of wild mustard, where their 
present fine home is now located. There were 
no trees and no land marks, and here the 
family struggled along with adversity and 
worked with unremitting zeal, both Mr. and 
Mrs. Old being united in their efforts to make 
a comfortable home. In the course of years 
they succeeded admirably, their ranch being 
now one of the finest in the valley. They 
built a large and commodious house, large 
barns, and planted rows of Eucalyptus tree6, 
a large orchard, plenty of 6mall fruit, and an 
abundance of flowers and shrubs; and the 
skill and good taste combined in the planning 
and execution of this work have rendered it 



an attractive place. The ranch is supplied 
with plenty of artesian water. Mr. Old 
raised both grain and stock, while Mrs. Old 
took a just pride in her turkeys, ducks and 
chickens, which afforded both pleasure and 
profit. George W. and Edith were added to 
their family in California. 

Late in the month of May, 1889, Mr. Old 
was taken ill. The disease in a few days ter- 
minated in heart trouble, which caused his 
death June 2. To his wife and children it 
was very unexpected, and they deeply mourn 
his loss. He was an industrious man, a faith- 
ful and loving husband and father, and he 
died with his trust in the Saviour. He is 
missed by a large circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances. Their loss is his infinite gain, 
and he has gone to forever enjoy the reward 
of a well-spent life. The home he made by 
toil and self denial and left to his family, is 
his most fitting monument. 

The oldest son, James, is married and re- 
sides on the place with his mother. He is an 
industrious young man of good health and 
character, and is a support and comfort to his 
widowed mother in this her time of bereave- 
ment. 



-&-** 



LBERT F. BENTON, foreman and 
former owner of the Eagle ranch, now- 
owned by Baron von Schroder, was born 
in Germany, in 1848. When he was six years 
old his parents moved to America, the family 
then consisting of four children. As soon as 
he was old enough he engaged in business 
with his brother who kept a wholesale grocery 
house iu New York city. In 1866 he came 
to California, and for three years was em- 
ployed in a wholesale liquor house in San 
Francisco. He then came to Paso Robles and 
bought a tract of 1,000 acres of land, five 



484 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



miles west of the town, and engaged in sheep- 
raising. He still owns and leases 640 acres 
of this property. It was in 1876 that he ac- 
quired possession of the Eagle ranch, and for 
six years was principally engaged in cattle- 
raising. At the end of that time he sold the 
property to its present owner, and is now 
the foreman. 

Mr. Benton was married in 1869 to Miss 
Hannah Menton, of English ancestry, al- 
though horn and brought up in the Santa 
Clara Yalley, California. Mr. and Mrs. Ben- 
ton are the parents of four children. 

During Mr. Benton's ownership of the 
Eagle ranch, everything was in its Avild state. 
Bears were very plenty and also extremely 
troublesome to the cattle raiser. Mr. Benton 
describes very graphically the loss of much 
of his stock, and " bruin " is responsible in 
each case. So uncivilized was this part of 
the country at that time that Mrs. Benton's 
father strongly objected to his daughter mak- 
ing it her home, insisting that it was no place 
for women. She did not, however, seem at 
all distressed at the outlook, and the Eagle 
ranch has been her home since 1876. In 
early times this property must have been a 
favorite resort for Indians, as many relics of 
their curious implements have been found 
and preserved, among them a splendid and 
perfect specimen of a mortar and pestle, used 
by them for pounding acorns for bread, etc. 

»^jhj4m- 

|||ALTEB SCOTT CHAFFEE, a pio- 
I neer and one of the most prosperous 




business men of San Buenaventura, 
was born in Madison County, New York, 
February 2, 1834. His ancestors were from 
Massachusetts, but his father, E. H. Chaffee, 
was a native of Madison County, and was a 
farmer in the " town " (township) of Peters- 



burg, where the celebrated Gerrit Smith 
was brought up; they were playmates to- 
gether. During the great slavery excite- 
ment Messrs. Smith and Chaffee were " un- 
der-ground railroad " men, and many a one 
of God's poor they helped along the road to 
liberty. Mr. Chaffee's mother, whose maiden 
name was Celinda M. Stranahan, was a native 
of Cooperstown, New York. He was the 
third child in a fa-nily of seven children, and 
at the early age of fourteen years he began 
his mercantile career, being ten years a clerk 
in the city of Syracuse, New York. In 1858 
he went to Portage City, Wisconsin, and 
opened a general merchandise store; but a 
year afterward he sold out aad returned to 
his home in New Y"ork, where he remained a 
year. Then, in company with Jerome B. 
Chaffee, he went to Pike's Peak and bought 
two claims at Leadville, where he was a miner 
for one season. The following year, 1861, he 
came to San Buenaventura, when there were 
but three American settlers in what is now 
Yentura County. Two of them still reside 
here, — Y. A. Simpson and W. D. ^Hobson. 
Mr. Chaffee started a ranch on T. Moore's 
grant and engaged in raising hogs. Six 
months afterward he sold his interest and 
opened a general merchandise store, and has 
ever since been in mercantile life excepting 
two years. When he began here there was 
but one other store in the place. He pur- 
chased his goods in San Francisco, and had 
them brought here by schooner. He has also 
been engaged meanwhile in general farming 
and stock-raising. He was one of the original 
incorporators of the Bank of Yentura, and is 
at present one of its directors. When the 
town was incorporated he was appointed by 
the Legislature a member of the first Board 
of Trustees. During the late war he kept 
the United States flag flying night and day 
upon a liberty pole in front of his store. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



485 



After several of the flags had been stolen, he 
guarded the next one with a shot-gun for 
several nights. It was the only flag south of 
San Jose that was placed at half-mast when 
the news of President Lincoln's assassination 
reached the coast. Although interested in 
the political welfare of the country, he has 
never accepted office. 

He built his present brick store, 30 x 100 
feet, on East Main and Palm streets, with a 
storehouse in the rear, another 100 feet in 
depth. He has also built an elegant resi- 
dence on a 100-acre ranch near town, and he 
has a 3,000-acre farm and stock ranch on the 
Santa Clara River, thirty four miles from Ven- 
tura, where he has several hundred head each 
of sheep, cattle and horses, and is constantly 
improving the stock. Parties are now sink- 
ing the fifth oil well on this land, the four 
already in operation yielding an average of 
twenty-five barrels per day each. Mr. Chaffee, 
notwithstanding the fact that he has seen 
forty years of active business life, appears 
like a man in the prime of life about forty- 
five years of age. He has truly seen a " wil- 
derness blossom as the rose." From a little 
Spanish settlement the city of San Buenaven- 
tura has sprang up to a place of 3,000 in- 
habitants living in homes of beauty and 
refinement, with their numerous business 
blocks, metropolitan hotels, fine churches, 
model school buildings, etc. San Buenaven- 
tura has indeed been to him what the name 
implies, — " Good Luck." 

For his wife, Mr. Chaffee married Miss 
Rebecca Nidever, a native of Texas, born in 
1846, and of their nine children all are living 
save one. Walter Scott, Jr., was born in 
Santa Barbara, in his grandfather's house, and 
now has charge of his father's ranch. The 
following children were born in San Buena- 
ventura: John Hyde, now teller of the Ven- 
tura Bank; Arthur Leslie, his father's book- 



keeper; and Helen L., Ethel, Law T rence, 
Chester and Margareta, all of whom are at 
home with their parents. Mrs. Chaffee is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. 
Chaffee, although brought up a Presbyterian, 
has never joined any church. He is a Master 
Mason and a Knight Templar. 

"~Hg*3wfr*fw~~ 

fSENRY CHAPMAN FORD was born 
in 1828 at Livonia, New York. At an 
early age he chose the profession of an 
artist, and to perfect himself spent two or 
three years in Europe, studying at Paris and 
Florence. 

Returning; from there at about the beffin- 
ning of our civil war, he in December, 1861, 
enlisted and served about a year in the army 
in the West and South, when he was dis- 
charged for physical disability caused by a 
series of forced marches in Tennessee, Ala- 
bama and Kentucky. 

When in the army he furnished many 
sketches for the illustrated papers. While 
recuperating at Chicago he was induced to 
open a studio there and was the first landscape 
artist in that city who attempted to gaio a 
livelihood by the brush. 

Afterwards, when more attention was given 
to art and the Chicago Academy of Design 
was incorporated, Mr. Ford took an active 
part in its inauguration; was one of its 
charter members, and for several years its 
president. At that date he was best known as 
a painter of forest interiors, nearly his whole 
time being devoted to this class of landscapes. 
To obtain studies for these, his summer 
sketching excursions were extended to all the 
picturesque mountains of the Northern and 
Middle states, and to the savannas and cypress 
swain ps of the South. 

In 1866, before a railway had crossed the 



486 



SANTA BARBARA, RAN LVI8 OBISPO 



plains, in company with his wife and two 
other artists, he visited the Rocky Mountains 
and spent some five months in camping and 
sketching in the parks of Colorado, much of 
the time beyond the reach of any mail. A 
few years later he visited the same region 
with a class of pupils. His studio was in the 
Academy, and when it was burned in the 
great fire of 1871, his accumulated studies of 
many years were destroyed. 

His health failing in 1874, he was advised 
to seek a change of climate, and in accordance 
w T ith this advice, he went, in 1875, to Califor- 
nia, and soon after settled at Santa Barbara, 
finding the genial climate, picturesque sur- 
roundings, and agreeable society of that place, 
very attractive to himself and wife. Califor- 
nia is the paradise of the landscape artist. 
Its long rainless seasons and mild climate en- 
able him to ramble far and wide, undeterred 
by any apprehension of bad weather. These 
favorable conditions Mr. Ford did not fail to 
make use of; for almost every year since he 
came to Santa Barbara, camping excursions 
have been made by him until every valley 
and noted locality in Southern and Middle 
California has been visited. 

In 1878 he organized a party composed of 
artists and of persons of scientific and literary 
tastes and made a long camping trip to the 
Yo Semite, where during the six weeks they 
spent in the valley he made many sketches 
of its remarkable scenery. But probably the 
most important work of Mr. Ford as an 
artist in California has been his labors to 
preserve, in a pictorial form, the remnants of 
the old Franciscan missions that are scattered 
along the coast from San Diego to San Fran- 
cisco. The site of each of these was visited, 
and careful studies made of all that remained 
of them. A series of handsome etchings 
were made by him from these and printed; 
the imperial edition of which, being in at- 



tractive folios with brief historical and de- 
scriptive letter press, has found a place in 
many university and college libraries and art 
museums in America. 

It is not as an artist only that Mr. Ford is 
known in Santa Barbara, but as an intelligent, 
well-informed gentleman of unusual scientific 
acquirements outside of his profession, as is 
evidenced by his having been for many years 
president of its Natural History Society, as 
well as one of the most active and efficient 
members of its Horticultural Society. As a 
botanist he has interested himself in the 
introduction and. cultivation of foreign trees 
and shrubs; and as a citizen, has made him- 
self generally useful in promoting all good 
works in Santa Barbara. 



fOSEPH FANDREY, Santa Barbara. 
Among the. progressive institutions of 
Santa Barbara will . be found the art 
rooms of Mr. Joseph Fandrey, who was born 
at Berlin, Germany, in 1847. He was es- 
pecially educated in decorative art work, and 
to perfect himself he studied drawing and 
painting in designs at the Yienna Academy 
and at Berlin. He has served as foreman in 
the leading furniture manufactories. He 
emigrated to the United States in 1882, and 
went to Chicago, where for two years he 
worked in manufactories. He then came to 
San Rafael, and was employed by Mr. Sayle in 
the furniture business. He came to Santa 
Barbara in 1885, and engaged with Mr. F. H. 
Knight as foreman of his decorating and up- 
holstering establishment. Mr. Fandrey re- 
ceives the latest designs from the leading 
decorators in Dresden, Yienna and Berlin. 
He is also an inventor in artistic furniture, 
the " Sultan Ottoman and Fandrey Chaise 
Lounge" being among the number, and are 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



487 



most convenient and comfortable. He re- 
ceived a medal in Yienna for artistic work, 
and in the Santa Barbara exhibition of home 
products in 1887 and 1889 he received silver 
medals for each year for his display of fur- 
niture. His show-rooms are at No. 8 East 
Ortega street, where he carries a fine line 
of easy chairs, sofas, etc., and upholstering 
materials. 

#W# 



:E. CEPHAS L. BARD, a pioneer of 
San Buenaventura, of 1868, deserves 
special mention in this work. Previous 
to the Revolution the progenitors of the 
family to which he belongs came to America 
and settled in Franklin County, Pennsyl- 
vania, when the colony was in its infancy. 
The men were men of character and ability, 
active in the affairs of the time. The Doctor's 
father, Robert M. Bard, was a native of 
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, born in 1810, 
and for many years practiced law in that 
county, being at the head of the bar; was a 
man of talent, a prominent leader, and a 
candidate for Congress at time of his death. 
He married Elizabeth Little, a native of 
Mercer6burg, same State, who was born in 
1816, the daughter of Doctor P. W. Little. 
Their "family consisted of two sons and two 
daughters, the Doctor being the third child. 
He completed his education in a classical 
course at Chambersburg Academy, and his 
medical education at the Jefferson Medical 
College of Philadelphia. His ancestors on 
the maternal 6ide were nearly all physicians, 
and on the paternal side Drs. John and Sam- 
uel Bard were founders of the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of New York. It 
is but natural therefore that the subject of 
this sketch should inherit a taste for this pro- 
fession. He began his medical studies by 



entering the office of Dr. A. H. Senseny, 
a talented physician of Pennsylvania; and 
while he was pursuing his studies there, he 
enlisted as private in Company A, One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Volun- 
teer Infantry, participated in the battles of 
the Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg and Chancel lorsville. After his term 
of service had expired he attended lectures at 
the Jefferson Medical College; and later he 
passed a satisfactory examination before an 
army medical board, and was appointed as- 
sistant surgeon in the army. Going to the 
front with his regiment, the Two Hundred 
and Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, he participated in all itssuccessesand re- 
verses, in the Army of the Potomac, until 
the close of the war. This regiment was a 
crack one, composed of remnants of several 
veteran regiments, and was commanded by 
Colonel William Sergeant, brother-in-law of 
General Meade, Commander of the Army of 
the Potomac, and its history shows that it 
ever was in the front when the battle raged 
most fiercely, and its casualties were enor- 
mous. Its greatest losses occurred at Hatcher's 
Run, Dabney's Mills, the fights before Pe- 
tersburg, Gravelly Run and Five Forks. One 
flag of truce sent in by Lee at Appomattox 
passed through a portion of this regiment 
deployed as skirmishers. By an official order 
one assistant surgeon was always with his 
regiment in order to give instant aid, and 
Bard was ever with his command, and on 
several occasions, when meeting with re 
verses, he remained behind exposed to the 
volleys of his friends as well as those of his 
foes 

Returning home he continued his practice 
until 1868, when became to Ventura County, 
California, where for twenty-two years, with 
exception of two years devoted to study in 
Eastern cities, he has been identified with all 



488 



SANTA B ABB ABA, BAN WIS OBISPO 



the interests of the place of his adoption. He 
was the first American physician with a di- 
ploma to locate in this county. By devotion 
to his calling and ambition for excellence he 
has justly attained an enviable reputation. 

His professional character has been shaped 
by his army experience and residence in a 
frontier country. Debarred association with 
the professional brethren and remote from 
surgical supplies, he is bold, self-reliant and 
full of expedients. An accomplished rider 
and well versed in the language and ways of 
the native Californians, he seems to be " to 
the manner born. " A description of his long 
rides; his varied adventures in mountains 
and swollen streams; his contact with char- 
acters not met with now, and 'his reminis- 
cences of men and things, would make a most 
interesting book. He has not allowed him- 
self to become an old fogy, but by close 
study, and by attendance at the Eastern medi- 
cal schools, he has kept fully abreast of the 
times. He is at present a member of the 
Board of Pension Examiners, President of 
the County Medical Society and Surgeon to 
the County Hospital. 

He is a member of the Military Order of 
the Loyal Legion, Grand Army of the Re- 
public, and Knights Templar, and is a Re- 
publican in his political sympathies and a 
Presbyterian in his religious opinions. His 
residence is one that in all its features and 
appointments exhibits refinement and taste. 

H E. KELLOGG, deceased.— The com- 
munity of Goleta parted with one of 
a its best and most substantial citizens 
in the death of P. E. Kellogg, which occurred 
June 28, 1884. He was a native of Jo 
Daviess County, Illinois, born November 23, 
1841. He was reared an agriculturist, and 



came West with his father, F. E. Kellogg, and 
located in Napa County, in 1846. He was 
twice married. After the death of his first 
wife, Hester Spires, he married Miss Sarah 
Montgomery, in 1868. He was the father of 
eleven children, andsix are now living. He 
came to Goleta, Santa Barbara County, in 1875. 
Mr. Kellogg was a prominent and influential 
man in his locality, a devout member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and a strong 
temperance advocate. Mrs. Kellogg lives on 
the homestead, a beautiful farm of seventy 
acres. 

EON LEVY, liquor dealer, Santa Bar. 
bara, was born at Metz, France, January 
7, 1860. He came to the United States 
in 1870 with his parents, who landed in New 
York, but immediately started westward and 
established themselves in Santa Barbara, 
which was then a small settlement of Mexi- 
cans, native Californians and a few Americans. 
Being unable to speak English, Leon attended 
Santa Barbara College to learn the language, 
and then attended the public schools. He 
went to the northern part of the State and 
passed five years as clerk; then, returning to 
Santa Barbara in 1885, he opened a wholesale 
and retail liquor store on State street, where 
he keeps both imported and domestic wines, 
liquors and cigars, making a specialty of Cali- 
fornia wines and controlling the agencies of 
very fine liquors. 

Being unmarried he resides with his 
mother. 

«°* "»+^-'l>-jMfr-'»-^r4«l»-»<-- - .- 

P1AV1D F. NEWSOM is a native of 
Petersburg, Virginia, born September 
5, 1832. He attended school at his 
home, pursuing his studies at Wake Forest 
College for one year. At this time, his 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



489 



father failing in business, David went to New 
York and learned the brass furnishers' trade. 
While there he attended a free school at night, 
being anxious to perfect himself* in his studies. 
So desirous was he to accomplish this that he 
worked ten hours for his employer during the 
day, and was ready to study when night catne. 
After being in the city two years he returned 
to Petersburg, where he clerked in a store 
for two years and a half. At the age of 
twenty-one he came to California and to San 
Luis Obispo County, taking his first meal in 
San Luis Obispo October 28, 1853. This 
meal Mr. Newsom remembers well. The 
restaurant, so called, was adjacent to the old 
Mission, and was patronized on that occa- 
sion by a curious mixture of races, no less 
than seventeen nationalities being repre- 
sented. This illustrates very forcibly the 
cosmopolitan character of the settlement in 
the city then. Mr. Newsom was County 
Clerk two terms, 1853 to 1857, the first term 
by appointment and the second by election. 
In 1854 he was instrumental in organizing 
the first public school of the county. School 
sessions were then held in the Mission build- 
ing. He was superintendent of the school 
and conducted it for three years, having entire 
charge of arrangements. Mr. Newsom re- 
signed his position as County Clerk before 
his term of office expired, and went to Oregon 
and Washington Territory on a prospecting 
tour, seeking for good business opportunities. 
In April, 1858, he opened a store in Belling- 
ham Bay, Washington Territory, the first 
store in the history of the town. Here he 
met with great success, clearing $30,000 in 
eight weeks, which included the profits of 
real-estate transactions in connection with his 
regular business. In December, 1858, Mr. 
Newsom went to the town of Fort Hope, on 
the Fraser River in British Columbia, and 
there remained until June, 1859. About this 

31 



time he was injured and was advised to return 
to California, but owing to subsequent events 
he did not follow this advice. He arrived at 
San Juan just at the time of Captain Pickett's 
arrival with his troops to prevent the arrest 
of certain individuals by the English. In 
the meantime three large English men of 
war were anchored in the bay, and, hearing 
that Captain Pickett had trespassed on Her 
Majesty's domains, the officers in chaige 
issued orders for his immediate arrest. Cap- 
tain Pickett received the officer bearing the 
order for arrest, with civility, and told him to 
tell his superiors that he would fight as long 
as he had a man left, and that he was waiting 
for them. A detachment of 500 soldiers was 
ordered to assist Captain Pickett, and when 
General Scott arrived he was allowed to de- 
part in peace. Mr. Newsom had, in the 
meantime, organized a company of sharp- 
shooters, which formed a part of the command 
under Captain Pickett. Arrangements were 
subsequently made tor the joint occupation 
of the island, and two magistrates were cho- 
sen to represent the different factions. Mr. 
Newsom had the honor of being chosen the 
American magistrate, and Major DeCoursey 
the English. This excitement quickly sub- 
sided, and Mr. Newsom looked with longing 
toward his old home and first love — San Luis 
Obispo. He returned here in 1862, and that 
same year he was elected Justice of the Peace. 
Since then he has held several offices of re- 
sponsibility and trust. Always taking an 
active interest in educational matters, Mr. 
Newsom has done much toward improving 
the system of study in the schools of the 
county and in the district where he has re- 
sided. He opened the district school in 
Arroyo Grande in 1864; and was District 
Clerk of that district for eight years, — 1864- 
'72. The Newsom School District was or- 
ganized in 1885. 



490 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUJ8 OBISPO 



In 1863 Mr. Newsom was married to Miss 
Anna Branch, daughter of F. Z. Branch, the 
well-known pioneer, and has a family of 
twelve children. In 1864 he came with his 
wife to their present ranch, near Arroyo 
Grande,— a fine estate of 1,200 acres, for- 
merly in the Branch tract. Since their occu- 
pancy Mr. Newsom has been engaged in 
stock-raising, and during the past few years 
has established a very desirable health resort 
on the property. The place is naturally well 
adapted for such an institution, being well 
located and conveniently situated within two 
miles of Arroyo Grande. Valuable hot 
springs have been located on the premises, 
and adjacent to these Mr. Newsom has built 
his sanitarium. The bath houses are well 
equipped, and the institution throughout in- 
dicates a painstaking care on the part of its 
proprietor, which is worthy of great praise. 

| LI RUNDELL, one of the early pioneers 
to California, was born in Cayuga 
County, New York, December 14, 
1828. He was reared on the farm and re- 
ceived only the common-school education of 
that period. At the age of eighteen he was 
thrilled with the western fever, and though 
then living in Illinois he wished to push far- 
ther West, and a party then being formed 
for California he joined them to go across 
the plains. The company numbered about 
seventy-five, with thirteen wagons, crossed the 
Missouri at St. Joe, May 8, 1846. After a 
pleasant trip of about five months, they en- 
tered California, and arrived at Johnson's 
ranch, forty miles north of the present site 
of Sacramento, where they went into camp. 
Then they went to Santa Clara, with the 
families of those who enlisted with Colonel 
Fremont. After three months' service in a 



local company at Santa Clara, under Colonel 
Fremont, Mr. Rundell went to Stockton with 
Dr. Q. C. Isbel, and was there engaged in 
house building. In 1848 he joined the Stock- 
ton Mining Company and went to the mines. 
He was there engaged in placer mining and 
in clerking about one year. In 1850 he re- 
turned to San Jose and began making saddle 
trees, and in 1853 went to Gilroy, Santa 
Clara County, where he opened a harness 
shop, learned the trade and remained ten 
years. In 1863 he went to Silver Mountain, 
on Carson River, prospecting, but the result 
was disastrous. In 1866 he came to Santa 
Barbara in the employ of the Coast Line 
Stage Company, as agent and harness-maker: 
remained in their employ about twenty years. 
In 1883 he opened a harness shop on State 
street, and in 1888 built his present shop at 
21 East Haley and moved his establishment. 
He keeps a fine stock of light and heavy 
harness, saddles, bridles and all effects per- 
taining to the stable. 

Mr. Rundell was married in Santa Barbara, 
in 1871, to Miss Kate Magee, a native of 
Boston, Massachusetts. They have four chil- 
dren, three of whom survive and live at home. 

Mr. Rundell was elected to the Town 
Council in 1870, and was five times re- 
elected. He was served five and one-half 
terms in the City Council. He is a member 
of the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 256; of the 
Masonic, Santa Barbara, No. 192; Order of 
the Eastern Star, No. 78; and Royal Arch 
Masons, Chapter No. 51. 



pHARLES SEDGWICK, one of the 
California pioneers, was born in Colum- 
bia County, New York, in 1829. At 
the age of fourteen years he began his busi- 
ness life, by accepting a position in a 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



491 



grocery store as clerk, and assisting in 
buying grain, at Hudson, New York, and 
continued there until he started for Califor- 
nia. Accompanied by his father, on February 
6, 1849, he started for this State, on board 
the ship Robert Bowne, commanded by Cap- 
tain F. G. Cameron, going around the Horn. 
The ship carried 207 passengers, and stopped 
at Rio Janeiro and Callao, and after a slow 
but safe trip of seven months they landed at 
San Francisco. They then went to the mines 
on the Stanislaus River, and worked in 
placer mining, but on account of the illness 
of his father they returned to Stockton, where 
they opened a market and began butchering, 
which they continued very successfully until 
1880. Mr. Sedgwick then ran a river express 
to San Francisco, and in 1882 came to Santa 
Maria and opened a market, which he has 
since followed. Mr. Sedgwick, with two 
children, have each located 160 acres adjoin- 
ing, in Chimney Flat Canon, north of Suey 
Rancho, which they are stocking with horses 
and cattle. 

He was married at Stockton, San Joaquin 
County, on June 10, 1858, to Miss Mary A. 
Clements, a daughter of J. E. Clements, who 
was born in Hampden County, Massachusetts, 
in 1811. He emigrated to California across 
the plains in 1849, coming through Mexico. 
They had a very hard trip and lost nearly all 
their stock and wagons, and several of the 
party died from cholera. He followed min- 
ing about three years, and then ranching in 
San Joaquin Valley. In 1854 he returned 
East, overland, and brought out some very 
fine mares, and for thirty-five years he was 
engaged in stock-raising and fanning. He 
raised the William H. Seward, the celebrated 
ten-mile trotting horse. In 1880, after 
eighteen years of litigation, he lost his ranch 
through the location of boundary lines, and 
lias since lived with his daughter at Santa 



Maria. Though seventy-nine years of age 
Mr. Clements is still active and vigorous. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sedgwick have three children 
living: the two eldest are married and one 
lives at home, and they have three buried in 
Stockton. He is a member of Centennial 
Lodge, No. 38, K. of P., and of the A. O. U. 
W., at Stockton, San Joaquin County, Cali- 
fornia. 



-,-£-,. 



3«f*f^. 

J. BROUGHTON, Sheriff of Santa 
Barbara County, was born in County 
* Galway, Ireland, -September 19, 1847. 
He came to Santa Barbara in the month of 
May, 1867. He had followed a seafaring 
life from the time he was a boy of thirteen 
years. His father, Coleman R. Broughton, 
was a sea captain, as were al! of his father's 
brothers. After young Broughton landed in 
Santa Barbara he went upon a ranch in the 
Santa Ynez Valley, and later engaged in 
merchandising in Las Cruces. He was 
elected Sheriff of Santa Barbara County, in 
the fall of 1882, and still holds that impor- 
tant office. He has proven one of the most 
efficient and popular officers this county has 
ever had. 




C. SHOW, one of the most enter- 
prising men of Santa Barbara, was 
a born and brought up in California, 
and has been in Santa Barbara twenty-two 
years, and in business there five years, carry- 
intr a general line of groceries, crocked, 
trlassware, hay, grain and feed. His parents, 
Major Daniel and Eliza J. (Harvey) Show, 
were natives of Virginia, and had only two 
children, namely, the subject of this sketch 
and Ella, who married W. L. Hunt; the latter 



492 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBfSPO 



is in business with Mr. Show. Daniel Show 
was a farmer by occupation, a grain-raiser 
principally; came to the Pacific coast in 1850, 
locating in Washington Territory, and shortly 
afterward he went to Petal uina, Sonoma 
County, California. He died at Santa Bar- 
bara in October, 1874. Mr. Show's mother 
is still living, in Santa Barbara, on Gutierrez 
or Railroad street. Mr. Show is a strict 
business man, taking no part in politics, and 
is an exemplary citizen. 

fS. COLLINS. — In passing along the 
LOO 
Main street of San Buenaventura, in 
a the centre of the business portion, the 
eye of the observer is attracted by one of the 
most substantial and imposing blocks in the 
city. That is the banking house of William 
Collins & Sons. A little further up the 
street another fine building starts up 
promply among the rest: that is the Masonic 
Block, built by the same firm. Mr. J. S 
Collins is the manager and cashier of the 
bank, and is a reserved, considerate but pleas- 
ing business man, of excellent business habits 
and large executive ability. He was born in 
Perthshire, Scotland, May 21, 1847, of 
Scotch parentage, who came to the United 
States, settling in Illinois upon land which 
they owned and cultivated until 1864, when 
they came overland to California and settled 
in Oakland. In 1869 they purchased a tract 
in Ventura County and were here four years 
In 1874 Mr. J. S. Collins graduated at the 
State University near Oakland and came to 
San Buenaventura, engaging in the lumber 
business as a member of the firm of Saxby & 
Collins. In 1885 Mr. Saxby died and Mr. 
Collins went into the Bank of Ventura, where 
he was a stockholder, to learn the business of 
banking, and for a year and a half occupied 



the position of teller and director. Having 
the capital, and seeing an opening for an- 
other bank, the Bank of William Collins & 
Sons was established, with a paid-up capital 
of $100,000 all owned by themselves: William 
Collins, President; D. E. Collins, Vice-Presi- 
dent and J. S. Collins, Cashier. From the 
very start the business was large, and now 
they do the largest banking business in the 
county. Their farm they sold for $100,000. 
The subject of this sketch is highly spoken of 
by his fellow-citizens as a liberal gentleman. 
When asked for money, for town or church 
improvements, he shows his interest to the 
city by the way in which he <• puts his hands 
into his pocket." Scotland has furnished 
many a scion to be grafted upon the United 
States tree, and it is a vigorous growth in the 
California climate; nor is it a bad tree tor 
the country. Mr. Collins is also a Master 
Mason, belonging to both the chapter and 
commandery. He is President of the Board 
of Trustees of the city, is a deacon and the 
treasurer of the Presbyterian Church of San 
Buneaventura, being a faithful and efficient 
worker for the upbuilding of Christianity. 

He was married in 1877 to Miss Belle 
G-erry, daughter of Waite Gerry, and a 
native of the State of New York. They have 
one daughter, named Bella Walker, and born 
in Oakland, this State. Mrs. Collins is also 
a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

* c *" , " + gf' 1**1 *~&+**°' 

EORGE PARPJSH TEBBETTS was 

born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, 
October 26, 1827. His father, Dr. 
Nathan C. Tebbetts, was a well-known phy- 
sician of the same place, and also a native of 
New Hampshire. His mother was the niece 
of Hon. William Badger, a former Governor 
of the State. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



493 



The subject of this sketch was educated at 
Gilmanton Academy, and afterward studied 
medicine with Dr. Nahum Wight, a noted 
physician of Gilmanton, intending to adopt 
his father's profession. But in 1849 the 
California gold fever was at its height. ' Mr. 
Tebbetts, with many other young and adven- 
turous spirits of staid New England, caught 
the infection. Breaking off his medical studies 
at the end of the second year's course, he 8et 
sail from Boston harbor on March 1, 1849, 
on board the schooner Edwin. After a 
stormy voyage of eight days and a half they 
reached Chagres, and found the Isthmus alive 
with pilgrims oti their way to El Doi'ado. 
Means of transportation were limited — the 
accommodations for those in transit noto- 
riously insufficient. The Edwin's passengers 
were forced to remain in Panama until May 
18, when the steamer Panama, which had 
rounded the Horn, put into port for coal and 
passengers. Mr. Tebbetts, with one of his 
compagnons de voyage, managed to secure 
a passage. The Panama made the Golden 
Gate on June 4, 1849. 

From San Francisco Mr. Tebbetts first 
went to the mining regions on the middle 
fork of the American River. He delved for 
gold with varying success, but in a few 
months returned to San Francisco, and on 
November 10 sailed fur San Diego, on the 
brig Fremont. In San Diego he opened a 
store of general merchandise. In 1851 he 
was elected a member of the City Council 
and President of the Board. For several 
months he acted as Mayor of San Diego. In 
October, 1851, he was elected delegate to the 
convention called at Santa Barbara to arrange 
for the division of the State of California. 
This convention took the first steps toward 
the division of the State. Its work has not 
yet been completed. In this same year, 1851, 
there was an Indian outbreak which caused 



much alarm. San Diego was declared under 
martial law. The tribes in revolt were the 
Yumas, Agua Calientes and Tulares. Mr. 
Tebbetts was chosen as a lietenant of a com- 
pany of cavalry, and was one of the thirty- 
one who volunteered to go to the mountains 
in search of the Indians, who were reported 
to be well armed and 1,500 strong. Major 
Fitzgerald, the com mandante, had called for 
volunteers. These thirty-one responded. 
They marched away to the mountains, eighty 
or ninety miles distant, met and routed the 
enemy, capturing a renegade American called 
Bill Marshall, and a Mexican adherent. An- 
tonio, the chief of the revolted tribes, was 
taken by the United States troops, who fol- 
lowed closely after the volunteer corps. 
Antonio was treated to a court martial, and 
shot in San Diego. The other prisoners 
were hung, when the troops returned, after 
two months of actual service. 

Mr. Tebbetts was married in 1854. Of 
that marriage but two daughters now sur- 
vive. The eldest, Frances Stella, is the wife 
of J. Ben Burton, only son of the late Don 
Luis Burton. The youngest, Mary Virginia 
Del Reyes, is the wife of Frank C. Prescott, 
of Los Angeles. 

Mr. Tebbetts was married for the second 
time to Miss Mary Jones, of Herefordshire, 
England, in February, 1887, by whom he 
has two children, Nathan Anthony and Mar- 
jorie Elizabeth. He removed to Santa Bar- 
bara in 1805. 

While in San Diego, Lieutenant Derby, 
the celebrated '-John Phoenix," was often a 
guest at Mr. Tebbetts' residence, and wrote 
there some of his most amusing articles. 
These papers have been carefully preserved, 
as well as many others relating to the 
early history of California. Indeed, he 
had, perhaps, the most valuable collection 
of papers and documents to bo found in 



491 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Southern Calfbrnia. lie has always taken 
a deep interest in politics, but lias never 
sought office from any party. In 1853 
President Pierce offered him the consul- 
ship at Acapulco, which he respectfully 
declined. In 1883, having had previously 
some experience in journalism as business 
manager of the Press, Mr. Tebbetts con- 
cluded to start a daily newspaper, the present 
Daily Independent, of Santa Barbara, on a 
wholly independent and non-partisan basis. 
It has been successful in the highest degree. 
He is one of the executive committee of the 
Southern California Editorial Association, a 
member of the Society of California Pioneers, 
secretary of the Association of Pioneers of 
Santa Barbara County, and has recently been 
elected a Director of the World's Fair at 
Chicago, in 1893. 



>*-^ 



•1Kfl ILLIAM A " STREETER > ° ne of the 

"fufflfl °ldest an d m ost honored citizens of 
l^Sl^n Santa Barbara, was born in Great 
Sodus, New York, July 30, 1811. When he 
was three months old his father, Nathaniel 
Streeter, died, and some two months after- 
ward his mother and family moved to 
Auburn, in that State, where he lived until 
he reached the age of twenty-eight years. 
Being naturally a mechanic, he at one time 
contrived to build a steam engine. He be- 
came skilled in general mechanics in Auburn. 
On account of failing health he went to Peru, 
South America, in the spring of 1842, and 
a year afterward he came to California, land- 
ing in Monterey, May 10, 1843, spending 
about a year in the vicinity of San Francisco. 
Finding that the climate there did not sgree 
with him he came down to Santa Barbara 
with the expectation of returning to Peru, 
but as the only opportunity of passage was 



on a whaling ship, and as he liked the cli- 
mate here, he concluded to remain. He 
practiced medicine for four years here and 
never lost a patient, although he had an ex- 
tensive patronage among the ranchers in the 
surrounding country. During that time El 
Capitan de la Guerra was his best friend. 
The kindness of the old man was beyond ex- 
pression. If Mr. Streeter did not reach his 
house every morning by nine o'clock the 
Captain would send one of his sons to inquire 
whether he was sick or what the occasion was 
of his absence, and on his arrival the first 
question every morning was: "Who is sick; 
does he need anything?" On being informed 
of his necessities he would hand Mr. Streeter 
the key to the store-room, authorizing him to 
take to the needy person whatever he thought 
necessary, and many times he would hand 
him one, two or three dollars, and in some 
cases as much as twenty dollars for the needy 
and on being asked who Mr. Streeter should 
say had sent it, his reply always was, " A 
friend." He always refused to send his 
name along with the donation. 

As other physicians came in Mr. Streeter 
returned to his favorite mechanical pursuits. 
In 1849 he was in Stockton engaged in mer- 
chandising, in partnership; next he was in 
Ventura, in various pursuits, for a year; for 
nine years he was agent for steamers before a 
wharf was built and when all the passengers 
were landed in surf boats. In 1873-'74 he 
began to make inside decorations his princi- 
pal business, including graining, painting, 
upholstering, etc. Since 1844 he has been a 
constant resident of Santa Barbara, although 
business called him away most of the time 
between 1849 and 1855. Since 1874 he has 
made general repairing a specialty. 

Under Lincoln's administration he was In- 
spector of Customs three years; was also 
Justice of the Peace of the town (before it 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



405 



was a city) about three years; Under Sheriff 
in 1861-'62, and he has held other local 
offices. His office of Under-Sheriff he re- 
signed in favor of his wife's brother-in-law, 
George Stone, who had just arrived 

Mr. Streeter was first married in 1832, in 
Auburn, New York, to Miss Hannah Day, 
who afterward died in Saratoga, leaving two 
children, two of her children having died. 
For his present wife Mr. Streeter married 
Josefa Petra Valdez, daughter of Ramon 
Valdez, and a native of Santa Barbara. Her 
mother is of the Ortega family. In this 
family are now five sons and three daughters. 
One son, who is married, is now employed 
in Hunt & Hosmer's grocery in Santa 
Barbara; another son, unmarried, is engaged 
in Magnire's dry-goods house; the eldest 
daughter is married to Charles Freeman, the 
son of Dr. Freeman; the second daughter is 
now Mrs. William B. Hosmer, who is in the 
grocery business here; the youngest daugh- 
ter is attending business college in that city; 
the youngest son is now on the Island of 
Santa Catalina with his brother-in-law. The 
eldest son, a bricklayer by trade and an ex- 
cellent workman, has for the last seven or 
eight years been in Mexico or Arizona. The 
second son is married, lives in Oakland, a 
printer by trade, and works in the office of 
the San Francisco Chronicle. 




II. REILLY, a native son of the 
Golden "West, and the youngest 
i*-305?D * Sheriff in the State, was born in 
Yuba County, California, June 15, 1861. 
His father, M. J. Reilly, a native of New 
York, came to California in 1849. His 
mother, whose maiden name was E. J. Linn, is 
a native of Illinois. M. J. Reilly, after a resi- 
dence here of only two years, died, in 187(5. 



in San Buenaventura. W. H. Reilly, the sub- 
ject of this notice, was the eldest of the 
children, was educated in the public schools 
of San Francisco and Ventura, completing a 
course in a business college. April 10, 1889, 
he married Miss Mae Beck, a daughter of 
Hon. Thomas Beck, who was Secretary of 
State of California. In November, 1888, 
Mr. Reilly was elected Sheriff of Ventura 
County, on the Republican ticket, by a ma- 
jority of 352, which was far ahead of his 
ticket. Not long after he assumed the office 
to which he had been elected a circumstance 
occurred which demonstrated that the county 
did not make a mistake in his election. At 
noon, on April 23, 1889, the desperado James 
McCarthy entered the bank of William Collins 
& Sons, and, leveling his pistol at the clerk, 
ordered him to hand out the money. The 
clerk instantly dropped below the counter 
and ran out the back way. The robber 
seized what money he could get quickly, 
amounting to $4,000, and was making his 
escape when he had a horse to mount. Mr. 
Reilly heard the alarm, thought it was a 
fight, rushed into the street and saw the 
robber, who turned when the sheriff was 
within ten feet of him and snapped a 
forty-four caliber Colt's revolver at him. 
Unfortunately, the sheriff was unarmed, 
but had the presence of mind to rush into a 
hardware store, seize a shot-gun and load it, 
and succeeded in overhauling McCarthy, made 
him surrender, took his money from him and 
safely landed him in jail, where he was safely 
kept until he was trie! and sentenced to 
State's prison for eight years. That was in- 
deed an act of courage and promptness wor- 
thy of any officer, no matter how skillful. 
The sheriff of a California county is also tax 
collector. The total taxes collected by Mr. 
Reilly in 1889 were about $159,000. 'lie is 
a man of character and marked ability, and 



49G 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



is destined to be successful in his under- 
takings. 

Mr. Reilly belongs to the 1. O. O. F., K. 
of P., A. L. of H., and N. S. G. W., of the 
last of which he was one of the organizers 
and a charter member. 



** "' in* i * ' I ■"—j* 1 '— ° 



fEEDINANDO CHIESA was born in 
Parma, Italy, June 16, 1855. He re- 
ceived a good education, attending an 
excellent school for six years. At the age of 
twenty he enlisted in the military service and 
for four years stood ready for the call to arms. 
In 1879 he came to America and at once located 
in the city of San Luis Obispo, a resident of 
which he has been ever since. Mr. Chiesa 
at once identified himself with the business 
interests of San Luis Obispo. He first en- 
tered the store of G. R. Maggi, one of his 
countrymen, and clerked in that establish- 
ment for two years. He next worked on 
a ranch six months. Returning to the city, 
he went into the store of J. Dughi, as clerk; 
shortly afterward, in 1885, a co-partnership 
was formed with Mr. Dughi, and up to the 
present time Mr. Chiesa has controlled a 
half interest in the business. 

Mr. Chiesa was married April 5, 1885, to 
Maggie Angellini. To them have been born 
four children, two of whom are now livino-. 
He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and also 
of the Italian Society, being second vice- 
president in the latter organization. 



fAYID SMITH MILLER was born in 
Indiana, September 19, 1832. When 
eighteen years of age he came to the 
Western States to make his home. His first 
venture was in Oregon in the fall of 1850. 



In this locality he engaged in ranching and 
remained there until 1852, when he went to 
Santa Cruz, remaining there for six years. 
In 1858 he came to San Luis Obispo and has 
been variously occupied during his life in 
this county. He ran the coast line stage be- 
tween San Luis Obispo and Cambria from 
1868 to 1874; was Deputy Sheriff of the 
county for six years and a Deputy Assessor 
for one term. Of late years Mr. Miller has 
been engaged in the wood business, cutting 
and supplying large quantities of it for the 
market. His ranch adjoins the famous Santa 
Margarita ranch, and is excellent woodland 
property. Mr. Miller has been twice married 
and has a family of three children. 



(APTAIN WILLIAM S. MARIS, one 
of the early pioneers to California in 
1850 (the subject of this sketch), was 
born at New Hope, Pennsylvania, in 1822. 
His father was a large munufacturer of cot- 
ton and woolen yarns. In 1830 they moved 
to the island of Madeira, and for nine years 
carried on the wine business in buying and 
shipping to foreign ports. They then re- 
turned to the United States and settled 
in Philadelphia, and in 1844 William S. 
Maris began his sea life by going to Madeira 
as supercargo, on board the bark Pauns of 
Philadelphia, Captain John Graham, to at- 
tend to the sale of the cargo of corn, lum 
ber, and flour, then with the bark in ballast 
they sailed to Gibralter on the Mediterranean 
Sea, returning with a cargo of corn to Ma- 
deira. The vessel then went to Rio Janeiro, 
South America, with 130 emigrants, and 
our subject then returned to Philadelphia. 
He went to New York and purchased for 
Captain Graham the United States Govern- 
ment brig Lawrence, which was carefully re- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



497 



fitted for merchant service and name changed 
to Don Juan. He then sailed ont with the 
brig to South America, and after two years 
of service and study he became master, and 
took charge of the vessel. He then took 
a cargo of general merchandise to the river 
Congo on the west coast of Africa, and re- 
turned in ballast to Rio Janeiro. He also 
made a trip to the east coast around the Cape 
of Good Hope. In 1850 the brig Olindo, 
from Bangor, Maine, was condemned at Rio 
Janeiro, and the cargo of general merchan- 
dise, house frames and lumber was reshipped 
in the schooner Mary Pheby, W. S. Maris 
master, and he came to California. Selling his 
vessel at San Francisco he bought a one- 
third interest in the brig John Andrews, and 
started on a trading expedition down the 
coast, but stopping at Santa Barbara sold 
his interest and there remained. He has 
since resided in the county, mainly in this 
city. He was a clerk for Wells, Fargo & Co. 
many years, and has also been interested in 
the grocery business. He was first elected 
city tax collector, in April, 1882, and was re- 
elected in 1884-'86, 1888 and 1890. 

Captain Maris was married in Santa Bar- 
bara, in June, 1855, to Miss Dolores Chap- 
man, a native of California. They have five 
children: Isabelle, Anita, Sarah, William 
and Josephine, all living in Santa Barbara. 

Wf^§ F. JOHNSTON, a prominent rancher 
' 1/ \'|| a "d stock-raiser of Santa Maria, was 
r^poj born near Jefferson City, Missouri, 
April 4, 1836. His father, George K. John- 
ston, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated 
in boyhood to Kentucky. At the age of 
twenty-one years he was married at Monti - 
cello to Miss Nancy Jane Upton, and soon 
after their marriage they removed to Mis- 



souri. The subject of this sketch lived at 
home until manhood, acquiring meantime a 
common-school and academic education, and 
four years thereafter he spent in teaching 
district schools. In the winter of 1859, be- 
coming imbued with the spirit of gold- 
mining, the excitement then existing in the 
Bike's Peak region, about the 30th of March 
he started for the mines, and arrived at the 
mouth of Cherry Creek, near where the city 
of Denver now stands. After prospecting 
unsuccessfully for three weeks, he decided to 
go on to California, and with a friend he 
struck out over the Cheyenne trail for Salt 
Lake City, thence on to the head of the 
Humboldt River, across the Humboldt desert 
to Carson River, and across the Sierras to 
Hangtown and Sacramento, arriving Septem- 
ber 13. After spending a few months in 
Yolo County, he taught school one term in 
Sonoma County, near Mark West Creek. He 
then went to the Washoe mines in Nevada, 
where, with many hardships and privations 
in its mountain mining towns, he lived for 
about twelve years, but, never forgetting 
the beautiful Santa Rosa Valley, and one of 
its more beautiful inhabitants, in October, 
1865, he returned there and was married to 
Miss Mary M. McCorkle, then a teacher in 
one of its schools, hi the fall of 1872 he 
left Nevada and came to Guadaloupe, and 
since that time has been extensively engaged 
in grain-farming and stock-raising in the 
Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys, with 
varied success. Mr. Johnston has worked 
long and hard to make improvements in the 
valley, and his beautiful ranch of 900 acres 
near Lake View depot, with its thirty-acre 
orchard and other substantial improvements, 
is an ornament to the locality. He has also 
an eighty-acre tract near town, and some 
town property. He owns the Aliso Rancho 
of 9,000 acres on the Santa Maria River, 



498 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



where he has 300 head of cattle and 225 
horses, and where he breeds both trotting 
and work horses. He owns the stallions Ben 
Wade and Sultan, the latter a Norman horse 
weighing 1,600 pounds. Mr. Johnston has 
for many years farmed from 1,000 to 2,000 
acres. He has never been an aspirant to 
office. They have five children living, four 
sous and one daughter. 

— .—MfHuHK- — 

D. BARN AED, one of the best known 
pioneers of Ventura, was born in Calais, 
*° Maine, December 12, 1830. His father, 
W. K. Barnard, was a native of Massachu- 
setts, and their ancestors were from England. 
His mother, whose name before marriage was 
Nancy Denny, was born in Worcester, Massa- 
chusetts. Her ancestors came to that State 
during its early settlement. Her father, 
Daniel Denny, was one of the posterity of 
John Denny, of Suffolk, England, who lived 
there in 1439. A picture of the old English 
home of 450 years ago is still preserved in 
the family, and there is also in their posses- 
sion a complete genealogy of the family from 
1439 to the present time. Branches of this 
family have established themselves in all the 
States of the Union. In Mr. Barnard's 
father's family were six children, all sons, he 
being the eldest. He was bronght up and 
educated in Maine, Vermont and Massachu- 
setts, completing his education in New 
Hampshire. He began business for himself 
as a merchant. In 1852 he came to Oregon 
and was engaged in general merchandising 
in Corvallis until 1859; he traveled -for two 
or three years, and in 1868 came to Ventura, 
when that town was just starting, the Ameri- 
can residents there being Messrs. Chaffee, 
Leach, Ayers, Grimes, Simpson and the 
Hobsons. Mr. Barnard engaged in the lum- 



ber business, and soon purchased a home 
place of thirty acres about a mile up the 
avenue; and he has also been engaged in 
real estate. His home place now comprises 
125 acres, beautifully cultivated, and artist- 
tically arranged with ornamental trees, 
hedges, etc. He has 3,000 walnut trees just 
commencing to bear fruit; has twenty three 
kinds of fruit altogether. He has also two 
or three other farms in the valley. He has 
been a very busy man, accomplishing much 
in the improvement of his ranches and of 
the locality generally. Such industry and 
such faith in the country has had its ample 
return. Mr. Barnard has never joined any 
society, is not a politician, but is a Republi- 
can. His parents are Unitarians. 

In 1861 he married Miss Sarah E. Leh- 
man, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and 
of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. They have 
six sons and one daughter, all natives of the 
Golden West: Frank E., Edwin L., Austin 
D., Charles V., John C. and Mary E., all at 
home with their parents. 

tot " fc *^~ rti S > *S 4> -^^ " * * * 




hARVIN STEWARD, a prominent 
citizen of Ventura, was born near 
§^^" Pittsbnrg, Pennsylvania, December 
29, 1828. His father, Marion Steward, was 
a native of the State of Connecticut, and was 
of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Steward's mother, 
Sarah A. (Dart)Steward, was of English parent- 
age. They had a family of twelve children, 
and most of them are now living. His 
father removed to New York, and from there 
to Ohio, where he received his education in 
the public schools. He engaged in the busi- 
ness of milling and distilling until 1850, when 
he removed to Quincy, Illinois, and engaged 
in business there for six years. In 1856 he 
removed to Hannibal, Missouri, and engaged 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



40!) 



in the flouring- mill business; he then went 
opposite Hannibal, and built a mill and dis- 
tillery, and during the year 1863 bis revenue 
tax was $18,000, the tax being twenty cents 
per gallon. He came to Marysville, Cali- 
fornia, and engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, and also bought the Oregon House 
and ranch, and continued in business there 
until 1868, when he sold out and went back 
to the Atlantic States, and also to Texas. 
After remaining away five months he returned 
and bought the Oregon House and ranch back, 
and after two years sold it, and went to Ban- 
gor, Butte County and engaged in mercantile 
business and stock-raising. He also bought 
a ranch on the Honcut, Yuba County, and in 
1875 came to Ventura. He first settled near 
Santa Paula, buying 150 acres of land and im- 
proving it, and also building a nice house. 
He bought the property for $36 per acre; 
and sold it for $100 per acre; it has since 
been sold for $200 an acre. After selling 
his land Mr. Steward came to Sonoma County 
and engaged in the mercantile business, 
and in a year and a half sold out and re- 
turned to Ventura, engaging in farming and 
fruit-raising near Santa Paula. This property 
he traded for land in Ventura, and now 
resides in a two-story residence of his own 
building on Ventura avenue; he retains the 
town property in Ventura, which he rents. 
He spent one year in Grass Valley for his 
health, and while there built a nice house. 
He has been only two years in his home on 
Ventura avenue, but the place is a fine one, 
with a nice hedge, beautiful flowers and orna- 
mental trees and shrubs in profusion, — bow- 
ing what can be done in a short time in this 
delightful country and climate. 

When Mr. Steward was nineteen years of 
age the Mexican war began, and he enlisted 
in Company C, Fifteenth United States In- 
fantry, and served through the struggle. lie 



was sent to re-enforce General Scott at Vera 
Cruz, and was in all the fights until the city 
of Mexico was taken. In taking the city he 
received a musket shot in his right foot, for 
which he receives a pension. He has been 
Postmaster twice. In his political views he 
is a Democrat, but always voted for the best 
man. Mr. Steward is not an old, worn-out 
looking man, notwithstanding he is a veteran 
of the Mexican war, and has been active so 
long. 

Mr. Steward was married in 1852 in 
Quincy, Illinois, to Miss Sarah A. Abner, a 
native of Illinois. They have six children 
living: Alice D., the wife of Mr. J. Brown, of 
Tuba County; Rosanna C, at home with her 
parents; Charles Richard, a book-keeper in a 
wholesale house in San Francisco; Minnie 
D., wife of Mr. Faulkenstein, and residing in 
Ventura; Lora May and Mattie M., both at 
home with their parents. In 1883 Mrs. 
Steward died, and Mr. Steward has since mar- 
ried Mrs. Eliza McNett, of Quincy, Illinois. 
He was made a Master Mason in 1850 in 
Springfield. 



i M. HOIT, present Postmaster of Santa 
Barbara, apppointed under President 
° Harrison, was born in New York city, 
and after passing his boyhood days he re- 
moved with his parents to Virginia, where 
hia father followed general farming. Our sub- 
ject enlisted at Parkersburg, West Virginia, 
July, 1862, in the Fourteenth West Virginia 
Infantry, Colonel D. D. Johnson in com- 
mand; Captain, George W. Taggart. The 
subject of this sketch was commissioned as 
Orderly Sergeant, and served in the depart- 
in ena of West Virginia, and in General 
Crook's command, attached to the Eighth 
i Army Corps. He served from July, 1862, 



500 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



to May, 1864, when he was wounded at 
Floyd Mountain, Greenbrier County, Vir- 
ginia.. He was then ranked as Second Lieu- 
tenant, having been promoted for merit and 
bravery on the field. His service was largely 
on the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 
in skirmishing with guerrillas and keeping 
open communication over lines of the road. 
He was also in General Crook's raid toward 
Lynchburg, in destroying Confederate stores 
and supplies. They were met in force at 
Floyd Mountain by Breckinridge, and won 
the fight, but there Mr. Hoit was wounded 
and tahen from the field. He was fifteen days 
en route to Gallipolis, Ohio, the nearest hos- 
pital, and arrived more dead than alive with 
lung fever. He was there six months, and 
was honorably discharged in January, 1865, 
being about one year in recovering his health, 
and is still lame from the effects of the wound, 

Mr. Hoit was elected Becorder of Wood 
County, West Virginia, in the fall of 1866 
and re-elected in 1868. 

He was married at Parkersburg, West 
Virginia, to Miss Ella W. Saunders; they 
have three children living. Mr. Hoit, with 
his family, came to Santa Barbara in the fall 
of 1872, and his first impressions were any- 
thing but agreeable, taken as they were from 
the deck of the steamer, which was anchored 
three-fourths of a mile out, with a prospect of 
being well drenched from the surf in being 
landed from the ship's boats. The eye rested 
on the San Francisco Mission, and an oc- 
casional adobe, with here and there an unpre- 
tentious structure reared by a white settler. 
No trees except an occasional pepper, and no 
verdure anywhere. He now has great faith 
in the town. Its growth has been slow but 
steady, and its future is assured. 

He is a member and Past Post Commander 
of Starr King Post, No. 52, Department of 
California. He was appointed Postmaster 



for Santa Barbara in October, 1889, and con- 
firmed on December 20, 1889, for the term of 
four years. 



MRA.NK E. KELLOGG, of Goleta, is a 
native of Napa County, California, born 
^ at St. Helena, September 22, 1851. 
His father, F. E. Kellogg, was a farmer by 
occupation and a mechanic by trade, and 
located in Napa County, in 1846. Our sub- 
ject received his rudimentary education in 
the public schools of his native town, and 
subsequently graduated at the Illinois Col- 
lege, Jacksonville, in the class of 1872. 
After a year's sojourn at Hannibal, Missouri, 
he again came West, locating on his present 
place in 1877, where he engaged quite exten- 
sively in bean culture. In 1882 he engaged 
in the dairy business. His years of experi- 
ence has taught him that it pays best to keep 
graded Jersey stock, as they make the most 
profitable and satisfactory milch cows. The 
thoroughbred Jersey is best for quality but 
not for quantity of milk. The cross or com- 
promise between Jersey and other good milch 
cows of common stock produce the best grades 
for both quality and quantity. This is the 
principle, put into practice, upon which Mr. 
Kellogg has built up his excellent reputation 
as a successful dairyman. Of his fifty to 
sixty milch cows, nearly all are from one half 
to seven-eighths Jersey blood. The Goleta 
Dairy covers 150 acres of land, all under a 
high state of cultivation. Twenty-five acres 
of this tract is covered with soft-shell English 
walnut trees in bearing, and several acres are 
devoted to Pampas plumes for market. 

Mr. Kellogg's business enterprise is mani- 
fest in the recent erection of a first-class 
steam-power creamery on his place, which 
has become one of the most important insti- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



501 



tutions of its kind in Southern California. 
It was the first creamery erected in Santa 
Barbara County, using the milk from farms 
in the vicinity. He lias thus far confined 
himself to the manufacture of creamery but- 
ter, in which he now consumes the milk 
from about 150 cows, or about 2,000 pounds 
of milk, producing 150 pounds of butter daily, 
or one pound to each cow. It is put up in 
two-pound rolls (full weight). While, as 
Mr. Kellogg says, the business is in its 
infancy, he regards the result produced thus 
far as settling the question as to the prac- 
ticability of operating creameries in this 
county. All the milk from the surrounding 
farms is carefully tested as to its butter value, 
and every farmer is paid for his milk a price 
determined by this test and the selling price 
of butter. The creamery, producing a larger 
percentage of butter of a superior quality, 
which brings an advanced price, gives the 
farmer more for his milk product than he 
could realize for it in any other way, and also 
saves him the trouble of manufacture and 
marketing. The Goleta Creamery is fully 
equipped with a De Laval centrifugal cream 
separator. This is propelled at a speed of 
7,500 revolutions per minute, extracting the 
cream from the milk immediately after hav- 
ing been taken from the cow. The machine 
separates the cream from 100 gallons of milk 
per hour. The cream then goeo into a tem- 
pering vat for a given period, thence into a 
churn, with a capacity of 300 pounds of 
butter at one churning. This fine new 
machinery is operated with an upright bteam 
engine. The product of the creamery finds a 
ready market in Santa Barbara and other 
cities. Credit is due Mr. Kellogg for devel- 
oping so important an enterprise in a county 
where it was regarded as experimental. 

As a citizen and a business man Mr. Kel- 
logg holds an exalted position in the com- 



munity. He was Principal of Groleta public 
schools ten successive years, which fact is a 
strong evidence of his high standing as an 
educator. He takes an active interest in 
public affairs, but is in no sense a politician. 
Although yet a comparatively young man he 
has acquired a handsome property, a good 
business, a fine home, and is surrounded by 
hosts of friends, and, the greatest of all ble6S 
ings, a happy family. 



R. W. T. LUCAS, a prominent physician 
and surgeon of Santa Maria, was born 
H!f in Buchanan County, Missouri, March 
18, 1850. His father was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and emigrated to Montana in 1864, 
across the plains in prairie schooners, and our 
subject rode a mule. The company brought 
out about 1,000 head of cattle and several 
loads of freight. They stopped at Deer 
Lodge Valley, took up land and ran a butter 
and cheese dairy until 1868, when they sold 
out and came to California. They settled 
near Woodland, Yolo County, where they 
farmed for several years, but he has now 
retired, at the age of sixty-seven years. The 
subject of this sketch gained his education by 
hard work, making expenses as opportunity 
offered. lie attended the public schools, and 
then the Hesperian College at Woodland, 
and also taught in the public schools of Yolo 
and Solano counties. In 1874 he entered the 
Medical College of the Pacific at San Fran- 
cisco, at which he graduated in November, 
1876. He began practicing at Woodland, 
Yolo County, and also gave Lectures at the 
college on physiology and hygiene. He had 
charge of the County Hospital until 1879, 
when he came to Guadaloupe, Santa Barbara 
County, and practiced until June, 1884, when 



he came to Santa Maria. 



I Ie bought town 



502 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



property and also 160 acres of ranch property. 
He rents eighty acres., and is improving the 
remainder. He has already set out twenty- 
two acres in orchard and deciduous fruits; 
his present residence property he bought in 
1887. The Doctor has had an extensive and 
successful practice throughout the Santa 
Maria Valley; lie is a great reader, and has a 
large library. 

He was married in Sacramento County, 
September 9, 1879, to Miss Lula Maupin, of 
French descent. They have two children: 
Lee Forman and Orion Lulu. The Doctor is 
an enthusiastic Mason, and has served the 
lodge at Guadaloupe as Master for four years, 
and is still officiating. He has been a mem- 
ber of the Grand Lodge for several years, and 
belongs to San Luis Obispo Chapter, No. 62, 
R. A. M., and to San Luis Obispo Command- 
ery No. 27, and has the most extensive 
Masonic library in Southern California. He 
is an enthusiastic and consistent Democrat, 
and takes an active part in every campaign. 



■i*-$* 



iEORGE W. M'CABE, son of Anthony 
McCabe and Elizabeth E. (Waller) 
McCabe, was born in Nova Scotia, 
March 13, 1857. In 1869 the entire family, 
consisting of parents and four children, 
moved to San Francisco. In 1872 Mr. 
McCabe and his son George took charge of 
the Borax Lake property, in Lake County, — 
property which has since developed for its 
owners very valuable and important mines. 
Young McCabe decided to learn some trade, 
and selected that of blacksmithing, at which 
he worked in Napa, Napa County, for some 
time. In 1879 he moved to San Luis Obispo, 
where he continued work at his trade. In 
1882 he engaged in business for himself and 



is now established in one of the most im- 
portant shops of the city. 

In 1882 Mr. McCabe was married to Miss 
Steele. To them have been born three chil- 
dren. Mr. McCabe is a worthy and respected 
citizen. April 1, 1890, he was elected one 
of the City Trustees. He is a member of 
the order of Odd Fellows, in which organi- 
zation he has filled many high positions. He 
also belongs to the A. O. U. W., in which 
society he is an ardent worker. Mr. McCabe 
is active in politics, and is at present Chair- 
man of the .Republican County Convention. 



-S«-»f« 



fAMES R. WILLOUGHBY is another 
illustration of what energy and integrity 
will do for a man in California. He 
arrived in San Francisco in April, 1853, in 
pioneer times, even without a hat! The 
cause of this was: The steamship Independ- 
ence, on which he was a passenger, caught 
fire and burned until she sank; 200 of her 
passengers were lost, but Mr. Willonghby, 
with others, were cast upon an island, whence 
they were subsequently rescued by a whale- 
ship. He lost everything. He was at that 
time twenty two years of age, vigorous and 
ambitious, and he obtained work by the day 
and odd jobs until he was soon able to carry 
on a systematic business for himself, buying 
and selling hogs, bheep and cattle. His 
business increased apace upon his hands, 
while he also added the wholesale butchering 
trade, and for twenty-nine years supplied the 
meat markets of San Francisco. Thirty 
years ago, in traveling over the State to buy 
stock, he saw Ventura County, "fell in love" 
with it, and soon afterward bought a ranch of 
10,000 acres near Saticoy, and he still owns 
7,500 acres of that tract, on which he is rear- 
ing improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep 



Aft'Z? VENTURA COUNTIES. 



503 



and Logs. He keeps about 100 head of 
horses, — French Canadian, Clydesdale, Cleve- 
land Bay and Richmond, — some of which 
are as fast trotters as any in the world. He 
has 5,000 sheep, 1,000 hogs and 600 head of 
cattle, — Durham, Hereford, Devon and Hol- 
stein. He has fifteen hands in his constant 
employ; has several barns 100 feet long, and 
many other ranch buildings. He has a ranch 
of 180 acres of fine land near Saticoy, planted 
in walnut and other fruit trees, and furnished 
with a good house and barns. Although in 
business in Ventura for many years, he did 
not reside here until 1881, when he bought 
his present home, on the corner of Santa 
Clara and Ash streets. 

Mr. Willoughby was born in Canterbury, 
Connecticut, October 22, 1831. His father, 
William F. Willoughby, was a native of Con- 
necticut and died in 1849. His grandfather, 
Russell Willoughby, emigrated from Eng- 
land to Connecticut in early life. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Phebe Carey, was 
also a native of Connecticut. Their family 
consisted of twelve children, and the mother 
is still living, now aged eighty-four years. 
James R., the eldest son, had charge of the 
business, and the cares of the farm devolved 
upon him. 

He was married in 1802, to Miss Mary E. 
Holloway, a native of Tennessee, who died 
in 1881. The children by this marriage 
were: W. F., George D., Abby, Charles R. 
and James. The three first named are mar- 
ried and the others are with their father. 
(Jliarles R. has recently received an appoint- 
ment to attend the West Point Military Acad- 
emy. August 10, 1886, Mr. Willoughby 
was united in matrimony with Miss Rena 
Roberts, a daughter of William and Mary 
(Fowler) Roberts, from England, and she was 
born in Minnesota. They have one interest- 
ing little girl, Irene Sessions, born in San 



Buenaventura. The family attend the Pres- 
byterian Church and contribute to all the 
churches of the town. Mr. Willoughby is 
a member of the A. L. of H.; a Trustee of 
the city, and for four years has been chair- 
man of the Republican County Committee. 
The county has been Democratic, but it is 
now Republican; and although Mr. Will- 
oughby has been so influential, he has re- 
fused political preferment, desiring rather to 
attend to his private business. 



fAMES FRANKLIN WILLIAMS, de- 
ceased, was one of the leading members 
of the bar of Santa Barbara County. 
He was born in the town of Manlius, Onon- 
daga County, New York. May 14, 1818, the 
son of Nathan Williams, a dry-goods mer- 
chant. After attending the public schools of 
his native town, he attended Union College, 
Schenectady, New York, at which institution 
he graduated at eighteen years of age. He 
later took a thorough course in the study of 
law, paying for his own education. He mar- 
ried Miss Susan Sweet, July 28, 1845, and 
for three years traveled in the Southern 
States. He then came to California, in 1849, 
and spent some time in the mining regions, 
with headquarters at Sacramento city. In 
this he had average success, but he subse- 
quently took up the practice of his profession 
at Martinez, Contra Costa County. He was 
promptly recognized as a lawyer of ability, 
and was elected to the District Attorneyship 
of his county. He served one term as Su- 
perior Judge of Contra Costa County by ap- 
pointment. Mr. Williams remained there 
until the year 1867, when he took up his 
residence at Santa Barbara, and opened a law 
office. He was a popular Democrat, and 
several times chosen by his party for County 



501 



SANTA B Aft 8 ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Judge, which party was in the minority. He 
practiced law up to within two years of his 
death, which occurred August 2, 1876. He 
was the father of three children, one daugh- 
ter, now deceased, and two sons, one son 
dying in infancy; the other, Nathan Wallace, 
is a well-known and substantial merchant of 
Santa Barbara and a " native son." He was 
born at Martinez, California, November 18, 
1854, and graduated at Heald's Business 
College of San Francisco, in 1873. He 
learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, 
which he successfully followed for about ten 
years. He is now junior member of the 
popular grocery house of Hunt, Hosmer & 
Co., State street, Santa Barbara. 

He was married September 8, 1878, to 
Miss Jennie E. Orr. They have three chil- 
dren, two daughters and a son: Gasper 
Franklin, Eva B. and Gracie E. 

■°»-'-t^i^«-»l-»-§*i-i»« 

ffUDGE S. A. SHEPPAKD was born 
May 22, 1824, in the District of Co- 
lumbia. His ancestry on the paternal 
side were English and Scotch, and on his 
mother's side Irish and Scotch. His an- 
cestors were Colonial settlers of Virginia 
and Maryland. His father, a native of An- 
napolis, Maryland, in early days was a 
farmer, and afterward resided in Baltimore 
city and the District of Columbia, and owned 
both city and country property. Judge 
Sheppard completed his school life in a class- 
ical academy in Georgetown, District of 
Columbia; commenced to study law in 1844, 
in Cincinnati, in the law office of William 
T. Forrest, and removed to Baltimore in 
December of the same year, where he con- 
tinned his law studies and was admitted to 
the bar in the city of Baltimore, in January, 
1847. He practiced his profession there and 



in the United States courts in Washington 
city until February 3, 1849, when he started 
for California. He came around by way of 
Cape Horn, and landed in San Francisco 
September 9, and went to the mines with a 
party of seven friends who had come to the 
coast with him. They went to the Shasta 
Diggings, Redding's Bar, and after prospect- 
ing there for awhile they went to the Feather 
River, locating at BidwelPs Bar. Soon after 
the rains set in, the mines become inundated, 
and he, with others, returned to San Fran- 
cisco, where he opened a law office, December 
10, 1849. He soon had a paying practice, 
and he continued his profession there suc- 
cessfully ten years. He then removed with 
his family to Tulare County and opened an 
office at Visalia, and practiced law there 
seventeen years, namely, until April, 1876; 
and since that time he, with his family, has 
been a resident of San Buenaventura, engaged 
in the practice of law. In San Francisco he 
was Public Administrator; in Tulare County 
he was District Attorney two terms; was 
also Mayor of Yisalia; was appointed by 
Governor Haight Judge of the County 
Court to fill a vacancy, and was afterward 
elected to a full term. While residing in 
San Buenaventura he was elected County 
Judge of Ventura County, and since a mem- 
ber of the Board of Town Library and Pres- 
ident of the Board. Politically, he sympa- 
thizes with the old Jeflersonian Democratic 
principles. He was initiated in Washington 
Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., it being the first 
lodge organized in the United States. 

In 1848 Judge Sheppard married Miss 
Margaret L. Armstrong, a native of Balti- 
more and a daughter of James Armstrong, 
a wholesale leather merchant and manufact- 
urer of that city, and they have now living 
two sons and three daughters, viz.: Isabella, 
now the wife of George E. Stewart, of Nord- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



505 



hoff; Margaret, now Mrs. Horace Stevens, 
residing in Batavia, this State; Summerfield 
I)., residing at Hueneme, Ventura County; 
Thomas A., who is also there, in the drug 
business, and Annie R, the youngest, is at 
home. Mrs. Sheppard is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and the Judge's father 
was an Episcopalian. Judge Sheppard has 
built a nice home in the beautiful and health- 
ful village of Nordhoff, where, with his chil- 
dren near him, and also his many friends 
whom he has known so long, he will spend 
the evening of his long and eventful life in 
peace. 



-3nf* 



fR BENNETT, a rancher near Nordhoff, 
was born in Ireland, December 1, 1845 ; 
o the son of respectable Irish parents. 
In 1864, at the age of nineteen years, he set 
sail for American, landing at Quebec, June 
15 of that year. He had relatives there en- 
gaged in business, and for a time he was em- 
ployed by his cousin as supercargo. They 
bought provisions and clothing and took 
them to the coast of Labrador, bringing back 
a load of fish and oil. After three years 
thus engaged he went to Thurso on the Ot- 
tawa River, where for two years he clerked 
in a general merchandise store. In July, 
1869, he came to California and worked in a 
saw-mill a year in Mendocino County. In 
1870 he sent for his brother George and 
gave him a position in the mill. Starting 
out in search of easier and more profitable 
employment, he next went to Vallejo, where 
he was engaged in laying water pipes until 
he could accumulate a little money to go 
still further in search of better employment. 
Going to San Francisco he worked for a while 
on the wharf, unloading vessels, and then ol> 

33 



tained a situation in a wholesale dairy prod- 
uce store, conducted by T. H. Hatch & Co. 
Soon he secured a position there also for his 
brother George. Two years later he and his 
brother engaged in the dairy produce busi- 
ness for themselves in the California market, 
which they continue to the present time, sup- 
plying the elite O: San Francisco with '• Ben- 
nett's Celebrated Butter." 

While in the market, Mr. Bennett con- 
tracted catarrh, which extended to his bron- 
chial tubes, and he was compelled to seek a 
milder climate than San Francisco. Leaving 
the business there in charge of his brother, 
he started in search of health, traveling the 
whole length of California, from Sisson's to 
San Diego, and found the most desirable 
place for pulmonary complaints to be the 
Ojai Valley. Here he purchased sixty-one 
acres of land, on which he is now building a 
handsome residence. He is entering largely 
into fruit culture, having planted French 
prunes, almonds, olives and raisin grapes. 
The property is now in a flourishing con- 
dition, and is destined to become one of the 
most delightful homes on the coast. 

Mr. Bennett was married in 1878, to Miss 
Hatty Greeleese, a native of Thurso, Canada, 
and a daughter of William Greeleese. Mr. 
Bennett became acquainted with her while 
in Thurso ten years previous, and succeeded 
in persuading her to meet him in California. 
Upon her arrival, Mr. Bennett went to meet 
her, taking a minister with him, and they 
were married in Sacramento. They are the 
parents of four interesting childreu, the three 
eldest having been born in San Francisco, 
and the youngest in the Ojai Valley. Their 
names arc: Lillian, Stewart R. David S. and 
Anita. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are 
members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Ben- 
nett is independent in politics, but shares the 
views of the Republican party. He is a 



500 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



member of the I. 0. O. F., and also of the 
F. & A. M. 

MEHLMANN , one of the enterprising 
men of San Luis Obispo, was born in 
'* Berlin, Germany, June 28, 1846; 
studied agriculture and surveying; served 
one year in the Prussian army, in the war of 
1866; and in 1869 came to America. After 
stopping a t-hort time in Nevada, he came the 
game year to San Luis Obispo and engaged in 
diversified farming upon 320 acres of good 
land near town. This, however, he sold, and 
after working for several years at the car- 
penter's trade, and some time in a surveyor's 
office as draughtsman, he engaged in the sale 
of wines and liquors and in the bottling of 
lager beer, which he now prosecutes with 
success. 

He was married March 1, 1883, to Miss 
Lowenstein, who was born in Prussia in 1853, 
and they have five children. 



"*f**~«**fh 



KELLER, deceased, formerly a resident 
of San Luis Obispo, was born in Ba- 
varia, Germany, May 26, 1826, and at 
the age of seventeen left home and learned 
his trade, as brewer, following the business 
six years in a large establishment. In 1849 
he came to America and resided in Cincin- 
nati and Columbus, Ohio, for a time. In 
1852 he came overland with a large band of 
horses and cattle to California, being six 
months on his way, but losing the most of 
his stock by death on the route. He arrived 
at Sacramento, and then spent considerable 
time at the gold mines. In 1856 he returned 
to Germany, intending to stay ; but, not liking 
the prospects there, he came to America again 



the next year and located permanently in 
Newtown, El Dorado County, where he es- 
tablished a large brewery and was quite suc- 
cessful with that institution. 

In 1860 he returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and married Miss Minnie Wiegand. In 1870 
his brewery was destroyed by fire, and the 
next year he moved to Oakland and estab- 
lished himself there in the same business for 
a period of three or four years; then he re- 
sided about four years in Temescal, a north- 
western suburb of Oakland, where his resi- 
dence and grounds formed one of the chief 
attractions of the town. In 1879 he moved 
to San Luis Obispo, where he resided until 
his death, which occurred in 1882. He had 
eight children, all of whom are still living. 



W. NHTTALL.— The leading real-es- 
fflfc tate broker, formerly interested largely 
in our northern coast, is R. W. Nutt- 
tall, Esq. There is no better informed gen- 
tleman as to land values and the industry 
of our country in general, in California. He 
has a large extent of fruit, farm and grazing 
land to sell in small lots to suit purchasers. 



►>^ 



fjHOMAS NORTON, M. D., a leading 
k citizen of San Luis Obispo County, was 
J born in Roscommon County, Ireland, 
December 24, 1846, the son of Dr. Thomas 
Norton, who was an eminent physician in 
Ireland, and a graduate of Trinity College, 
Dublin, also of the Royal University of 
Edinburg. He died about 1860 in his an- 
tive country, after having spent about seven 
years in America. He had six sons and one 
daughter, of whom the subject of this sketch 
is the third child. 



AND VENTURA GJUNTIES. 



507 



Dr. Norton received a thorough education 
in Ireland before coming to Canada and the 
United States, arriving in San Luis Obispo 
in 1881, where he has since resided. 



P. HALL is one of the successful 
ranchers of Ventura County. His 
t father, William Hall, was a native of 
Berkshire, Massachusetts, and his grand- 
father, Parker Hall, was born in Rhode 
Island, and was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war. They were of English descent. 
Mr. Hall's mother, Sarah (Dyer) Hall, was 
born in West Troy, New York. Her father, 
William Dyer, was an early settler on the 
Hudson River, and used to run the first ferry 
across the river there. William Hall was 
twice married, and had eight children by the 
first wife and four by the second. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was the youngest child by 
the first marriage, and was born August 14, 
1833. His mother dying when he was a year 
and a half old, he was thus early in life 
bereft of her love and care, and when he was 
four years old he went to live with his aunt. 
Six years later she died, and he was then put 
on a farm to live until he was twenty-one 
years old, when he was to have a suit of 
clothes and $100. During that period he 
attended school a part of the time in the 
winter, and at other times he was enfacred in 
work on the farm. As he terms it himself, 
he was educated with the hoe and between 
the plow handles. He may be said to have 
educated himself. He then taught school in 
the winter and worked on the farm, by the 
month, in the summer. The usual price for 
farm work was $10 per month, but a 
part of the time he received $13, because 
he was considered a reliable hand. He 
received $15 per month for his first 



school, and taught ten terms. In the fall 
of 1856 he went to Iowa, and taught and 
worked until he was able to buy 115 acres of 
land. This he improved by building, etc., 
the whole costing him $3,300. After living 
there ten years, he sold the place for $6,200. 
He then removed to Red Oak, Montgomery 
County, Iowa, and bought 160 acres of land, 
unimproved, on which he erected buildings, 
residing there eight years. At that time it 
was considered one of the best improved 
farms in the township. 

Mr. Hall spent the year 1882 in Cali- 
fornia, for the benefit of his wife's health. 
The change of climate saved her life, and in 
1884 they sold out and came to Ventura and 
bought their present comfortable home and 
thirty acres of land. The house and grounds 
are pleasant and attractive and the locality is 
delightful. Mr. Hall has acquired such a 
habit of industry that he could not be happy 
unless engaged in some active employment. 
Since coining to this sunny land he has de- 
voted his time to the cultivation of fruit and 
vegetables, has been more especially interested 
in the production of beans, having raised 
from 1,600 to 2,200 pounds to the acre. The 
price for Lima beans, in 1890, is $4 per 
hundred pounds. 

October 19, 1859, the subject of this sketch 
was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Ann 
Ballon, a native of Essex County, New York. 
The Ballou family were Rhode Island people, 
their ancestors having settled there with 
Roger Williams, in 1645. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hall have two living children, Edward and 
Elmer E., both born in Farmersbnrg, Iowa. 
The older son resides in this valley, and the 
younger is now taking a scientific course of 
stud} in the university at Los Angeles. In 
Clayton, Iowa, Mr. Hall was elected Justice 
of the Peace, and served four years. He 1ms 
been a Republican ever since the organization 



508 



SANTA BARBARA, SA V LUIS OBISPO 



of that party. Both lie and his wife and sons 
are members of the Methodist Church. 



-*»§*$»-»£*f**-' 



fOHN and ALPHONSO A. WIGMORE, 
in 1875, purchased the Rancho del 
Puente, of 4,800 acres, situated near Los 
Alamos. The rancho was a part of the 
original Rancho de la Lagunade SanFrancisco, 
originally granted to Antonio Guitierrez. The 
ranch has been fenced and partitioned by the 
present owners, who have also developed the 
water, the source of which is obtained from 
a small laguna, and several large springs, 
which are now distributed by pipes about the 
ranch. The place was rented until 1889, but 
is now under the management of Alphonso 
A. Wigmore, and is being more highly im- 
proved and stocked with high grade Durham 
cattle, and a class of carefully selected mares, 
in view of breeding horses for draft pur- 
poses, from Percheron stock. They now have 
a large number of cattle and horses, but as 
the ranch affords fine grazing they propose 
keeping about 1,000 head. They are also 
experimenting with deciduous fruits, in view 
of setting out a large acreage, favoring also 
the English walnut, olive, grapes and figs. 
About 1,300 acres of the ranch is tillable, 
affording ample apportunity for the growing 
of all grain, hay and supplies. 

M. ARMSTRONG, the able Super- 
It intendent of the Public Schools 
of San Luis Obispo County, was 
born in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio, 
February 10, 1844, the son of John L. Arm- 
strong, who was born in the same county in 
1804. He was a miller and merchant by 
occupation, and a leading spirit in business, 




social and political circles where he lived. 
He was a Democrat in politics, but whenever 
before the people as a candidate for office his 
excellent reputation drew to him a large Re- 
publican support. He came West to Chari- 
ton, Lucas County, Iowa, in 1855, and 
engaged extensively in real-estate business, 
investing his money in large tracts of land. 
Later he took up his residence at Nebraska 
City, Nebraska, where he spent eight years. 
Subsequently he moved to San Luis Obispo, 
where he and his estimable wife are spending 
their declining years in retirement. 

The subject of this sketch opened his busi- 
ness career as a contractor and freighter on 
the great plains, engaging successively witli 
the United States Government and the West- 
ern Union Telegraph Company, who were 
then building the Western Union line through 
the Western States and Territories. He had 
acquired a fair education, and being amply 
qualified he accepted the principalship of the 
public schools of Astoria, Oregon, in 1864, 
continuing in that position two years. Mr. 
Armstrong then spent two years in the em- 
ploy of the Government as head Quarter- 
master's clerk, at Ihe headquarters of the 
Department of the Columbia, at Portland, 
Oregon. In 1868 he came to California and 
taught school in Monterey and San Luis 
Obispo counties, and for four years was 
principal of the public schools of San Luis 
Obispo city. He resigned this position, and 
in 1886 was elected to the superintendency 
of the county schools, where he served a four 
years' term. Mr. Armstrong attended the 
biennial session of the State convention of 
county superintendents of schools, and 
there took a prominent part in the amending 
and formulating the present excellent school 
code of laws, many of which were subse- 
quently adopted by the State Legislature. 
During his term of office the schools of his 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



509 



county have risen to a rank par excellence 
with any county schools in this State. Mr. 
Armstrong is a man of fine executive ability, 
a favorite with the educational class, and is 
justly proud of the excellent high standing 
his schools have obtained and the good repu- 
tation they have abroad. 

fj. ROBISON, one of the prominent 
ranchers of the beautiful Ojai Valley, 
^• j 9 was born in Bloomington, Indiana, 
July 22, 1838. His father, Andrew Robi- 
son, was born in Kentucky, July 4, 1800, re- 
moved to Indiana in 1826, bought a farm 
and there reared his family. He was a con- 
sistent member of the Church of Christ. 
His death occurred in 1872. Mr. Robison's 
mother, Nancy (Smoot) Robison, was a native 
of Kentucky, and the mother of four chil- 
dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is 
the youngest. Mr. Robison received his edu- 
cation in the public schools of his native 
State, and also in the Indiana State Univer- 
sity. He learned the blacksmith trade, re- 
moved to Ellis County, Texas, in 1859, and 
there opened a shop which he successfully 
conducted for twenty-six years. In 1882 he 
sought a milder climate, arrived m Los An- 
geles, purchased ninety-five acres of land at 
Azusa, which he improved by planting fruit 
trees and a vineyard, and also erecting build- 
ings, and resided there three years. At the 
end of that time he sold out and returned to 
Texas. A year later, however, he came back 
to California, and in May, 1886, came to his 
present locality in the Ojai Valley, and 
moved his family here in November of the 
same year. Mr. Robison is a very successful 
horticulturist, and is the owner of a fine fruit 
ranch of 115 acres; three acres are devoted 
to peach trees, six to apricots, sixteen to 



French prunes, two to pears and a variety of 
other fruit. Twelve acres are in almonds, 
two in olives, six in raisin grapes, and one in 
figs. All these Mr. Robison planted, and he 
has also erected a comfortable residence. He 
intends to prepare his fruit for market by 
drying it. The rest of his ranch is devoted 
to the cultivation of oats, wheat and barley. 

Mr. Robison was united in marriage, in 
1867, with Miss Laura Douglas, a native of 
Tennessee, and a daughter of N. L. Douglas, 
who was born in Charleston, South Carolina. 
Her grandfather, Jesse Douglas, came from 
Scotland. Her father was born in 1801, and 
was a soldier in the Seminole war, enlisting 
when he was seventeen years of age. During 
his residence in Texas he was elected to the 
office of Assessor and Collector. He died in 
1873. Mr: and Mrs. Robison have a family 
of six children, all natives of Texas, viz.: 
James M., Cynthia E. and Julia E. (twins), 
Annie, Marion, Ethel and Clara O. Both 
Mr. Robison and his wife are members of the 
Church of Christ. He is a Republican. 
Was a Southern man, but was for the Union. 
Through the force of circumstances he served 
in the Confederate army during the war. 
People who differ from him in political views 
give him credit for the honesty of his con- 
victions. 



►*-»£< 



fAMES EVANS, one of the early settlers 
and prominent pioneers and ranchers of 
Ventura, was born in Clarke County, 
Indiana, July 5, 1839. His father, Thomas 
Jefferson Evans, was a native of Kentucky. 
The ancestors of the family were Virginians 
of Scotch and English origin. Mr. Evans' 
mother, whose name before marriage was 
Catharine King, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and her parents were Pennsylvania 



510 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Dutch. Thus our subject has inherited an 
unusual degree of good quality. He was 
the third in order of birth of a family of 
five children. He received his first school- 
ing in Missouri; afterward, in 1844, his 
parents removed to Missouri, in 1852 to Ore- 
gon, and in 1859 to California, settling in 
Sonoma County, and he attended tchool in 
each of these States. In starting out in the 
world for himself, he first followed farming 
two years in Sonoma County, and then fol- 
lowed mining most of the time for four 
years in Idaho, made some money, but lost 
it; then he came to Salinas Valley in Mon- 
terey County and engaged in farming for 
two years; and finally, in 1869, his father 
came with his family to Ventura County, 
purchased 111 acres of land, and he (our 
subject) bought eighty acres, which he still 
owns. He has therefore been cultivating his 
present ranch for twenty years. He has 
raised corn, beans, barley and flax; but his 
principal crop at present is beans, on which 
he realizes $35 to $40 per acre. 

Mr. Evans has never joined any society or 
held office, but he has ever been a Union man 
and a Republican. He was married in Octo- 
ber, 1884, to Miss Osmosen,a native of Ger- 
many, and they have two children, Plasent 
and Hallie, both born in Ventura. 



(3 « . ff 



fOSEPH HAKPJS, of Lompoc, was born 
in the town of Suffolk, England, in De- 
cember, 1843. His father, Rev. George 
Harris, was a minister in the Baptist Church 
at Rishingles; he also carried on farming, 
and he has been a continuous renter of the 
same farm for forty-five years. He is still 
living and preaching, at the age of seventy- 
four years. Joseph lived at home until 1866, 
and carried on his father's farm of 300 acres, 



engaged in general farming. In 1866 he 
went to Flixton, and from the estate of Lord 
Waveney he rented 282 acres, where he car- 
ried on general farming and stock-raising. 
In 1871 he was married at Drinkstone, to 
Miss Kate Cooper, whose father was a renter 
of a farm which had been in the family con- 
tinuously for over 150 years. Joseph Har- 
ris, our subject, farmed at Flixton until 1877, 
when, on account of illness of his mother, he 
returned home and resided there until he 
brought his family to California, in 1884. 
He came direct to Lompoc, and rented eight- 
een acres in the San Miguelito Canon, where 
he built his home, planted two acres in fruit 
trees and started a market garden. They 
have one son, George, who was born Febru- 
ary 20, 1872. Mr. Harris is a strong ad- 
mirer of the freedom of the American people, 
and regrets that he did not earlier seek a home 
beneath our flag. 

[R. B. GUTIERREZ, Santa Barbara. 
The California pioneers were not all 
natives of our glorious Republic, as 
among the number whom we now find promi- 
nent among the residents of Santa Barbara, 
is the subject of this sketch, who was born at 
Santiago, Chili, in 1830. He was educated 
in private institutions of that place and also 
attended a course of lectures in pharmacy, as. 
his father being a druggist, he very naturally 
inclined to the same profession. During the 
gold excitement of 1849 he came north to 
California, landing at San Francisco, and for 
five years thereafter he followed mining very 
successfully in Placer, El Dorado and Cala- 
veras counties. He came to Santa Barbara in 
1855, and in connection with Dr. M. H. 
Biggs, started the first pioneer drug store in 
the town. Santa Barbara was then a small 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



511 



Spanish settlement, and the natives were en- 
gaged in the raising of cattle and sheep, mar- 
keting in San Francisco. Land was then 
worth almost nothing, city blocks then sell- 
ing as low as $5 per block, and acre at 10 
cents per acre, a radical difference from the 
boom of 1887, when the land on State street 
sold at $250 per foot. About 1872 Dr. Gut- 
ierrez was appointed School Trustee for the 
term of three years, and later served one term 
of two years as Coroner. He formerly owned 
much real estate, but sold too early to receive 
much benefit from the boom. He still owns 
1,000 acres at Carpenteria, which is farming 
and grazing land. He also has an interest 
in blocks corner of State and Ortega streets, 
where his drug store is situated, which he 
carries on in partnership with Dr. C. B. Bates. 
They carry a full line of drugs and chemicals. 
The Doctor was married in Santa Barbara, 
in 1857, to Miss Soledad Gonzales, a native of 
Santa Barbara. They have had twelve chil- 
dren, only six of whom survive. The Doctor 
is a member of the Society of California Pio- 
neers, composed only of men who came to 
the State in 1849, and though sixty years of 
age is still robust and well preserved. 



fS. HARKEY. — Among the well known 
pioneers of California we find the name 
* of J. S. Harkey. He was born in Ca- 
barrus County, North Carolina, October 27, 
1829. He was the son of Isaac Harkey, a 
resident of North Carolina for many years 
and afterward of Arkansas, from 1839 to 
1872, when his death occurred in that State. 
His mother, Cottin P. M. (Shinn) Harkey, 
was born and reared in North Carolina. The 
progenitors of the family on both sides were 
German, but long residents of America. The 
subject of this sketch was the fourth of a 



family of fifteen children, and was reared and 
educated in Arkansas. When he became of 
age he rented land from his father and en- 
gaged in farming for a time. He afterward 
went to school and studied law. A siege of 
typhoid fever at this time resulted in his 
abandoning the idea of engaging in the legal 
profession. After two or three years' farm- 
ing, he became a clerk in Norristown, on the 
Arkansas River, and eighteen months later 
bought out his brother's partner and engaged 
in business. Having met with losses in va- 
rious ways, in 1858 he closed out his inter- 
ests there, and, with his wife and son Thomas, 
then two years old, came to California. He 
left $1,500 due him, from which he never 
realized a cent. He arrived in San Francisco 
December 15, 1858, and the same evening 
left for Russian River, Sonoma County. He 
there lived on a rented farm eleven years, and 
was notout of the county during that time. In 
1869 he located in what was then Santa Bar- 
bara County, now Ventura, and bought a 
squatter's claim in Pleasant Valley, suppos- 
ing it to be Government land. When he ar- 
rived here he had, all told, property and 
money, about $1,500. He bought the grant 
tu get title to his land and gained his suit, 
but afterward lost everything. In 1872 his 
wife was taken sick with typhoid fever and 
died February 26, that year, and he was left 
with a family of helpless children, without 
means. He manfully overcame his troubles, 
and cared for his family without remarrying. 
In the fall of 1873 he was elected Justice of 
the Peace of Hueneme Township, serving two 
years. In the fall of 1875 he was elected 
County Assessor, and served four years. He 
is a Democrat, but was nominated by both 
parties. In the spring of 1877 he bought 
twenty acres of land where he now resides, 
at a cost of $70 per acre. He has planted 
fruit trees of different kinds on his place, but 



512 



SANTA BARBABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



his principal crop is corn and beans. The 
land produces from 1,800 to 2,400 pounds of 
beans to the acre, and they bring $2 and 
more per 100 pounds. Mr. Harkey has 
raised 4,600 pounds of shelled corn to the 
acre. He is farming adjoining lands. 

Mrs. Harkey's maiden name was Mary 
Ann Petray. She was a native of Arkansas. 
They were married in Arkansas and had a 
family of six children, three sons and three 
daughters, viz.: Thomas N., George W., 
William D., Ida May, Fanny and Laura Ann. 

Mr. Harkey is a man of his word, a strictly 
temperate man; and has been a Master Mason 
for thirty-seven years. 



fOSEPH H. SEATON, M.D., one of the 
most eminent physicians and estimable 
gentlemen in Southern California, was 
born in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana, 
July 29, 1836, the son of Myers and Eliza- 
beth (Dill) Seaton. The father was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and also a pioneer merchant 
of Centerville, where he located in 1834; the 
mother was also a native of Pennsylvania. 
They raised a family of six sons and two 
daughters. Joseph H. Seaton, the third child, 
left home at about eighteen years of age, 
going to Louisville, Kentiicky, where he took 
up the study of medicine, and graduated in 
the winter of 1856-'57. He was soon ten- 
dered and accepted the position of resident 
physician of the City Hospital at Louisville, 
which position he resigned in 1858 to go to 
Keokuk, Iowa, where his parents were then 
residing. He remained there until the break- 
ing out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted as 
Surgeon of the Twenty-first Missouri In- 
fantry, taking the rank of Major. Mr. Sea- 
ton served in the war from March, 1862, 
until its close in 1865. His regiment opened 



the battle of Shiloh, where they lost 180 men, 
and their division commander, General Pren- 
tice, was taken prisoner. Anything like a 
detailed account of the Doctor's experience 
during his years of active service in the war 
would form a thrilling narrative, and his serv- 
ices as an army surgeon cannot be over- 
estimated in value to his regiment and com- 
rades. 

At the close of the war Dr. Seaton returned 
to Keokuk, Iowa, and resumed the practice 
of his profession, continuing there until 1875, 
when he came to California. His residence 
in San Luis Obispo dates from 1877, and 
since his residence here he has enjoyed the 
full confidence of the best people of the entire 
community, as a citizen and physician. He 
makes a specialty of diseases of women and 
children. He is affable in his manner, 
domestic in his social tastes, and charitable 
where charity is desired. He is a charter 
member of Fred Steel Post, G. A. R., No. 70. 

Dr. Seaton was married in 1879, at Colusa, 
to Miss Josephine Blount, a native of Cali- 
fornia, and they have one son, Joseph, Jr. 
Besides other property Dr. Seaton owns one 
of the finest homes in the city of San Luis 
Obispo. 



,|EORGE W. COFFIN, who is one of 
Santa Barbara's representative citizens 
and descends from Quaker stock, and 
whose ancestors formerly lived on the Island 
of Nantucket. His grandfather left the Is- 
land in 1778 on account of the oppression of 
the English, and settled in Washington, 
Dutchess County, New York, where George 
W. was born in June, 1817. His father was 
a farmer, and as it is said, " As a twig is bent 
so the tree inclines," so it was that the early 
life of George W. was spent in tilling the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



513 



soil, and in the conducting of a farm on 
scientific principles. He lived at home until 
the age of twenty-two years, when he was 
married at Patterson, Putnam County, New 
York, to Miss Helen M. Howland, whose 
ancestors were from JSew Bedford, Massa- 
chusetts. He then settled at Amenia, New 
York, where for nineteen years he carried on 
farming on a farm of 108 acres. Devoting 
himself to the high cultivation of the soil, 
and the improving of stock, only keeping 
Ayrshire cattle, and South Down sheep, but 
gaining notoriety as a practical farmer. 
About 1856 he sold out his farm in- 
terests and went to Poughkeepsie, New 
York, where he followed a mercantile 
life. He then went to St. Paul in 1864, 
where he became interested in manufactur- 
ing, and then to St. Louis, where for four 
years he was connected witli the Atlantic & 
Pacific Railroad Company. In 1872 he 
came to Santa Barbara in the interests of that 
road. Returning to St. Louis in 1873 he 
severed his connection with the Atlantic & 
Pacific Railroad, and it) 1874 brought his 
family to Santa Barbara to take up permanent 
residence. For eight years thereafter he was 
connected with Colonel Hollister as private 
secretary. In 1882 he began the real-estate 
business, which he has since continued. In 
1884 he was elected Mayor and was re-elected 
in 1886. The first three years he drew no 
salary, but it went to a fund, called the 
Mayor and Common Council Fund, and was 
used in improving the city. Mr. Coffin was 
much interested in the sewering and paving 
of State street, which is one of the finest 
paved streets in California. 

Mr. Coffin, having lost his first wife, was 
re-married in Santa Barbara in 1886, to Miss 
Susan Liobinson, a native of Thomaston, 
Maine. Mr. Coffin has been quite a traveler, 
having crossed the continent fourteen times 



and by every route. He owns a large amount 
of property, and is now devoting himself to his 
own interests and in the settlement of certain 
prominent estates. 

" » ""%*? " ! ■ ■%'" . "» - 

H AMUEL T. MOORE was born in York- 
shire, England, in 1828. His father 
was a stone dealer, owning extensive 
quarries. Samuel T. learned the trade of 
stone-cutting and carving in his native place, 
serving an apprenticeship oi seven years, and 
becoming proficient in every kind of masonry 
He immigrated to the United States in 1867 
and settled in Minnesota. The weather, 
however, being too severe, he soon afterward 
located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where 
he worked six years. In 1873 he came to 
California. After spending about one year 
in Los Angeles, he came to Santa Barbara 
and arranged for permanent settlement. He 
soon set up his business on State street, and 
in 1881 established his present yard in East 
Santa Barbara near the cemetery, purchasing 
the corner lot and erecting his residence in 
1889. He keeps in stock Italian and Ver- 
mont marbles, and also all the popular 
granites of America and Scotland, and native 
stones. He has done much contract work in 
the city and was superintendent of the stone 
work for the residence of Mr. Dibble, also 
the J. F. Myer & Garland Block, and many 
others. For the past nine years he has been 
superintendent of the cemetery. Mr. Moore 
has thoroughly identified himself with the 
best interests of Santa Barbara, has been 
quite successful in business and owns much 
paying property. 

Mr. Moore's first wife, a native of Corn- 
wall, England, but a resident of Pennsylvania 
for a number of years, died in 1877, leaving 
two children. In 1878 he married Miss 



514 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Charlotte Dixon, a native of Belfast, Ireland, 
but a resident in the family of Dr. William 
Hyde for eleven years in Stonington, Con- 
necticut. 



iHILEMON GARCIA is a native of 
California, born February 10, 1849. 
His father, Francisco Garcia, was a 
native of San Francisco, and his grandfather 
Garcia, also named Francisco, was born in 
Mexico, and came to California in an early 
day. His mother, Maria Antonia (Paraulta) 
Garcia, was born in San Jose, this State. 
They had nine children, seven sons and two 
daughters, of whom six are now living. 
Philemon Garcia was educated in the Eng- 
lish schools, and at the early age of eleven 
years began to work for himself. He was 
first employed to ride race horses, riding 
Lang ford, Miami and Norfolk at the most 
noted races. They were then considered the 
best horses. He then worked on a ranch for 
II . Williams, and afterward on threshers for 
different parties, until he had a thresher of 
his own. Mr. Garcia, in company with A. 
B. Smith, was the first to start a cook house, 
in connection with threshing-machines, to 
board the hands. He came to Ventura 
County in 1873, and bought of Edward 
Borchard his present home place of twenty- 
six acres, paying $1 down, the purchase price 
of the property being $500. He paid it all 
the same year, and since then has built a 
house and barn and made other improve- 
ments, making his money by raising grain 
and threshing. He cleared a piece of land 
for Thomas R. Bard, and raised a crop on the 
same, for which he received $2,000. He is 
also clearing up other lands for Mr. Bard. 
Mr. Garcia runs a steam corn-sheller, with 
which he is doing a large business. 




In 1884 he was married to Miss Filetica 
Vasques, a native of California, and daughter 
of Francisco Vasques, also born in this State. 
They have three children, Filetica, Anneta 
and Philemon. Mrs. Garcia is a member of 
the Catholic Church. For serveral terms 
Mr. Garcia has served the public as School 
Trustee. Politically, he affiliates with the 
Republican party. 

— — — «§**M*-|»~~ 

D. COOK, one of the founders of 
Santa Maria, was born in Clermont 
County, Ohio, in 1832. His father 
was a carpenter and farmer. Our subject 
lived at home and learned the trade of car- 
penter with his father. In 1850 he went to 
Quincy, Illinois, where he clerked for a short 
time. In the spring of 1851 he started for 
California, with an ox team; he drove the 
team and cooked for his passage. They came 
by the old Carson route, and landed in Sono- 
ma County, in September, where he imme- 
diately began working at his trade, at $4 per 
day, and in two weeks became "boss" of the 
job, at $10 per day. He followed his trade 
two years, when he began fanning, and on 
October 12, 1854, he was married to Miss 
Genette Nelson. He continued farming un- 
til 1855, when he went East, by the Panama 
route, and passed the winter in St. Louis, 
where, in partnership with C. C. Money, 
they purchased 350 head of cattle and twenty 
horses. They drove them across the plains 
in three months, with very slight loss. They 
landed in Sonoma County, and there con- 
tinued in the cattle business until 1861, 
when on account of dry weather they lost 
heavily. The following five years Mr. Cook 
was variously employed at farming, carpen- 
tering, etc. In May, 1869, they started 
south, landing in Santa Maria Valley, which 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



515 



was then settled by only five American fami- 
lies, without a shrub or brush in sight. The 
location proved desirable, and he bought a 
claim of 160 acres, and built a two-story 
house, hauling his lumber from Port Har- 
ford. In October, having his house inclosed, 
he gave a dance, with which to raise funds to 
erect a school-house. He sent invitations far 
and near, and received for his commendable 
enterprise $305, and so was established the 
first school-house in Santa Maria, there now 
being twenty-eight school -houses in the same 
district. Farming in this valley was a failure 
for the first three years, the crops being 
eaten by gTasshoppers, and Mr. Cook made 
his living by killing deer and gathering wild 
honey, which he shipped to market. He 
worked at his trade when opportunity offered, 
and at farming until 1874, when he started a 
blacksmith shop, which he continued until 
1876. He then sold out and built his pres- 
ent livery stable, which business he has since 
continued. His land, covering the center of 
the town he had platted and laid out, in 
1874, when it was located; and of his original 
purchase he still owns 125 acres adjoining 
the town, and 40 acres south of the town. He 
still continues his livery business, keeping 
horses and carriages suitable for the trade. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cook have five children 
living, four daughters and one son. Mr. 
Cook was elected School Trustee for twelve 
years. 



S. CANON, Postmaster of San Luis 
Obispo, was born in Crawford 
• County, Ohio, September 24, 1837. 
After a thorough schooling in the public 
institutions of his native place, he commenced 
a course of study in Wittenberg College, 
Springfield, Ohio, with a view of graduating, 




but the Rebellion having broke out he turned 
his attention to the preservation of the Union. 
In 1861 (August 15) he enlisted in the Union 
army, under Colonel W. H. Gibson, in 
Company C, Forty-ninth Ohio Infantry, as a 
private, but was soon promoted to the rank 
of First Sergeant. In October, 1862, he was 
transferred to the veteran reserve corps (hav- 
ing been disabled while under fire at Battle 
Creek, Tennessee), and was appointed Ser- 
geant Major of the Seventh Regiment, which 
was on detached duty at Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, and Louisville, Kentucky. During 
the latter part of his term of service his 
regiment was transferred to the defenses of 
Washington, where they remained until 
August 15, 1864. Having served three years 
his term of service expired, and he received 
an honorable discharge. Mr. Canon pro- 
ceeded to Auburn, Indiana, to which place 
his parents had removed, and soon found em- 
ployment at Ft. Wayne, in the office of the 
Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railway 
as check clerk, which position he held 
one year. He afterward did train service 
one year, and was advanced to a conductor- 
ship, in which capacity he served about five 
years. He continued in the railway service, 
in the East, until 1876, when he came to the 
coast, and was with the Southern Pacific 
Railway Company until August, 1881, thus 
devoting seventeen years of his life to railroad 
service. Owing to exposure his health be- 
came impaired, and he located at San Luis 
Obispo, purchasing the Central Hotel, which 
he operated until his appointment as Poht- 
master of his city, February 19, 1890. 

Mr. Canon was married to Miss Irene 
Snyder at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, in 1866; she 
was a native of Ohio, and a most estimable 
lady. They have three daughters and two 
sons. Mr. Canon is held in high esteem by 
the cititzens of San Luis Obispo. He has 



516 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



been a member of the Board of Trustees, and 
was two years its chairman; and is also a 
member of Fred Steele Post, G. A. R., No. 
70, and is Past Commander of the same. In 
his present Federal position he is proving a 
most competent and satisfactory official. He 
is fully abreast of the demands of the times, 
and has located the postoffice in a handsome 
new building erected and equipped for the 
purpose. He is such a citizen as no city can 
do without. 



icl ii>«V-iii- £) (^ « *.|n i-^o» 

J. SIMMLER, of San Luis Obispo, 
was born in the city of Mulhaus, 
in the Province of AJsace (now a 
portion of Germany), July 18, 1826. At 
that time Charles X was king of France, and 
this province was an important department 
of that kingdom. His father, George Simm- 
ler, a pupil of the celebrated Pestalozzi, the 
great educator, was a professor of thirty-one 
years' standing in the college of Mulhaus. 
He was born and reared in humble circum- 
stances and educated himself. He died at 
the age of seventy-eight years, in France. He 
had three sons and two daughters. The sons 
emigrated to America, the second one com- 
ing in 1835 and settling as a pioneer in 
Texas. He was a professional pianist and 
piano manufacturer in the old country. Be- 
ing an intimate friend of General Sam Hous- 
ton, he entered public life and lived until 
1881, having three sons and three daughters. 
Mr. Simmler, the subject of this sketch, 
received a first-class education in the old 
country, and learned the trade of painting, 
traveling two years in the completion of his 
apprenticeship. He came to this country in 
1847, then a young man of 21 years, just 
after the close of the Mexican war, and re- 
sided at Houston, Texas, until 1852, follow- 



ing his trade. During that year his love for 
travel induced him to come to California. 
He was several months on the way, some of 
the time in the Republic of Mexico, and two 
months he was on the ocean, where his suf- 
ferings were so great as to cause him to land 
when the vessel struck shore near Port Har- 
ford. The story of his coming is somewhat 
thrilling. He shipped from Mazatlan, on 
the bark Hollo way, and the vessel being for 
sixty days lost on the ocean the sailors and 
passengers fell short of rations. At length 
they saw land, which proved to be Point San 
Simeon, at which they landed. About 
seventy passengers debarked, all of whom 
except Mr. Simmler hastened off to the 
mines. He became employed as cook for an 
American physician named Clements, who 
was afterward killed by a California lion 
while out hunting about five miles from the 
town of San Luis Obispo. Afterward Mr. 
Simmler engaged in painting for Captain 
John Wilson, an Englishman then at the Los 
Osos Ranch, now the property of L. M. 
Warden. Captain Wilson was a diamond in 
the rough, a good man; was step- father of 
ex-Governor Pacheco. After working for 
Captain Wilson a year Mr. Simmler began 
farming on John price's ranch, and in this 
enterprise lost all his accumulations. Next 
he kept a hotel, the first in San Luis Obispo, 
near the old Mission where Weaver's under- 
taking establisment now is, on the corner of 
Choro and Monterey streets. Subsequently 
he removed with his partner to the St. 
Charles, on Monterey street near the Black- 
man Block, in Mrs. Sauer's building, now a 
tin-shop. 

From the time he entered the hotel busi- 
ness near the old Mission, in 1856, he held 
the office of Justice of the Peace until 1858, 
when he resigned in order to join the Vigi- 
lance Committee. This body was disorgan- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



511 



ized six months afterward, and Mr. Simmler 
began work again for Captain Wilson, and 
was in his employ several months, pursuing 
meanwhile his trade as painter until April? 
1859. At this time he married for his pres- 
ent wife Mrs. Rosa Butron de Canet, a native 
Californian whose husband was a Spaniard. 
Mr. Simmler was Justice of the Peace at in- 
tervals for ten years; also Deputy Sheriff 
and Deputy Assessor four years; one of the 
first Town Trustees; School Trustee for a 
number of years; first Police Judge under 
the first corporation and Postmaster about 
twenty yeais. Of course, during a portion 
of this period he held two or three of these 
offices at the same time. He was an efficient 
and popular officer, and although he was the 
choice of 700 citizens for re-appointment as 
Postmaster, he was not re-commissioned 
under the administration of Benjamin Har- 
rison. At present he is book-keeper and 
manager for Louis Marre. 



fENKINS & McGUIKE, the present pro- 
prietors of the Santa Maria Times. G. 
W. Jenkins, the practical newspaper man, 
was born in La Grange, Missouri, in 1854, 
and after a preliminary education he com- 
pleted his studies at the Normal College at 
Kirks ville, Missouri. He then began teach- 
ing in private classes, and after a course at 
Canton Business College, he taught day and 
evening classes until later on, when he en- 
gaged in the newspaper business. He came 
to California in 1879, settling at San Luis 
Obispo, where he became connected with the 
staff of the San Luis Obispo Tribune, a daily 
publication with a weekly edition. After 
three years this connection was severed, and 
in partnership with F. O. O'Neal they started 
the San Luis Obispo Republic, but after 



three months he sold out and came to Santa 
Maria, in 1883, in the capicity of business 
manager of the Santa Maria Times, the paper 
having been started by S. Clevenger & Laugh- 
lin, in 1882. In 1884 Mr. Clevenger and 
Mr. Jenkins bought the Laughlin interest, 
and continued until May, 1887, when Mr. 
Clevenger sold his interest to I. N. McGnire, 
and Jenkins & McGuire have since managed 
the paper. The circulation is 600 copies, 
and it is considered one of the leading papers 
of northern Santa Barbara County. 

Mr. Jenkins was married at San Luis 
Obispo, in September, 1882, to Miss Allie 
McGuire, a daughter of I. N. McGuire. 
They have two children: Percie May and 
George Ray. 

I. N. McGuire was born in Jackson County, 
Missouri, in 1882. His father, with his 
family, moved to Buchanan County, in 1838 
and there our subject received his education. 
He then moved, with his family, in 1849, to 
California, coming across the plains, and 
driving an ox team all the way. They then 
settled at Yacaville, Solano County, and 
started the town by building the first house 
therein. Mr. McGuire then began raising 
cattle and horses, continuing until 1853, 
when he moved his stock to Sonoma County, 
buying 480 acres of land, and there followed 
the stock business for twenty years, keeping 
about 300 head, and fanning in grain, in 
1873 he came to San Luis Obispo County, 
and was engaged in sheep-raising until his 
herd numbered 3,500 sheep; he lost heavily 
by the dry season of 1877, and closed out 
the business. In 1880 he moved to San Luis 
Obispo, and for three years was engaged in 
mercantile life, and in 1883 came to Santa 
Maria. He was engaged in the drug busi- 
ness until 1887, when he bought the interest 
of Mr. Clevenger in the Santa Maria Times, 

Mr. McGuire was first married in Sacra- 



518 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



mento, in 1854, to Miss Sarah Condit, who 
died in 1887, leaving six children. In May, 
1888, he was again married, at Bloomfield, 
California, to Miss May Horsley. Mr' 
McGnire is a member of Hesperian Lodge, 
No. 264, F. & A. M. 




jICHAEL BOLL is counted among 
the early American settlers of San 
^0^ Luis Obispo. He is of German 
birth, was born September 29, 1829, on St. 
Michael's day; hence he received his Chris- 
tian name. He emigrated to this country 
when a mere youth. He is a first-class shoe- 
maker, which trade he learned in the cities of 
New Orleans and Mobile. In 1853 he made 
a trip to Europe, but immediately returned 
to New York city. Mr. Boll has been a 
very successful business man, and was also 
one of the pioneer merchants of Chicago, 
where he kept a boot and shoe store at 613 
State street, in an early day. Owing to the 
severe climate he embarked for San Francisco, 
where he remained but a short time, when he 
started for his adopted town, San Luis 
Obispo, where he has since resided. He has 
diligently pursued his chosen calling and by 
judickras investments he has accumulated a 
competency. 

July 16, 1854, he married Eliza Scheffner, 
a merchant tailoress. They have five chil- 
dren. 



* ~_«o+-i|>>- 



H"**! 



f<U~40«- 



D. SNYDER, an early pioneer and a 
prominent developer of the Los Ala- 
Q mos Valley, was born in Wales Center, 
Erie County, New York, in 1853. His 
father was a farmer with extensive lumber 



and saw-mill interests. Our subject left 
home at seventeen years of age and went to 
the lumber regions at East Saginaw, Michi- 
gan, where, owing to his experience in his 
father's mills, he readily found employment 
and was put in full charge of a large saw- 
mill, remainiug about three years, when an 
epidemic of fever and ague broke out, and 
Mr. Snyder, being quite ill, returned to his 
home in the East. After recovering he 
again started forth, and settled at Green Bay, 
Wisconsin, where he was engaged with a 
Mr. Lamont in the lumber business for two 
years. He then disposed of his interests and 
visited Portland, Oregon ; Puget Sound and 
Seattle, and then went south to Guadaloupe, 
where he located in 1876, and began ranch- 
ing. In 1877 he went to Los Alamos, whicii 
was then the old stage station, and foreseeing 
the founding of a town bought land and 
made the primal move toward its establish- 
ment by erecting the first business building 
of the place, which is now occupied by Arata 
Bros. Mr. Snyder also rented extensive 
tracts of land and engaged in farming, and 
in 1881, from 400 acres of land, he raised 
10,000 centals of barley and wheat. During 
the harvest he employed sixty men, sixty 
horses, two threshers, a header and bailer and 
at the same time managed his extensive hotel 
business; was also agent for the Wells-Fargo 
Express and Coast Line Stage Company, and, 
as one might imagine, he was reasonably busy. 
In 1880 he built the Alamo Hotel, which he 
managed for a number of years. In 1887 he 
received the Government contract to carry 
the mail between Lompoc and Los Alamos, 
and the same year established a livery busi- 
ness. 

He was married in Los Alamos, in 1881, 
to Miss Linine F. Keenan, a native of Illi- 
nois. They have no children. Mr. Snyder 
has now closed his business, rented his hotel 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



519 



and intends taking a much needed rest by an 
extended trip East. 



... .i| . ;m; « | »— »°- — 

igHOMAS BAEEOWS ie a native of 
will: Massachusetts, born on Martha's Vine- 
W> yard, April 14, 1843. His father? 
James Lloyd Barrows, was also a native of 
that State, and was a merchant and manufact- 
urer. Their ancestry came from England. 
His mother, Hannah Cottle, was born in 
Massachusetts, the daughter of Captain Ed- 
ward Cottle, a sea captain of merchant ships. 
Mr. Barrows finished his education at Gor- 
ham, Maine. He began his business career 
at Indianapolis, as clerk in a wholesale dry- 
goods house. After this he accepted the 
position of general traveling agent for the 
Grover & Baker Sewing Machine Company, 
and acted in that capacity for several years. 
He next took the general agency for the Vic- 
tor Sewing Machine Company, for the North- 
west, with headquarters at Chicago, the firm 
being Thomas Barrows & Co. During this 
time he was a partner in the Elgin Iron 
Works, manufacturers of small engines and 
castings. Their sewing-machine business in 
Chicago became quite extensive, sales reached 
8,000 machines in the best year, and alto- 
gether they disposed of 25,000. They were 
caught in the great Chicago fire and lost 
quite heavily, but were again receiving or- 
ders the week following the fire. 

In 1875 impaired health caused Mr. Bar- 
rows to leave Chicago and come to California. 
He was first in Oakland and San Francisco. 
His disease was hemorrhage of the lungs and 
attending troubles, and his physician advised 
the mildest climate possible. The Ojai Val- 
ley was decided upon, and ho arrived at this 
place in 1878. He purchased 1G0 acres of 
unimproved land, which, under his judicious 



care and management, now presents a very 
different appearance. He has erected a com- 
fortable home, planted a large variety of 
trees and vines, and his property has become 
a lovely tree-embowered retreat. Mr. Bar- 
rows has long since regained his health, and 
is now in a situation to enjoy life, under the 
shade of the vine and fig tree of his own 
planting. His ranch is provided with ample 
barns. He is now engaged in raising Hol- 
stein and Jersey cattle and fine blooded horses 
of the A. W. Eichmond stock, and is also 
raising work-horses; has had as high as 300 
head of horses and cattle at one time. He 
has dealt some in real estate, and owns about 
250 acres of choice land in the valley. He 
is engaged in orange culture both at his 
home and also at Pomona. 

Mr. Barrows was married, in 1869, to 
Miss Sarah W. Coffin, a native of Edgar- 
town, Massachusetts, daughter of Jared W. 
Coffin, who traces his ancestry back to 
Nantucket. This union was blessed with a 
daughter, and a few days later the young 
mother and beloved wife was called away, 
and thus a most sad bereavement came to 
him. The daughter, Charlotte C, is now at- 
tending the Pomona College. Several years 
after his wife's decease, Mr. Barrows was 
again married, in 1872, to Miss Ella A. Cole, 
of Medway, Massachusetts, daughter of Cap- 
tain John Cole, a sea captain of whaling and 
merchant vessels. They have one child, Da- 
vid P. Barrows, who is also attending Po- 
mona College, in the freshmen class. All 
the family are members of the Congrega- 
tional Church. While in Chicago Mr. Bar- 
rows was superintendent of the Tabernacle 
Sunday-school and deacon in the Tabernacle 
Church; is now a deacon in the Nordhoff 
Congregational Church, and also an active 
worker in the Sunday-school. lie is a gen- 
tleman of pleasing and genial manners, ami 



520 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



one whose influence for good is felt in the 
community in which he resides. Politically, 
he is a Republican. 

— ^^►M"^" ♦ " ■ 

§YMAN L. PATTER was born in Ben- 
nington County, Vermont, November 
4, 1847, son of S. J. and Flanella Pat- 
ter, both now deceased. He is one of a fam- 
ily of eleven children, five of whom are 
living. February 24, 1868, Mr. Patter landed 
in California, having made the trip by water, 
via Panama. He came directly to San Luis 
Obispo County, and went to work for Steele 
Bros., and was in their employ for four years. 
For some time he was engaged in ranching 
for various parties, and in 1882 came to 
Santa Margarita Valley, settling on a small 
ranch where he now resides. This property 
is located in the heart of this lovely valley 
and there is no prettier site in the county. 
Mr. Patter also owns a ranch of 160 acres in 
Kern County. 

He was married February 16, 1871, to 
Miss Jane Sumner, and they have had ten 
children, only two of whom are now living. 

fOSF COLL, son of Daniel and Bruine 
(nee Garcia) Coll, was born in Santa 
Barbara, in 1834, and is one of a family 
of three children. The family moved to San 
Luis Obispo in 1841, soon after the death of 
Daniel Coll, and, with the exception of Jo- 
se, have since continued to make that city 
their home. Mrs. Coll is still living, aged 
seventy-eight. 

The subject of this sketch came to San 
Jose Valley in 1850, and was the first settler 
in the place. He built the first corral, the 
location of which is yet easily recognizable. 



Mr. Coll has seen, as no one else has, the 
remarkable changes that have taken place in 
this productive valley, and having an excel- 
lent memory relates in a very interesting way 
his early adventures. When he arrived here 
the place was one thicket of brush and Cot- 
tonwood; the creek, now quite a formidable 
stream, was then hard to find and very shal- 
low. At one time, in company with four 
men, one of whom was Antonio Garcia, he 
went on an expedition off from the valley and 
caught a number of wild horses. In those 
days it was no novel sight to see horses roam- 
ing around that belonged to no one, and 
though wild were soon put to a good use. 

Mr. Coll has been twice married, the second 
time, in 1877, to Mrs. Sweet, the widow of 
J. W. Sweet, by whom he has three children. 
Ever since living in the San Jose Valley he 
has been actively engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, and is now settled with his wife 
on the Sweet ranch. 

— "-* ♦!**-•£»!♦*-<" — 

fM. SHARP is one of the prominent 
ranchers of Saticoy. He was born in 
Q Cadiz, Ohio, March 3, 1844. His 
father, John Sharp, was born in Pennsylva- 
nia, March 27, 1797, and his mother, C. A. 
(Hesser) Sharp, was born in Virginia in 
1808. They had seven children, all of whom 
are now living. The subject of this sketch 
was reared and educated in Oiegon, and was a 
school teacher there. He has also been en- 
gaged in the profession of teaching since 
coining to Ventura County, having gradu- 
ated from the State Normal School in 1871. 
He came to California in 1867, spent two 
years in Placer County, working for wages; 
then, ior six years, was a book-keeper in 
San Francisco; worked one year on a farm in 
Sonoma County. In 1876 he came to South- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



5J1 



ern California, resided six years on a farm in 
Santa Ana, and, in November, 1882, moved 
to his present ranch where he has since re 
sided. This property consists of 140 acres, 
and is most beautifully located. Mr. Sharp 
has built and made many improvements, and 
is now engaged in the construction of a fine 
residence which, when completed, will con- 
tain all the modern improvements of a first- 
class home, including; gas, hot and cold water. 
It is being built some distance from the 
highway in order to afford ample room for 
ornamental grounds. This farm cost $40 an 
acre, and is not for sale, but is valued at $200 
per acre. Mr. Sharp is engaged in the pro- 
duction of Lima heans, for which the land is 
wonderfully well adapted. He has twenty 
acres in walnut trees, which will soon yield 
$100 per acre. Mr. Sharp was married in 
1874 to Miss S. R. Plank, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in 1851, and daughter of Jo- 
seph Plank, who was born in Chester County, 
Pennsylvania, September 13, 1813. Mr. and 
Mrs. Sharp have an interesting family of 
seven children. She is a member of the 
Baptist Church, and was graduated at the 
State Normal School of California, in the 
class of 1871. Mr. Sharp is a strictly tem- 
perance man, and adheres to the Prohibition 
party. 



fOIIN RANSOM, M. D., San Luis Obispo, 
was born in Clean, Allegany County, New 
York, in 1825, theyoungestof thefivechil- 
dren of Rodolphus Ransom, who was a farmer 
and a leading citizen of that place, a native of 
Vermont, and is now deceased. lie moved with 
his family from Allegany County to Madison 
County, same State, and here Dr. Ransom 
began the study of medicine, under the super- 
vision of a relative, Dr. David Ransom. He 

33 



graduated at Geneva College, in the class of 
1849, and commenced the practice of his pro- 
fession at the age of twenty-four, in the city 
of Rochester, remaining there about six years. 
While there he married Mi?s C. S. Brennan, 
daughter of Dennis Brennan, a dry-gcods 
merchant. He next went to San Antonio, 
Texas, where he engaged in stock-raising with 
good success. Upon the breaking out of the 
War of the Rebellion he was shadowed as a 
Union man. Indeed, he did not hesitate to 
avow his political preference. This caused 
him at length to rent his plantation and re- 
move with his family to New York. He 
entered the Union army in 1862, as Surgeon 
of the Fourteenth New York Cavalry and 
the Nineteenth United States Colored infan- 
try, and he served in this capacity until 1867, 
since which time he nas been a citizen of San 
Luis Obispo, quietly practicing his profes- 
sion. He is a gentleman of retired manner, 
and highly respected as a physician. 

He has three children living: Cornelia N., 
wife of Mr. Hugh K. McJunkin, a lawyer of 
San Francisco; Florence, now Mrs. R. Man- 
derscheid, of San Luis Obispo, and Rudolphi.s, 
of San Francisco. 



LBERT J. BOESEKE was born at 
Schwedt, on the Oder River in the State 
of Prussia, January 6, 1828; was edu- 
cated in the common schools and learned the 
trade of tinsmith. In 1848 he was mustered 
into the Prussian army, and after three years 
of active service he was discharged. He then 
worked two years, and emigrated to America 
in 1853, landing at New York. In 1855 he 
went to Muscatine, Iowa, as a pioneer, and 
started in business, remaining until 1865, 
when he crossed the plains to California, b}' 
way of Salt Lake City, bringing with him 



522 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



his wife and three children, and was nineteen 
weeks on the journey. He first began work 
at San Francisco, but, not liking the climate, 
and hearing through triends of the more 
salubrious climate of Santa Barbara, he came 
to that city, where he established himself 
and has since (1890) remained. He first 
opened a tinshop and gradually ran into 
hardware, and then, by taking in a partner, 
trouble began, an the partner defaulted and 
Mr. Boeseke lost heavily. He then sold out 
to Smith & Edwards, and, after settling up 
the old business, continued a one-third in- 
terest, which he held until 1889, when he 
felt that his health was failing, and to close 
up his affairs sold out his interest. He has 
been a hard-working man, and through thrift 
and economy and the natural increase in val- 
ues, has attained a comfortable competence. 
He was married at Comanche, Iowa, in 
1858, to Miss Eliza Fluehe, a native of Ham- 
burg, on the the Elbe River. They have six 
children living, He is a member of the F. 
& A. M. and of the Odd Fellows. He says 
with great pride that he is a strong temper- 
ance man and does not use tobacco, and 
neither of his four sons either smoke or 
drink. Mr. Boeseke has many interests in 
town, as the accumulation of his years of 
prosperity; and who is more worthy to enjoy 
than the hard-working pioneer ? 



iAPTALN A. L. ANDERSON.— After 

a busy, bustling life in the East, Cap- 
tain Anderson first came to Santa Bar- 
bara in 1878, and being attracted by the 
even temperature and restful quiet of the 
Montecito "Valley, he there established him- 
self in 1884, and his handsome residence 
now commands a beautiful view of the fruit- 
ful valley and the peaceful ocean in the dis- 



tance. Captain Anderson was born at Croton, 
Westchester County, New York, and is a son 
of Nathan Anderson, who was an extensive 
trafficker on the Hudson River. Captain 
Anderson built that famous river boat, the 
Mary Powell, which is celebrated the world 
over for her speed and magnificence. She is 
300 feet long, with thirty-four feet beam, 
with main, promenade and hurricane decks, 
and can carry 2,000 passengers. Her record 
is twenty-six and one-fourth miles per hour, 
being the fastest time of any river boat in 
the world. The captain ran her from 1862 
to 1878, and has had for passengers all the 
eminent people of the East and many for- 
eigners visiting this land, as the trip up the 
Hudson is one of the most beautiful excur- 
sions in the East. The boat ran between 
New York and Kingston, leaving New York 
each afternoon, Sundays excepted, at 3:30 
v. m., and had the record of being so punc- 
tual and always on time that even watches 
were regulated by her arrival, and more con- 
fidence was placed in her running time and 
punctuality than in the steam cars. The 
Captain speaks of her with great tenderness, 
and she has been the pride of his life; but, 
owing to increasing years, his son, Captain 
A. E. Anderson, now runs the boat. It has 
been twice rebuilt. Captain Anderson still 
owns a beautiful home at Kingston, on the 
Hudson, which has been in his wife's family 
over 100 years. He prefers, however, to 
spend the closing years of his life in the 
more peaceful temperature of Southern Cal- 
ifornia. 

jig C. DENNIS, of San Luis Obispo, was 
jSWsL born in St. Louis, Missouri, Novem- 
^£ 9 ber 26, 1833. His father, a native of 
Lexington, Kentucky, was a real-estate op- 
erator, and in early days removed to St. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



b-21 



Louis, where he did an extensive business 
until his death, which occurred while he was 
yet in the prime of life. He left a widow 
and eight children. Mr. Dennis, of this 
sketch, left St. Louis in 1851 for the gold- 
fields of El Dorado County, California, and 
there spent the most of his time in the mines 
until 1865. Then he traveled over the West- 
ern Territories, spending some time at Salt 
Lake City, where he was so kindly treated 
that his opinions concerning the people there 
were considerably modified. In 1882 he 
finally settled in San Luis Obispo, although 
his property interests are mainly in San 
Francisco and Oakland. In 1885 he married 
Miss Fredrika Bombardie, an Alsacian lady, 
who has been a resident of this country for 
fifteen years. They have one step-daughter, 
named Mary, who is twenty-two years of age. 



^-^ 



(HEDISTON HOUSE, a boarding and 
day school for young ladies. The ob- 
^1 ject of the fouuders of this excellent 
institution of learning was to afford young 
ladies tuition in those branches of study not 
taught in the public schools; for example, 
the Latin, French aud German languages, 
instrumental music and advanced drawing. 
The subjects taught in public schools are 
also taught if desired. The school was formed 
in the fall of 1888, by two highly educated 
and accomplished young ladies, the Misses 
Lilian and Beatrice, daughters of the Rev. 
J. Cheal. They weie educated in high-class 
schools of England, their native country, and 
took special courses of study in German. 
In music and the languages they are espe- 
cially brilliant and efficient. Their love for 
books and study, and their ambition and en- 
terprise as tutors, seem to have come to them 
as an inheritance from their parents. Their 



father, the clergyman in charge of the Epis- 
copal Church at San Luis Obispo, was, during 
a long and busy residence in England, thirty- 
four and a half years, a tutor in the public 
schools of that country. He is a man of 
broad culture and a profound scholar. For 
several years he kept his own private board- 
ing school in Otley, County Suffolk, England, 
and for three years prior to his coming to 
America he held the head-mastership of an 
endowed institution, which was founded in 
1632. He came to America with his family 
in 1885, and since his arrival he has thor- 
oughly acquainted himself with the Ameri- 
can system of education. Although he has 
not thought of teaching in this country, he 
has, as a matter of personal gratification, 
passed all the examinations in the State of 
California, entitling him to the highest-grade 
certificate; and his experience as a tutor in 
English schools of learning was promptly 
recognized by the State Board of Education, 
which board cheerfully issued a certificate to 
teach in any schools in the State. Mrs. 
Cheal, his amiable and cultured wife, was 
also educated for a tutorship in English 
schools. It is thus made clear how the chil- 
dren of such parents should aspire to the ex- 
alted positions they have taken in the field of 
higher education. 

Mr. and Mrs. Choal have a family of four 
daughters and three sons. All, with one ex- 
ception, are residents of Southern California. 
Mr. Harry A. Cheal, the eldest, is a thor- 
oughly educated man, a professional chemist 
and a drug merchant of Tacoma, Washington. 
Fred J., the second son, is a prosperous 
rancher and stockman of Lompoc. A daugh- 
ter. Alice, is conducting classes in music, 
French and drawing at Lompoc. 

The Miss Choals, Lilian, Beatrice and Ger- 
trude, have now opened a similar school to 
the above at Seattle, Washington, and Mr. 



524 



SANTA BARB AHA, SAN LUIS OBJ S PC) 



and Mrs. Cheal, with their youngest eon, 
Maurice, expect to join them at Christinas. 
A large number of pupils have been secured, 
and more are likely to attend next term, which 
commences early in January, 1891. 

^OK McD. R. VENEBLE, a leading 
lawyer and banker of San Luis Obispo, 
was burn in Prince Edward County, Vir- 
ginia, September 8, 1836, the son of Richard 
and Magdelene (McCampbell) Veneble; the 
former was a planter of his native county, 
and the latter was of Scotch -Irish parentage, 
and a native of Lexington, Rockbridge Coun- 
ty, Virginia. His grandfather, Richard N. 
Veneble, was a prominent lawyer of Prince 
Edward County, and his great-unc'e, A. H. 
Veneble, was a United States Senator from 
the old Dominion State. His father died in 
the prime of manhood, leaving a family of 
five children. Judge Veneble, the fourth 
child, was educated at Hampden Sidney Col- 
lege, Virginia, and read law at the University 
of Virginia in the class of 1859. In 1861 he 
joined the Confederate Army, and fought 
under General Robert E. Lee in the Richmond 
Howitzers. His battery fired the first volley 
at the battle of Bethel, the opening engage- 
ment of the memorable conflict. He re- 
mained in the Army of Northern Virginia 
until after the battle of Chancellorsville, and 
was then appointed First Lieutenant in the 
Engineers Corps, and was stationed at Shreve 
port, Louisiana, where he remained until the 
close of the war. Mr. Veneble received a 
painful wound at the battle of Antietam in his 
left leg, from a cannon ball, which tore away 
the flesh, and also a slight scalp wound at the 
same battle. In this engagement he was 
acting as Lieutenant of Branch's Battery, and 
was in command of the center section of the 



battery, there being right and left sections, 
and it was at this time that he received his 
wounds. 

After the close of the war, having served 
four years and one month, Judge Veneble 
settled at Farmville, Virginia, where he com- 
menced the practice of law, remaining until 
1868. On account of failing health he re- 
moved to California, locating at San Jose,' 
where he remained only one year, and then 
removed to San Luis Obispo. His knowledge 
of law and hi* excellent social and business 
qualities made him many friends in this 
county. He was <-hosen County Judge of his 
county in 1872. serving to and including the 
year 1880. He was also elected on the Dem- 
ocratic ticket to the Legislature of California 
in 1887, and has also served one term in the 
city council of San Luis Obispo. In 1872 
Judge Veneble represented California at the 
National Democratic Convention at Balti- 
more, Maryland. 

He was married in 1872 in Montgomery 
County, Maryland, to Miss Alice Watkins, a 
daughter of G. M. Watkins, of that State. 
The Judge is an absolute conservative busi- 
ness man and financier; is a heavy stock- 
holder and the president of the Commercial 
Bank of San Luis Obispo. 

7 |f^OLONEL W. A. HAYNE, one of the 
pioneer settlers and developers of the 
'< Montecito Valley," whose pleasing 
residence commands a beautiful view of val- 
ley and ocean, was born at Charleston, South 
Carolina, in 1821. He is a son of Hon. Rob- 
ert Y. Hayne, an eminent statesman of South 
Carolina, who also served as Speaker of the 
South Carolina Legislature, was elected a 
member of Congress and, later, United States 
Senator (which office he resigned, in favor of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



525 



Mr. Calhoun), and was then elected Governor 
of South Carolina. In 1832 when President 
Jackson issued his proclamation against nul- 
lification, Governor Hayne issued a counter- 
proclamation,'* in favor of " State Rights." 
Robert Y. Hayne was in the United States 
Senate, opposed to Daniel Webster, in that 
great debate on " Foote's resolution," re- 
garding public lands, which drifted into 
" Stales' Rights " and eventually resulted in 
the civil war. 

Colonel W. A. Hayne is a graduate of the 
South Carolina College. He studied law and 
was admitted to practice; was afterward 
elected to the South Carolina Legislature, 
and voted for the convention which passed 
the " ordinance of secession." He served 
through the war of the Confederate States; 
was assigned special duty at Charleston, 
where he was stationed much of the time; and 
at the close of the war, having lost a large 
estate, he emigrated, with a family of small 
children, to California, arriving at San Fran- 
cisco in July, 1867. Having there a brother, 
Dr. A. P. Hayne, and cousin, E. J. Pringle, 
a prominent attorney, under their advice, he 
visited different localities, and, finding Santa 
Barbara possessing the most desirable quali- 
ties, bought a tract of 200 acres of land, in 
the Montecito Valley, at the rate of $20 per 
acre. The valley then was wild and un- 
settled, the ground being covered with sage 
brush and chapparal. There t were no im- 
provements in the neighborhood, and not a 
fruit tree had been planted. The Colonel 
began clearing and developing, bringing 1,000 
orange trees from Los Angeles, and thus be- 
gun the industry, which has since proved so 
successful, making the valley one of the most 
beautiful of Southern California, and in- 
creasing the price of land from §20 to 8250 
per acre. His son, William Alston Hayne, 
Jr., is deeply interested in the development 



of the olive, having extensive nurseries at 
Montecito, and planting extensive groves in 
the Santa Ynes Yalley. Arthur P. Hayne, 
another son, is in the " Montpelier Insti- 
tute," in the south of France, studying viti- 
culture and perfecting himself in wine manu- 
facture, that he may be better able to de- 
velop the great wine interest of California. 
His eldest son, Robert Y. Hayne, is an emi- 
nent lawyer of San Francisco, and has been 
elected Superior Judge, and is now a member 
of the " Supreme Court Commission," ap- 
pointed by the Legislature to aid in Supreme 
Court decisions. Colonel Hayne has two 
other 6ons who are lawyers, and one who is 
also interested in the Santa Ynez olive 
ranch. 

Colonel Hayne. was married in Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania, in 1847, to a daughter 
of Edward Stiles, a gentleman of English 
descent, who early settled in Pennsylvania. 
The Colonel is a modest, retiring gentleman, 
justly proud of his ancestors, and of the suc- 
cess of his own family. 

— «*^f*-^-^f+-«« 

W. STEELE, a prominent dairyman 
and stock- raiser in San Luis Obispo, 
° was born in Delhi, Delaware County, 
New York, March 4, 1830, the sou of Na- 
thaniel Steele, who was a fanner by vocation 
and also in pioneer times the owner of a 
stage line. He moved to Lorain County, 
Ohio, about 1836, and finally came with his 
wife to California, whither his children had 
preceded him. He died in 1861, at Point 
Reyes, where his son, I. C, had located; and 
his wife died the preceding year, at Peta- 
luma. 

The eldest daughter living, Mrs. E. Moore, 
now eighty-five years of age, lives in Delhi, 
Delaware County, New York. The eldest 



526 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



son, Osman N., was killed in his performance 
of duty as under Sheriff of that county, Au- 
gust 5, 1845, by men disguised as Indians 
for the purpose of resisting the collection of 
land rents. The eldest daughter died in Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts, in 1886. The second 
son, J. B. Steele, a member of Congress from 
Ulster County, New York, was thrown from 
his carriage and killed in 1867. The third 
son, Major General F. Steele, United States 
Army, died January 12, 1868, in San 
Mateo County, this State. The fourth son, 
1. C, has resided at Pescadero, San Mateo 
County, since 1862. The tifth son, Judge 
George Steele, is a resident of San Luis 
Obispo. The seventh son died in 1854, of 
cholera, at the Straits of Sault Ste. Marie, 
between the great lakes. 

E. W., the subject of this brief outline, 
is the sixth son and eighth child in a 
family of nine. Except those mentioned 
the family lived and died in the State 
of New York. He came to California in 
1856, first locating in San Mateo County, 
but since 1866 he has been a resident of San 
Luis Obispo County, engaged in dairying 
and stock-raising. He also has heavy inter- 
ests in San Luis Obispo; is a stockholder in 
the Central Milling Company, and has ex 
tensive stock and agricultural lands in the 
Santa Ynes Yalley. He has been Super- 
visor two terms, being President of the 
Board one term; was a member of the firm 
of Steele Bros., first at Point Reyes until 
1863, when, their leases expiring, they moved 
their cattle and dairy business to San Luis 
Obispo County. Most of their stock is Hol- 
stein and Jersey. At one time, just before 
and during the war period, they had 3,000 
milch cows. It was they who presented to 
the National Sanitary Commission during 
the war the mammoth cheese, weighing 3,- 
856 pounds. Half of this was sold by the 



commission at San Francisco for $3,000, and 
the remainder was sent to the soldiers of the 
Army of the Potomac. For its manu- 
facture special machinery was of course de- 
vised, the bands and hoop alone costing $500. 
It was all of good quality. 

In this county Mr. Steele has now about 
5,500 acres of land, in Arroyo Grande Val- 
ley, mostly grazing and agricultural. He 
has adopted the modern improved methods 
in all the departments of the business; has a 
silo for alfalfa. 

Mr. Steele was first married at Chatta- 
nooga, Tennessee, to Miss Julia Stanley, who 
died about eighteen months afterward ; and 
in 1876, at Los Angeles, Mr. Steele was again 
married, this time to Miss Emily E. Smith, 
and by this marriage there is one son, named 
Edgar J., and born August 26, 1879. 



NTONIO G. GUTIERREZ, druggist at 
Santa Barbara, was born in that city 
IP March 18, 1860. The biography of his 
father, Dr. B. Gutierrez, appears elsewhere 
in this book. In educational pursuits An- 
tonio first attended the Santa Barbara Mission, 
then the Santa Ynez College, at Los Alamos 
(now Los Olivos), and the Pacific schools of 
Santa Barbara. In 1878 he went to work 
with his father in the drug business, and re- 
mained with him until February 1, 1881. 
He then went to work in San Francisco, and 
took two courses of lectures in the California 
College of Pharmacy during 1881 and 1882, 
and also was employed in the chemical labora- 
atory of Messrs. Redington & Co., manufact- 
uring chemists and wholesale druggists, in 
San Francisco. On March 15, 1883, he sailed 
for Chili, South America, on steamer City of 
Rio de Janeiro, arriving at Panama April 3, 
and the 11th of the same month at 5:30 p. m. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



he sailed for Callao, Peru, on steamer Bolivia, 
arriving at Callao April 19, at 4:30 p. M.,and 
on the 21st of the same month he sailed again 
for his final destination, Valparaiso, Chili, on 
steamer Mendoza, at 6 p. m., arriving at Val- 
paraiso April 30, 1883, at 6:15 a. m. He was 
gone six years, spending the time mainly at 
Valparaiso and Santiago, the capital of Chili, 
in the wholesale and retail drug husiness. 

Mr. A. G. Gutierrez was married at Val- 
paraiso, Chili, November 29, 1883, to Miss 
Carmela Ibanez. They have five children, 
four of whom survive. 

On December, 15, 1888, he sailed for Santa 
Barbara, California, with all his family, on 
the steamer "Corona," and arrived at San 
Francisco January 4, 1889, and Santa Bar- 
bara January 12, and immediately entered the 
drug business with his father. 

Mr. Gutierrez is a member of the Cali- 
fornia Pharmaceutical Society of San Fran- 
cisco, and of the American Pharmaceutical 
Association, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 



fA KRILL, M. D., San Luis Obispo, 
has been a resident of this place since 
a 1887, one of the leading physicians. 
He was born in Weston, Wood County, Ohio, 
May 7, 1855; completed his literary educa- 
tion at Oberlin College, and his medical at 
the Homeopathic Medical College at Cleve- 
land, graduating in the class of 1882. He 
first practiced his profession for a brief period 
at Burton, Ohio, and then came directly West 
to California, locating at San Luis Obispo, 
where his success has a practitioner is a well- 
known fact. When he came here he was 
the only homeopathic physician in the county. 
He is a genial gentleman and an enterprising 
and popular citizen. He was married in 
1884, at Burton, Ohio, to Miss Ilattie A., 



daughter of Edward C. Rice, a capitalist of 
that place. 



♦Swf* 



lHARLES L. HALL, the present man- 
ager of the "Miramar" ranch, which 
°^L contains 550 acres and is located in the 
foothills overlooking the Carpenteria Valley, 
was born and educated in France, completing 
his education at the agricultural college in 
the south of France. This college is very 
thorough in its instructions and rigid in ex- 
aminations. He there passed two years and 
a half, and in 1885 came direct to California, 
to take charge of the ranch which was pur- 
chased by his father in 1878. His father, C. 
O. Hall, is a native of New England and went 
to France in 1860. Being a dentist of great 
prominence, he now operates in Paris during 
the summer and in Nice during the winter 
months. Mr. Hall purchased his ranch 
through his brother, H. H. Hall, of Santa 
Barbara, with a view of cultivatng flowers 
for the oil they contain. This business was 
conceived after a long experience in the south 
of France, where the industry is extensively 
carried on. The climate of the Carpenteria 
Valley being similar to that of southern 
France. Mr. Hall thought the flowers could 
be produced to advantage here. It, however, 
proved unprofitable, owing to expensive labor 
and the great destructiveness of gophers and 
ground squirrels; so, on the arrival of his son, 
Charles L., the entire plan was changed and 
the ranch is now being devoted to fruit. 
They have 3,000 olive trees planted, and an- 
ticipate increasing the number to 40,000. 
Three hundred of the Nostra! olives were 
imported from the South of France. They 
are also largely interested in the production 
of loquats, which mature in the early spring, 
and which are considered very profitable. In 



528 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



addition to the fruits already mentioned, they 
have 1,500 Sicily lemons, 150 Mandarin 
oranges, and a large number of apple trees. 
Altogether this is a ranch scientifically con- 
ducted and must necessarily bring profitable 
results. Mr. Hall also cultivates many rare 
and novel plants here, for ornamentation 
rather than profit. 

An important feature of this ranch is the 
dairy. They have a cross of Jersey, Durham 
and Holstein cattle, and manufacture an 
Italian cheese, having an expert to manage 
the dairy. They also have a high grade of 
horses for farm purposes. 



-► t> » I t < £ # -£+*-«>— 



««sJILLIAM BENN was born at Mary- 
"Wfflfl P ort ' Cumberland County, England, 
'■rwH in August, 1812. He learned the 
trade of carpenter and joiner, and in 1836 
came to America, first settling at Mobile, 
Alabama, where he worked at his trade. In 
1837 he was on the river steamboat Ophelia, 
on the Black "Warrior River, when she sunk. 
Only one life was lost. Mr. Benn followed 
his trade at Mobile and New Orleans until 
1839, when he returned to England and 
France, making one trip as ship's carpenter. 
On his return he was overseer and carpenter 
of a sugar plantation, near New Orleans, for 
one year. He again returned to England, 
and was engaged by the Cunard Steamship 
Company, as ship's carpenter on board the 
Britannia, making four trips to Boston. He 
then worked for the Liverpool Dock Trustees 
for five years. 

On the 17th of March, 1842, Mr. Benn 
was married at Cumberland, England, to 
Miss Ann Fischer. In 1847 he brought his 
family to New Orleans, and soon afterward 
started for Council Bluffs. They were 
wrecked on the Missouri River, on the 



steamboat Dacota, about seventy miles from 
Council Bluffs, and that distance was trav- 
eled by wagons. After remaining in Coun- 
cil Bluffs about three years, they traveled by 
ox teams to Salt Lake City, and three years 
later, in 1855, they moved still farther west, 
coming by ox teams and arriving in San 
Bernardino December 5 of that year. In the 
following February they came to Montecito. 
Here Mr. Benn purchased 100 acres of land 
at $1 per acre, carried on some farming and 
also worked at his trade. In 1873 he sold 
out and came to Carpenteria, buying four 
acres of land in the foot-hills and establishing 
for himself and family a comfortable home, 
overlooking the valley and getting full bene- 
fit of the breezes from the Pacific. Mrs. 
Benn died in September, 1885, at the ad- 
vanced age of seventy-three years. Since 
then Mr. Benn has lived alone, his five living 
children having gathered to themselves 
individual responsibilities. Though seventy- 
eight years of age, Mr. Benn is in the full 
enjoyment of every faculty, and, surrounded 
by his books, animals, dogs and flowers, 
seems to be closing a peaceful contented life. 

f^ON. MILTON WASON, a '49er, and 
3JH one of the best known citizens of Sati- 
i Wi coy, was born in Hudson, New Hamp- 
shire, January 17, 1817. Three generations 
of the family were born, reared and died in 
that State. Judge Wason, father of Hon. 
Milton Wason, was born November 2, 1785. 
He was a prominent man in his native State, 
having served several terms in the State 
Legislature, and having held the office of 
Justice nearly all his life. Judge Wason's 
great-grandfather, James Wason, with his 
wife, Hannah, emigrated from the county of 
Antrim, Ireland, about the year 1740, and 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



529 



settled on a tract of land on which generation 
after generation of the family were raised. 
JndgeWason's mother, Mary Colburn, was a 
native of the same place, she and her husband 
having been born within a mile of each other; 
6he was of English ancestry. 

Judge Wason, our subject, was the third 
child in a family of twelve; two children died 
in infancy, three sons and seven daughters 
grew to maturity, and five of the family are 
now living. He was educated at Dartmouth 
College, and took a law course at Harvard 
College, and al?o read law with Philips & 
Robbins, a prominent Boston law firm, and 
with Bradford Sumner. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1847, and practiced there two 
years. In 1849 he came around the Horn to 
California, where he mined for four years, 
with fair success. In Solano County he set- 
tled on what he supposed was Government 
land, where he lived and made improvements 
for six years, but finding it was not Govern- 
ment land he left it. He bought another 
place and lived upon it for eight years, when 
he sold it and came to Ventura County _ 
April 10, 1868, and bought 275 acres of 
valuable land, which he has since sold at a 
large advance, with the exception of 100 
acres, which he has saved fur a home place, 
and on which he has built a large and com- 
modious residence. On this property he has 
a complete variety of fruit, mostly for home 
use, and the ranch is devoted to corn, barley 
and beans. 

Judge Wason was married October 26, 
1852, to Miss Maria A. Borgnis, a native of 
the city of London, England. She was born 
February 1, 1820. They have two sons and 
two daughters, viz.: Maria A., now the wife 
of Mr. Riall G. Sparks, and residing at Santa 
Paula; Mary Eliza, residing with her parents; 
Charles Thomas, who married Ella B. Wason, 
of San Francisco, their fathers being cousins; 



they reside at Ventura; and George M., who 
married Agnes Jones, of Elizabeth, Pennsyl- 
vania, and resides with his father. All the 
children were born in Solano County, Cali- 
fornia. Judge Wason has been a Republican 
since 1861, and has three times been elected 
•to the California State Assembly. When the 
county was organized he was appointed 
County Judge, and afterward elected to the 
office. He held the office of Deputy Reve 
nue Collector for four years, and has often 
been elected a member of the Board of 
School Trustees. He has taken a deep inter 
est in California and the county of Ventura. 
In his official capacity he has exhibited both 
ability and strict adherance to what he be- 
lieved to be right. 

— " -"i*** * * * !" '*' 1 — 

|R. GEORGE BURRITT NICHOLS, 
of San Luis Obispo city, was born in 
Augusta, Georgia, November 28, 1840. 
Hi.- parents were both from Bridgeport, Con- 
necticut, and at the time of the civil war his 
father was a very wealthy man, having been 
in the saddlery business in Newark, New 
Jersey, a member of the firm of Smith & 
Wright, the firm later becoming Nichols, 
Sherman & Co. At the time of the Re- 
bellion, however, he lost most of his fortune. 
At the age of twelve years George was taken 
to Burlington, New Jersey, and placed in the 
Burlington College at that place, one of the 
best educational institutions in the country, 
then conducted by the Right Rev. Bishop 
Doane. After pursuing his studies there for 
a time, he went to sea, and was before the 
mast for several years. In 1858 he was in 
Europe, and traveled much with Robert 
Ballentine, a gentleman of intelligence and 
versed in tho sciences. After his travel the 
Doctor commenced the study of medicine, 



530 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



entering the far-famed Bellevne College, New 
York city, then in charge of Prof. James R. 
Wood, where he remained three years, grad- 
uating June 22, 1871. During his study at 
the college, Dr. Nichols was for a time am- 
bulance surgeon at the Bellevne Hospital, 
and from that office was transferred to the* 
Park Hospital, the first sun-stroke hospital 
in New York, where he also received the ap- 
pointment of house surgeon, a position of 
honor and requiring much knowledge and 
skill. In 1872 he came to California, and 
was engaged in the practice of his profession 
in Santa Barbara County for four years, and 
at the end of that time came to San Luis 
Obispo city, where he has since continued to 
reside. The Doctor makes a specialty of 
surgery in his practice, in which department 
he is eminently successful. His patronage 
throughout the county is large, and he is 
frequently called in consultation from distant 
points, in complicated and obscure cases. He 
is a man of many gifts, versatile in speech, 
universally popular throughout the county 
and wherever he has lived, and is at the 
present time a conspicuous figure in San Luis 
Obispo. 

Dr. Nichols, with Alt'. Walker, was the 
original discoverer of gas in the county at 
the oil wells, and at the same time owned 
that property; he has since disposed of it to 
other parties. He is now largely interested 
in the bituminous rock enterprise, the mines 
of which, located near the Corral de Piedra, 
he discovered in company with Alfred 
Walker. The Doctor is one of the largest 
stockholders in the company, and takes an 
active part in the management of its affairs. 
He has held various offices of importance 
since he came to California, politically and 
otherwise. He has been a member of the 
City Council of San Luis Obispo, and was 
the last Mayor the city really had. Through 



his efforts in that office many of the city de- 
partments have been divided and re-arranged, 
greatly assisting the method of the city's 
business. The Doctor was the County Coro- 
ner during 1888-'90, and while in Santa 
Barbara County was County Physician of the 
Third Township for a term of three years. 
In fraternal orders he is Warder in the 
Knight Templars, and King of San Luis 
Obispo Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; also 
Vice-Grand in the Odd Fellows lodge. 

Dr. Nichols was married in 1873 to Miss 
Emma Leland, and they have two sons. His 
residence, located near the Mission, is a 
handsome structure, surrounded by an at- 
tractive lawn and flowers. 



S. REED, the efficient Postmaster of 
Carpenteria, was born in Ontario 
=#^~ ' County, New York, in June, 1839. 
He was reared on his father's farm, and re- 
mained there until twenty-one years of age, 
when in 1865 he went to Kent County, 
Michigan, where he again engaged in farm- 
ing. Two years later he sold out and re- 
turned to Ontario County, where for a time 
he sold stump-pullers; but, not meeting with 
success, he returned to Hastings, Michigan, 
and bought an interest in a general mer- 
chandise store, carrying on the business 
under the name of Fuller & Reed. One 
year later he sold out and went into the 
livery business. Soon after this he left for 
Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was en- 
gaged as book-keeper for nine months. He 
next returned to his old home and was em- 
ployed in a warehouse, and also bought 
grain. In addition to this he purchased ties 
for the New York, Lake Erie & Western 
Railroad. 

In December, 1884, Mr. Reed came to 




AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



531 



Santa Barbara, and in the January following 
he located in Carpenteria, bought a small 
house and lot, and rented and worked land. 
In September, 1888, he rented H. J. Laugh - 
lin's hotel, but after a nine-months trial he 
found the patronage was insufficient to make 
the business profitable. He then bought a 
half block and erected his present residence, 
and also engaged in cultivating prunes, nec- 
tarines and peaches, in a small way. Mr. 
Reed was appointed Postmaster in the spring 
of 1889; was also appointed Deputy Sheriff 
about the same time, by R. J. Bronghton, of 
Santa Barbara, then acting as Sheriff. 

Mr. Reed was married in Livonia, New 
York, in 1860, to Miss Frances E. Risden, a 
native of New York State. 



OLON SMITH, whose fine ranch lies at 
the northwest end of the Carpenteria 
^ Valley, was born in Hanover, New 
Hampshire, in 1842. In infancy his parents 
moved to Kendall County, Illinois, being 
then pioneers to that wild, unsettled West. 
Solon was there reared and followed farming. 
At the age of twenty-one years he came to 
California by the Isthmus route, landing in 
San Francisco in 1868. The following four 
years he passed in Nevada aud California, 
during the summer working at logging, and 
in the winter at farming in the Sacramento 
Valley. In 1868 he returned to Illinois, 
and was married at Joliet, Illinois, to Miss 
Amelia Bronk, who was born in Kerfdall 
County, same State, in 1846. Mr. Smith 
then followed fanning in Illinois until 1883, 
when he brought his family to California and 
settled on his present property in the Car- 
penteria Valley. He owns sixty-five acres 
of fine land, forty acres of which he plants 
yearly in Lima beans, and the rest is in liar- 



ley and fruit. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have 
three children; : Allen David, Lennis Leonard 
and Roy Solon. Mr. Smith is a worthy and 
respected citizen. 



Wa D. GATES, proprietor of the Santa 
wit Barbara Foundry, situated on Bath 
"^^* street, was born in Valparaiso, Porter 
County, Indiana, January 18, 1864. His 
father was a farmer and native of Ohio. His 
parents moved to Chico, California, in 1875, 
and to Los Alamos, Santa Barbara County, 
in L877. In 1878 Mr. L. D. left home, feel- 
ing that the occupation of a farmer was too 
narrow for his enterprising and inventive 
mind. He first went to San Francisco, and 
was there employed by the Pacific Rolling 
Mills. In 1879 he went to Sacramento with 
the Pioneer Flour Mill, and then with W. 
M. Guttenberger of the Sacramento Foundry, 
where L. D. learned the trade of machinist. 
He was there three years, then one year with 
the Mint Brass Works, in making; tools. In 
April, 1884, he returned to Los Alamos on 
account of illness of his father, and there 
established a foundry, remaining until 1886, 
when he came to Santa Barbara and pur- 
chased 100 feet front on Bath street, between 
Ortega and De la Guerra, and erected a ma- 
chine shop. He also built a foundry, where 
he makes all kinds of iron castings, as heavy 
as 1,500 pounds, and, should business require, 
as heavy as three tons. He is proficient in 
boiler-making, moulding, and with his natu- 
rally inventive mind is proficient in all me- 
chanical work. He has invented an attach- 
ment for burning oil, and a three-cylinder 
engine, making his own designs and castings. 
His first job in Santa Barbara was setting an 
engine of an electric light plant in Santa 
Barbara city, ne owns a fifty-acre ranch of 



532 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



valley 'and, and with his undoubted inventive 
mind is sure to succeed. 

September 1, 1890, Mr. Gates married 
Miss Emma Brooks, " a fair maiden of nine- 
teen summers past," and a resident of Santa 
Barbara. 



(R. L. NORTON DIMMICK was born 
September 29, 1823, in Bethany, 
Wayne County, Pennsylvania. His 
father, judge in one of the courts of that 
State, moved with his family to Vermillion- 
ville, Illinois, in 1833, and became one of 
the commissioners of La Salle County. Here 
the boy Norton received his early education, 
and commenced with Dr. Bullock the study 
of medicine, which he afterward pursued in 
Philadelphia, and later graduated from the 
Medical University of New York. He com- 
menced practice in Yermillionville, but soon 
removed to Freedom, Illinois, where he was 
married in November, 1853, to Elsie J. Nil- 
son, a native of Norway, who came to this 
country with her parents in early childhood. 
They had two children who died in infancy. 
Here overwork and exposure compelled his 
removal to Ottawa, about 1857, where he 
opened a drug store, and there, with his 
brother, Philo J. Dimmick, continued in 
business until 1872. His health, however, 
not improving, and having entirely lost his 
voice, he sought the genial climate of South- 
ern California and settled in Santa Barbara. 
Here he obtained a new lease of life, and 
after two years regained his voice and a 
measure of health that enabled him to live a 
quiet but useful life for twelve years. He 
built a borne, surrounded by a beautiful gar- 
den of rare, curious and interesting plants 
from many lands. There with his fine cabi- 
nets of conchological and geological speci- 



mens, and his many albums of sea algae, on 
which he was considered authority, made his 
home one of the most interesting places in 
Santa Barbara. The Doctor was a man of 
happy temperament, of clear judgment, and 
of a liberal public spirit, as our city library 
(of which he was a trustee) and other public 
interests will attest. He was also a member 
and Trustee of the Baptist Church. His death 
at the age of sixty years was as great a loss to 
to the city as to his many personal friends. Of 
a man so well beloved and so highly respected 
little need be said ; for while he lived, not to 
know Dr. Dimmick was not to know Santa 
Barbara. 

HAUNCEY HATCH PHILLIPS, of 

San Luis Obispo, was born in Wads- 
worth, Medina County, Ohio, July 5, 
1837, of English ancestry. He came, in 
1864, to California, being a passenger on the 
celebrated ship Constitution, and first located 
in Napa, and soon obtained employment in 
the banking house of Goodman & Co., where 
he remained five years, his services being 
satisfactory in a high degree to his employers. 
He held the position of Chief Deputy Col- 
lector of Internal Reveuue, for the Napa 
district, but soon removed to San Jose. where 
he received a re-appointment, and after the 
consolidation of the First and Second dis- 
tricts he made his residence in San Francisco, 
where he lived until November 30, 1871. 
His management of the Internal Revenue 
office at Napa, San Jose and San Francisco 
was distinguished by the most satisfactory 
settlements made with the Government, and 
also a correct and accurate system of detail 
work in his offices. In the fall of 1871 Mr. 
Phillips removed with his family to the town 
of San Luis Obispo, where he engaged in the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



533 



banking business with Horatio M. Warden, 
under the firm name of Warden & Phillips, 
which partnership continued for two years, 
when the firm dissolved. The Bank of San 
Luis Obispo was then organized, under the 
direction of Mr. Phillips, with a paid-up 
capital of $200,000. He filled the office of 
Cashier and also of president of this bank 
until 1878, when he resigned. During the 
great panic of 1875 the Bank of San Luis 
Obispo never closed its doors, as nearly all 
the banks in the interior had done. Since 
1878 he has devoted his energy entirely to 
real-estate interests, and his sale of Spanish 
grants and large private ranches, placed under 
his management, has been one conspicuous 
success. At various times he has purchased 
large estates and divided them into small 
lots, effecting a sale in a remarkably short 
space of time, and creating lively little set- 
tlements or towns in what was a vast tract of 
grazing country. Prominent among the 
transactions of this nature is the division of 
the Morro, Cayucos, Steele Brothers and Hner- 
Huero ranchos. In March, 1886, Mr. Phil- 
lips was one of the incorporators of the West 
Coast Land Company, an organization of 
which he is really the projector, and which 
company is doing on a larger scale only what 
business he did by himself a few years pre- 
vious. He is the manager of the company, 
but with the combined capital of many prom- 
inent men in San Francisco and also in San 
Luis Obispo, the company is able to negoti- 
ate larger tracts of land than can he success- 
fully accomplished by a private individual. 
He was married January 18, 1862, to Miss 
Jane Woods, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 
and they have the following children: Mary, 
now Mrs. Henry A. Sperry; Jane; Eliza, 
now Mrs. II. A. Vachell; Chauncey Hatch, 
Jr.; Josephine, Chester Delaney, and Nelson 
Burnhaui. Mr. Phillips is a man of fine 



physique and fine appearance. He takes 
great interest in matters affecting the public 
welfare of the city and county, and enjoys 
the highest confidence and respect of the 
community at large. Mr. Phillips has a 
residence at Templeton, but his permanent 
home is in San Luis Obispo. 



^.ENRY J. DALLY, one of the earliest 
pioneers to Santa Barbara County, who, 
alter a varied life upon the sea and 
land, visiting the ports of the world, came to 
this coast in 1843, and here he has since re- 
sided. He was born in New York city, 
March 22, 1815. His father, John Dally, 
was a sail-maker at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 
where Henry J. was early put to work. In- 
heriting the desire for a seafaring life, at 
the ago of eighteen years, in 1833, he went 
to New Bedford, and there shipped on the 
bark Winslow, a whaling vessel bound for 
the Pacific. On account of hardships, he, 
with eight companions, deserted at Cocas 
Island, near the equator; the island being 
barren, they lived for fifteen days on fish and 
sea-gulls. They were taken off by the ship 
Almira, of Oldtown, Massachusetts, and they 
remained with her for two years, leaving her 
at Peru. He then returned by ship to Nan- 
tucket Island, and thtn back to New York 
in 1837, after an absence of four years. 
Finding home life very tame and quiet, he 
soon longed for the excitement of the sea, 
and after a visit of fifteen days he went to 
New Bedford and shipped on the Pacific and 
New Brunswick, and until 1843 he followed 
a sea-faring life, visiting nearly all foreign 
ports and passing through many exciting ad- 
ventures. On the east coast of Africa, be- 
cause of trouble with a fellow sailor, he was 
nut on shore, in a land of supposed cannibals, 



534 



SANTA BARBARA, BAN LUIS OBISPO 



with a supply of three biscuit and a bottle of 
water. But he found the people friendly, 
and though suffering great privations, he 
finally shipped on a slave trader, a Moorish 
brig bound for Mozambique. After repeated 
changes of vessels and several trips to the 
east and west coast of Africa he started for 
Okotsk Sea in the North Facilic, on a whaling 
expedition, and being successful, returned 
and landed at Monterey, in 1843. Here he 
spent one year, then joined an otter company 
hunting down the coast; but, failing in that, 
he went to San Luis Obispo, where he took 
up the business of carpentering. 

In 1846 he was married to Miss Felicita 
.Rodriguez, at San Luis Obispo, where he 
continued the trade of carpentering until 
1848, when he was elected County Sheriff, 
and re-elected in 1850. He resigned, owing 
to the dangers of the business. In 1852 he 
went to Carpenteria and bought land and 
also kept a wayside inn until 1867, when he 
sold out and came to Santa Barbara, wheie 
he has since resided, following the trade of 
carpenter, cooper and boat builder. 

He has five children, all living. Though 
seventy-five years of age, he is hale and 
hearty, and having passed through the spec- 
tacle period his eyesight is now as strong as 
ever, having regained what is sometimes 
termed " second sight." 

m o t ii+f-iv I t t % ili-^i<li ta» 



M K. FISHER, who is a member of the 
fli City Council from the Fifth Ward, and a 
^r man largely interested in the progress 
and development of Santa Barbara, was born 
at Fisher's Summit, Bedford County, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1836. His father moved to that 
iocality in 1832, and established and named 
the town. The subject of this sketch left 
home in 1854, and as a butcher received a 



contract from the Huntington & Broad Top 
Railway to supply constructing parties with 
meats. In 1854 he went to Nebraska, and 
for two years speculated in lands in and 
around Omaha. Then for three years he was 
wagon master for Major Rossells & Waddell, 
and took charge of freight trains across the 
plains from Kansas City to Salt Lake City, 
carrying supplies and merchandise. In 1859 
he went to Colorado, and was engaged until 
1863 in mines, and speculating at Central 
City, Black Hawk, Delaware Flats and Den- 
ver. He was one of the pioneers to Boise 
City, Idaho, and helped lay out the town. 
Until 1867 he was engaged in mining aild 
speculating in Montana, Arizona and at Salt 
Lake City. In 1867 he came to L>s Angeles, 
and in 1868 to San Diego, where he ran 
hacks and did teaming about the city. He 
also had mining interests at Julian. In 1871 
he came to Santa Barbara in the employ of 
the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad, and in 1873 
he bought out the California Market on State 
street, where he has since been connected in 
business, having many outside interests. Mr. 
Fisher sold an interest in August, 1889, to 
Mr. More and Mr. Hollister, under the firm 
name of I. K. Fisher & Co. He also owns a 
half interest in a 670-acre ranch at the mouth 
of the Santa Ynez River, and one-half inter- 
est in a 226-acre ranch at Ortega. He also 
owns 270 acres near town, where he does 
some farming, and also keeps a fine stock of 
horses, about fifty head. He breeds the 
Richmond blood for speed and carriage driv- 
ing. He owns 419 acres on the Hondo 
Creek, which is fine grazing land. 

Mr. Fisher was elected to the City Council 
from the Fifth ward in 1884, and was re- 
elected in 1886 and 1888. 

Mr. Fisher was married in Santa Barbara 
in 1874, to Miss Lizzie Holmes, and of three 
children only one survives. Mr. Fisher has 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



535 



been a member of the I. 0. O. F. for twenty 
years. He is also a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and A. O. U. W. He is an owner 
and director of the Santa Barbara Water 
Company, and has many other interests in 
and about the city. 



*&*$* 



^HARLES H. McKEVETT, prominent 
jet as a business man of Santa Paula, was 
born in Cortland County, New York, 
October 3, 1848. His parents were born in 
the same State. His grandfather, Alexander 
McKevett, was born in Scotland and came to 
New York when a boy. Mr. McKevett com- 
menced work on his own account in the oil 
business in Pennsylvania, first for wages and 
afterward under contracts to drill wells, and 
still later in operating for himself. He fol- 
lowed the oil business in Pennsylvania and 
adjoining States successfully for twenty years, 
and by his enterprise secured a comfortable 
fortune; and then, desiring to secure a home 
in a more genial climate, he came to Califor- 
nia, in January, 1886. He visited different 
parts of the State and selected Santa Paula 
for a location, although at that time there was 
no railroad to that place. He purchased 425 
acres of the Bradley and Blanchard rancho, 
extending from near the center of town out 
into the country. Part of this he subdivided 
and sold. The remainder he has improved. 
Has now over sixty acres of both citrus and 
deciduous fruit trees; also thirty acres of 
e icalyptus. Mr. McKevett was one of the 
organizers of the Bank of Santa Paula, Janu- 
ary 17, 1888, of which he was vice presi- 
dent; George II. Bonebrake, President, and 
J. P. Ilaugh, Cashier. On September 23, 
1889, the bank was converted into the First 
National Bank of Santa Paula. Mr.Mc Kevett 
was elected president, which position he now 



holds. This bank has a paid up capital of 
$75,000, is the only national bank in the 
county, and is doing a good business. He 
was one of the organizers and president of the 
Santa Paula Lumber Company: this is now 
part of the Ventura County, Lumber Company 
of which he is a director. He is treasurer of 
the Santa Paula Fruit Packing Company, and 
is secretary of the Santa Paula Academy. 

Mr. McKevett is a member of the Univers- 
alist Church, is a Knight Templar and an 
Odd Fellow, and in politics is a Repu blican 
In 1873 he was married to Miss Alice Stow- 
ell, a native of Pennsylvania. They have 
three children, two of whom were born in 
Pennsylvania, and the third, a daughter, in 
Santa Paula. 



-~MgHHf^JH~. 

HOMAS McNULTA, the present City 
ips: Attorney of Santa Barbara, was born 
*w> at New Rochelle, New York, October 
8, 1845. He enlisted November 21. 1861, 
and served during the war of 1861- , 65 in 
the Fifty-third New York, Company D, 
Epineuil Zouaves, and the Sixty-second New 
York, Anderson Zouaves, and as Lieutenant 
and finally as Captain of a Tennessee militia 
company, formed from employes of the 
Quartermaster's Department at Nashville in 
the fall of 1864; and with the exception of a 
few months when he was disabled, was con- 
tinuously in the service until the close of the 
war in May, 1865. He is now a member of 
Farragut Post, G. A. R., at Yallejo, California. 
After the war he became Deputy Circuit 
Clerk of McLean County, Illinois, and served 
in that capacity about eighteen months, de- 
voting his spare hours to the study of the 
law, and literary and general educational sub- 
jects, and then entered the office of Weldon 
& McNulta, at Bloomington, Illinois, and 



53G 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBfSPO 



regularly pursued his legal studies with that 
firm for two years, and was admitted to prac- 
tice in the Supreme Court of Illinois. 

Shortly after his admission to the har he 
formed a partnership with his brother, Gen- 
eral John McNulta, and was associated with 
him as counsel for the Indianapolis, Bloorn- 
ington & Western Railway Company, and 
also the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Rail- 
way Company. 

Mr. McNulta was married in Bloomiugton, 
Illinois, in May, 1873, to Miss Georgia Rob- 
inson, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and re- 
moved to Santa Barbara in that year, where 
he has since resided. 

He was elected District Attorney in 1877; 
lias held the office of City Attorney by ap- 
pointment for four terms, and is now holding 
that position and engaged in the practice of 
his profession. 



— "*-'*j§*-5«~*$-» 



»|+i~- 



H^ENRY W. BAKER, one of the promi- 
nent ranchers of Saticoy, came to Cali- 
fornia in 1859, and to his present ranch 
in the fall of 1875. He was born in New 
Hampshire, December 28, 1828. His father, 
Davis Baker, was a native of that State, born 
about the year 1790. He was a faithful 
member of the Congregational Church, passed 
his life on a farm, and died in 1842. The 
ancestors of the family were English people. 
Mr. Baker's mother, nee Hannah Church, 
was a daughter of Mr. Elihu Church. Henry 
W. Baker was one of a family of nine chil- 
dren, seven of whom are now living. He 
received his education in the public schools 
of his native State, and his life has been 
principally devoted to agricultural pursuits. 
He purchased a farm in Lake County, Cali- 
fornia, in 1866, which he improved and on 
which he was engaged in general farming for 



nine years, raising both stock and grain. At 
the end of that time he sold out and went 
East on a visit. Upon his return to Califor- 
nia, he bought his present farm of forty acres, 
and has since added forty acres more to it. 
This property he has improved by building, 
tree-planting, etc. In his orchard he has 
apples, pears, peaches, apricots, prunes, figs, 
oranges and lemons. He is doing a grain 
and bean farming. 

Mr. Baker is a Republican and is one of 
the reliable and substantial men of Ventura 
County. His widowed sister, Mrs. Leavitt, 
keeps house for him. She is a member of 
the Congregational Church. 



A. PICO. — It is quite safe to say that 
jm there is not a family in California who 
9 has withal borne a more conspicuous 
part in the early settlement and history of 
the State than the Pico family. The name 
is familiar to the student of Southern Cali- 
fornia history. It has been the writer's priv- 
ilege to meet several members of this honored 
and historic family, and he can not fail to 
give expression here to a sentiment which is 
not only founded upon pleasant personal ac- 
quaintance, but is also expressed by those who 
have known the Pico family in times of war, 
times of peace, and under various trying 
vicissitudes incident to the settlement and 
growth of the Commonwealth. 

Don Jose Jesus Pico, of San Luis Obispo, 
is one of the aged surviving members of this 
family, born at Monterey, this State, March 
19, 1807. There he lived until 1840, when 
he moved with his family to San Luis Obispo 
and assumed the administration of the affairs 
of the mission at that place, which duty he 
discharged until the change of government 
took place. In 1847 he held the office of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



5:J7 



Alcalde of San Luis Obispo, and in all mat- 
ters civil, business and social, his expressed 
wish and opinions were accepted without dis- 
sent or question. He possessed a stont heart 
and a clear, keen judgment in matters of 
private or public policy. He later devoted 
several years to the care of his ranch and 
stock interests, and now lives in retirement 
in San Luis Obispo city. He has five sur- 
viving children. Mrs. P. A. Forrester, a 
widow lady, and Mrs. William J. Graves, of 
San Luis Obispo, are daughters. Benigno 
and Fredrico, of San Fernando, and Zenobia 
A., of San Luis Obispo, are the surviving 
sons. 

Benigno Pico was born in Monterey, March 
17, 1837, the third of the family. For some 
time he pursued the hotel business at Port 
Harford, and in 1877 went to San Fernando 
and opened the present well-known and popu 
lar Pico Hotel, which he still conducts. He 
is a popular landlord and a highly respected 
citizen. 

Zenobia A. Pico is a native of San Luis 
Obispo County, born in 1843, on the family 
homestead near the city, where the family 
lived from 1849 to 1868. He was first As- 
sessor of San Luis Obispo County for one 
term of two years, and then City Assessor, 
in which office he is now serving his third 
term. He married, March 8, 1868, Miss 
Mary Baxter, and they have three children. 

— -~ »6 * >"i '& <**■ — 

fl^ON. C. A. STORKE, a prominent citi- 
zen of Santa Barbara County, was born 
in 1847, in Yates County, New York, 
whence in early life lie removed with his 
parents to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he 
lived until the age of sixteen years, when, on 
February 28, 1864, he enlisted in Company 
G, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Regiment, under 

34 



Colonel Frank Haskell, who was killed at 
Cold Harbor. This regiment joined the 
Second Corps during the Wilderness cam- 
paign, under General Hancock, participating 
in the battles at Spottsville, North Anna, and 
at the terrible slaughter at Cold Harbor, 
where, out of four companies, sixty-nine per 
cent, were killed, and the rest captured. The 
prisoners were sent to Libby, Andersouville, 
Savannah and other prisons, suffering fright- 
fully from privations and exposure. Of the 
twelve men of his company, Mr. Storke 
helped to bury eight out of eleven, one hav- 
ing been paroled. He himself was reduced 
from 165 to 95 pounds weight during the 
seven months of his imprisonment, before he 
was paroled. He went home and was dis- 
charged May 26, 1865. He now prepared 
for college, passing three years at the college 
at Kalamazoo, Michigan, then going to 
Cornell, where he was graduated in 1870, 
taking the Goldwin Smith and the President 
White honors for the senior year. 

Among his classmates were Governor 
Foraker, of Ohio; J. Julius Chambers, of the 
New York World; Hon. T. W. Spence, of 
Wisconsin; Hon. S. D. Halliday, of the New- 
York Legislature and others of note. From 
Cornell Mr. Storke went to Brooklyn, where he 
taught for two years in the Adelphi Academy; 
thence he came to Santa Barbara to teach in 
the Santa Barbara College. After one year 
he went to Los Angoles, where he founded 
the Herald, but soon returned to Santa Bar- 
bara, and began the practice of law. In 1882 
he was elected to the Assembly, and served 
in the sessions of 1883 and 1884, and he was 
again elected in 1888. when he made himself 
a record by his work for the investigation of 
prison management. 

Since 1877 he has been connected with the 
Sespe liancho, Ventura County, then owned 
by his father-in-law, T. Wallace More, who 



5S8 



SANTA BAUBAltA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



was murdered there on March 24, 1877, the 
prosecution of his murderers engaging Mr. 
Storke's best efforts tor some four years 
thereafter. Of this rancho, 600 aeres are 
still owned by Mr. Storke, as well as 300 
acres of the Dos Pueblos Rancho, and con- 
siderable city property. 

Mr. Storke is a Knight Templar Mason 
and Vice- Post Commander, G. A. R. 

Mr. Storke was married in 1873, to Miss 
Mattie More, of Santa Barbara, by whom he 
had four children; and on September 10, 
1890, to Miss Yda Addis. 

APT A IN FRED IIILLARD was 
born iu Norwich, Connecticut, July 
^ 24, 1822. His mother was a Brew- 
ster, a direct descendant of the Elder Wil- 
liam Brewster who came over in the 
famous Mayflower. Fred Hillard spent 
his boyhood and received his education in 
his native town. At the age of nineteen 
he joined a whaling ship and for five years 
was before the mast, traveling extensively 
around the coast of Europe. At the end of 
this period he shipped to Chili and Peru and 
on the coast of South America. On this 
vessel he filled the position of fourth mate. 
He was on this coast until 1848, when he 
came to San Francisco, right in the heat of 
the gold excitement. Captain Hillard pro- 
ceeded at once to the mines near Sacramento, 
but was unsuccessful, and soon abandoned 
the search for gold. After disposing of his 
land claim at Sacramento, he was engaged 
on a freight vessel, sailing between San Fran- 
cisco and San Diego, and continued in this 
business until 1850. The steamship Ohio 
was then being operated on this coast, and 
Captain Hillard was engaged as fourth mate. 
In 1852 he was its captain. It was on this 



boat and during this year that Captain Hil 
lard first made the acquaintance of Captain 
John Wilson and family, who were on their 
way from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. 
Captain Wilson had with him at this time 
his entire family, consisting of Mrs. Wilson, 
one son and three daughters, one of whom, 
Miss Ramona Wilson, named after her 
mother, was subsequently married to Cap- 
tain Hillard. This marriage took place 
April 24, 1853, at the Osos ranch, near San 
Luis Obispo, the old family home of the 
Wilsons. To this worthy couple live chil- 
dren were born, viz.: Adelaida, Charles, 
Mary, John and Frederick. 

Captain Hillard's successful career as cap- 
tain of the coast steamers may now be said 
to have fairly begun. As captain of the 
Ohio and subsequently of the Seabird, Go- 
liath, Southerland and Fremont he acquired 
a reputation as a navigator which any officer 
then and of the present day might well be 
proud. In those days there were no light- 
houses of any description, no buoys of any 
kind, no pilot charts nor guides, all of which 
helps make navigation of the California 
coast a comparatively simple matter to the 
steamship commanders of the present day. 
During this period Captain Hillard brought 
his boats safely through many a perilous 
voyage, and it is not surprising when his in- 
timate knowledge of the coast and also his 
splendid qualifications as an officer are taken 
into acconnt, that he was known as the " best 
captain on the coast." 

Captain Hillard moved his family from 
the Osos ranch to San Francisco in 1882, 
where he resided until his death, which oc- 
curred May 5, 1890. 

When Captain Hillard married Ramona 
Wilson, he married into a family whom resi- 
dents of San Luis Obispo County love to 
think and speak of. Mrs. Hillard's mother 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES.' 



53:) 



was born in San Diego, July 29, 1812, and 
died December 16, 1888. She first married 
a Pacbeco, by whom she had two sons, one 
of whom is ex-Governor Paclieco, of San 
Francisco. Her second marriage was with 
Captain John Wilson, by whom, as was pre- 
viously stated, there were three daughters 
and one son. Mrs. Ramuna Wilson had 
hosts of friends wherever she lived and 
visited. Especially in San Luis Obispo, 
where she lived so lung, did the sick and 
poor often receive a helping hand from her. 
To quote from the eulogy of the distin- 
guished Father Dugan, who officiated at the 
funeral services of the deceased, '• through- 
out her life Mrs. Wilson always manifested 
that strong faith which is a distinguishing 
characteristic of her race, and it had conse- 
quently been her hope in life and consolation 
in death." 

Mrs. Hillard, the surviving widow of Cap- 
tain Hillard, inherits the many noble char- 
acteristics of her mother, to a very marked 
degree, and her frequent visits to San Luis 
Obispo from the family home in San Fran- 
cisco are always hailed with great satisfaction 
by the many who are so fortunate as to 
know her. 



I1ARLES H. SHELDON was born in 
Kalamazoo County, Michigan, June 9, 
1839, and is a descendant of an Eng- 
lish family. His grandfather, Timothy Shel- 
don, was long a resident of Gouverneur, St. 
Lawrence County, New York, and his father, 
Henry Sheldon, was a native of that place, 
born July 2, 1814. Mr. Sheldon's mother, 
nee Betsey Botsford, was born in Darien, 
New York, September 14, 1817, her ances- 
tors being English and Welsh. The subject 



of this sketch was the oldest of three children. 
He finished his education in the Gouverneur 
Wesleyan Seminary. Hisiincle, Robert Bots- 
ford, being a blacksmith, Mr. Sheldon, early 
in life, conceived a liking for that trade, 
learned it with his ancle, and has made it his 
life work. 

At President Lincoln's first call for troops, 
Mr. Sheldon enlisted; but, the quota of his 
State, Michigan, being full before he was 
mustered in, and being determined to engage 
in the great struggle, he went to Chicago 
and joined Battery C, Chicago Light Artil- 
lery. He went to Washington, where the 
Captain, Richard Bustead, Jr., was taken 
with inflammatory rheumatism. General 
Berry, then Chief of Artillery, went over to 
their camp on East Capitol Hill, and in- 
formed them that they were at liberty to join 
any branch of the service or go home, as they 
liked, the battery not having beet, mustered 
into the United States service. Mr. Sheldon 
then enlisted in the First New York Liirht 
Artillery, Battery G, and served three years 
without receiving a wound or being a day 
from duty. He participated in the following 
hattles: Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Au- 
burn Hill, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court 
House, Cold Habor, and several others; and 
during all this time he was blacksmith 
for his battery, shoeing all the horses and 
keeping every thing in repair. 

In 1875 Mr. Sheldon came to Ventura 
County, California, and, in partnership with 
Mr. Vickers built their present shop. They 
are also engaged in the manufacture of 
wagons and carriages, and are doing a 
thorough and reliable business. Mr. Shel- 
don owns a ranch of eighty acres, sixteen miles 
from town, which he is devoting, principal- 
ly, to the cultivation of orange trees, Washing- 
ton Navels. Water is fluined to this place. 



,-)40 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



He is also interested in bees, having 200 
stands on his ranch. 

In 1861, Mr. Sheldon was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Young, a native of England, by 
■whom he had six children, four born in 
Michigan, viz.: Frederick Henry, Emma C, 
Sarah S., Charles Leroy, and two born in 
Ventura County, Harriet E. and Maudie. 
Mrs. Sheldon having died in 1881, Mr. Shel- 
don was married, in 1883, to Mrs. Nellie 
Bradley, a native of Indiana, and daughter of 
Gabriel Newby, a Quaker of that State. 
Mrs. Bradley had two daughters, Edith R., 
born in Santa Barbara, California, in 1869, 
and Erne 1ST., born in Yentura, in 1873. Mrs. 
Sheldon is the owner of a good home in Ven- 
tura, in which they reside. The subject of 
this sketch is a member of the Ma.sonic fra- 
ternity; and was a charter member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, in Ventura. 
Mr. Sheldon is a respected and worthy 
citizen, and no man is more entitled to respect 
than he, who by honest industry makes a 
livelihood and a competency. 



IOVANNI ROCCO MAGGI was born 
in the State of Parma, Italy, January 
16, 1852, and came to Santa Barbara, 
California, in 1872. After remaining in that 
place three or four months and hearing of 
better business opportunities in San Luis 
Obispo, he came to this city, associating him- 
self with G. Divoto in the grocery and 
general merchandise business. This con- 
nection lasted seven years, at the expiration 
of which time he engaged in business for 
himself and has so continued up to the 
present. In 1871 Mr. Maggi made a visit 
to his old home in Italy, remaining there six 
months and then returning to New York and 
six months later to San Luis Obispo. Four 



years afterward he made another journey to 
Italy, this time bringing back with him to 
this country the remainder of his family. 
Mr. Maggi's parents, Pietro and Katrine 
Maggi, are both dead. Mr. Maggi is mar- 
ried and has six children, all living. He is 
a member and Vice President of Societa 
Unione Italiana of San Luis Obispo. 

||hURPIlY GRAVES, son of William 
J. and Soldat (Peco) Graves, was 
^tlw^ born in San Luis Obispo, August 5, 
1865. At his baptism in the Catholic 
Church (the mission) there were present as 
sponsors P. W. Murphy and Mrs. C. W. 
Dana. Mr. Grave* is one of a family of 
seven children, four sons and three daughters, 
all living and all prominent men and women. 
He a tended school in San Luis Obispo and 
later on in San Francisco. In the latter 
place he subsequently entered his father's 
law office, remaining there for three years. 
Mr. Graves is at present deputy County 
Clerk, a position he has held for five years. 
He is a charter member of the society of Na- 
tive Sons of the Golden West; is also a 
member of the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. 

Mr. Graves was married January 16, 1889, 
to Harriet Leland, of Watson ville, Santa 
Cruz County, daughter of Captain Richard 
Leland. 



H. REED, one of the popular photog- 
raphers of Santa Barbara, was born 
* at Buffalo Grove, Illinois, in 1848. 
His father came to that locality among the 
first pioneers in 1829, and devoted himself to 
farming. The subject of this sketch was 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



541 



educated at the State Normal School, Illinois, 
taking the regular teachers' course. He then 
took up photography, gaining his knowledge 
from actual experience through photographi- 
cal acquaintances and in attendance at photo- 
graphic conventions. He came to Santa Bar- 
bara in 1887 and established rooms at 928-J 
State street, where he has since conducted 
business in all kinds of interior photography, 
and his artistic tastes in scenic views is 
especially recommended. 

lie was married at Pontiac, Illinois, in 
1874. They have three children. 



ID WIN TAGGART was born in Sulli- 
van County, Pennsylvania, in the town 
of Montoursville, August G, 1852. He 
is the son of John P. Taggart, a native of 
Pennsylvania, who was an assistant surgeon 
on the first staff of General Grant, and for 
some years held the position of Internal 
Revenue Collector of Utah Territory. His 
death occurred November 22, 1889. Mr. 
Taggart's mother was nee Phebe Ann Wil- 
lets. She was married to Mr. Taggart in 
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and is the mother 
of two children, the subject of this sketch 
and a daughter, Emma, who is now the wife 
of Lieutenant Mumford, of the United States 
army. Mr. Taggart finished his education at 
Manuel Hall, Chicago. When he was six- 
teen years old, he was engaged for eleven 
months with a surveying party, in southern 
Illinois, making a railroad survey. At the 
age of seventeen, with a partner, he started 
in the drug business, in Salt Lake City. In 
1877 he sold his interest in that enterprise, 
and engaged in mining at Silver Reef, work- 
ing there a year and a half. He then went 
tu Wood River, Idaho, and mined with fair 
success. In L881 he came to California, 



located in Ukiah, Mendocino County, bought 
out the drug business of Dr. Barton Dozier, 
and remained there ten months. At that 
time he sold out and came to Ventura. He 
here bought the pioneer drug store of the 
city, which is located on Main street, between 
Oak and Palm streets, in the center of town, 
and which is the largest and best equipped 
drug house in the city. He employs two 
assistants, and has established a good trade. 
Mr. Taggart was married, September 11, 
1870, to Miss Virginia K. Pitt, of Salt Lake 
City. They have one child, John K., born in 
Salt Lake City, December 24, 1877. Mr. 
Taggart is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity, is a Republican in politics, and is pres- 
ident of the board of trustees of the Epis- 
copal Church of Ventura. As a business 
man he is prompt and capable, and as a citi- 
zen he is worthy and respected by all who 
know him. 



A. DUVAL is an early settler an ad 
prominent business man and rancher 
° of Saticoy, Ventura County, Califor- 
nia. He was born in one of the Windward 
Islands of France, September 14, 1834. His 
parents and all his ancestors were French 
people. Mr. Duval came to America when 
sixteen years of age, and has become thor- 
oughly identified with American principles 
and government. A part of his life was 
spent in the State of Maine. He came to 
California in 18C1, went to the mines in 
Nevada for three years, and was afterward in 
the grocery business, from Virginia City 
he came to Saticoy, in 1868. This country 
was then a vast Held of mustard. Mr. Duval 
purchased seventy-live acres of land, built a 
house, and al once commenced the work of 
planting trees. Some of the trees first 



542 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



planted have attained a wonderful growth. 
His land is now mostly devoted to fruit — 
apricots, peaches, plums, prunes, nectarines, 
apples, pears, figs, oranges, lemons, black- 
berries, almonds and walnuts. At the time 
he bought this property, land was sold at 
from $12 to $20 per acre. It is now worth 
from $150 to $500 per acre, according to the 
improvements made, Mr. Duval has dis- 
posed of a part of his land, but retains a fine 
home, where he resides; and in addition to 
his ranch interests he is also engaged in mer- 
cantile business. 

He was married, April 15, 1855, to Miss 
Artemisa G. Hopkins, who was born in 
Frankfort, Maine, daughter of Captain Smith 
Hopkins and Susanna Hopkins. Their union 
has been blessed with ten children, nine liv- 
ing, viz.: Charles S., Carrie, Winton, Ger- 
trude, Anna, Willie, Walter, Earnest and 
Edwin. The first three were born iu Maine, 
and the others in Saticoy, California. They 
are members of the Union Church of Sati- 
coy. In his religious views Mr. Duval is a 
Conditional Immortalist. Politically, he is 
a Pronibitionist. He is a public-spirited 
citizen, and is much interested in the upbuild- 
ing of his town. 

■ wu% » Iii; » gi« ■■» 

fC. ORTEGA, son of Stevan and Dogra- 
cia (Ruiz) Ortega, was born in Santa 
• Barbara, March 19, 1850. At the age 
of fifteen years he left home and came to San 
Luis Obispo to attend school and prepare 
himself for a business life. In 1870 he took 
charge of the express business of Wells, Fargo 
& Co., and also the Pacific Coast Stage Com- 
pany's business, remaining in that capacity 
until 1876. Mr. Ortega then engaged in the 
stationery business on his own account, con- 
tinning until 1885. Since that date he has 



been in the insurance and real-estate business. 
He was City Treasurer from 1870 to 1880, the 
only public office he has ever held, although 
requested at various times to accept nomi- 
nations. 

Mr. Ortega was married May 8, 1888, to 
Miss Mary Murphy, of San Francisco. They 
have one child. 



f[ L. CRANE. — Much credit is due to the 
I pioneers who came to this country when 
° it gave so little promise of being what 
it is to-day, who, with astonishing fortitude, 
spent years of labor and experiment, and who 
overcame the difficulties and discouragements 
that beset their way. J. L. Crane is one of 
these worthy pioneers, and is deserving of 
more than a passing mention in these pages. 
He was born in Sharon Township, Medina 
County, Ohio, June 17, 1839. His father, 
George W. Crane, was a native of Massachu- 
setts, and a pioneer of Ohio. He went to that 
State in an early day, took a Government 
claim of heavy timber land, cleared it up, 
reared a family of seven sons and one daugh- 
ter, and lived there until he died, in 1885. 
Mr. Crane's grandfather, Barnabas Crane, 
was a sea captain in summer and a school 
teacher in winter, and lived to be eighty-four 
years old. They trace their ancestry back to 
England. Some members of the family settled 
in Massachusetts before the Revolutionary 
war, and most of the Cranes of this country 
are descendants from that stock. The mother 
of the subject of this sketch, nee Louisa 
Briggs, was a native of New York, born in 
1815. She is now a resident of California. 
Mr. Crane received his education in the pub- 
lic schools of Ohio, and has been engaged in 
agricultural pursuits all his life. Before 
coming to California he sold his farm in Ohio 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



543 



to his brother, started in October, 1861, and 
arrived here in November. He came to his 
present location on the Saticoy ranch in 
December of the same year. His uncle, G. 
G. Briggs, came with him from Marys vi He, 
and bought 16,000 acres of the Moore Bro- 
thers, the price being $45,000. Mr. Crane 
had been married a short time before leaving 
Ohio, and to this ranch, in March, 1862, he 
brought his young wife. At that time it was 
a vast mustard-plant country. Their nearest 
neighbor on the west was ten miles away, 
and on the east, twelve miles. The only in- 
habitants of Saticoy were a few Indians. The 
country was full of game, and it was not un- 
usual to see bands of fifteen or twenty deer 
on the hills. One conld scarcely go out 
without seeing tracks of the grizzly bear. 
At that time it was thought that nothing 
could be raised without irrigation. Mr. Briggs 
brought nursery stock for his own use, and 
the next year 200 acres were plowed and 
planted. An orchard, containing a variety of 
fruits, was set out, the first attempt, of that 
kind in the country. They planted the first 
ten acres of corn grown without irrigation. 
Up to that time, Mr. Crane had been in the 
employ of his uncle. In the fall of 1862 he 
went to work for himself. That winter 
proved to be a short one, and the drouth of 
1864 caused Mr. Briggs to abandon the idea 
of colonizing the valley. Every one was 
discouraged and gave up the thought of stay- 
in- or the possibility of living in such a 
country. Mr. Briggs sold his ranch in 1867 
to K. B. Higgins. In 1864 Mr. Crane re- 
moved to Santa Barbara, and engaged in 
'ling school. The people of Santa Bar- 
bara at that time were so discouraged that 
they offered Land in what is now the hear! 

Of tin' city for $5 per acre. Alter remaining 
in that town ten mouths, he returned to the 
ranch and planted a quantity of potatoes. 



They were planted too late, however, and were 
killed by the frost. After six years of dis- 
couragements here they were heartily sick of 
California, and decided to go back to Ohio, 
which they did. They remained only ten 
months, and, after all, found that California 
had its attractions, and they were sufficient 
to induce them to return to this coast. They 
came with a firm determination to stay, and 
have never wanted to leave again. He re- 
sided in Carpenter ia seven years, was there 
at the time the county was divided, and has 
seen a wonderful change come over the Santa 
Clara Valley. Mr. Crane now has a farm of 
100 acres at Santa Paula. Twenty acres of 
this are in fruit trees of different kinds, 700 
pear, 300 apple, 100 plum trees, and all other 
kinds of fruit. 

Mr. ( 'nine'.- marriage occurred in 1861, 
when he wedded Miss Jenette Briggs, a fos- 
ter daughter of his uncle. She is a native of 
Massachusetts. They have five children, all 
born in Ventura County: Emmit ('.. April 6, 
1863; Lincoln P., September 28, 1865; Cora 
1... April 21. 1873: Charles, April 21, 1875; 
and Chancy, November 4.1877. The two 
oldest sons are merchants at Saticoy, and the 
other children reside with their parents. Po- 
litically, Mi'. Crane is a Free-trade Democrat. 



GEORGE G. SEWELL, residing near 
I r- Santa Paula, is a pioneer of California, 

• having come to the State in March, 
L851. and is also a pioneer of Santa Paula, as 
he arrived here in 1872. He has to the 
present been one of the mosl prominent ranch- 
ers, and occupies a most delightful suburban 
home, graced with vine-embowered retreats, 
ami ornamental trees and shrubbery, lie was 
horn in Glens Falls, New York, Februan 
1 - L9. His father. Jonathan Sewell, was a 



544 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



native of Dutchess County, New York, born 
in 1770, and was an early settler of Glens 
Falls. His ancestors, from England, first 
settled in the East, in the early history of the 
country. His mother, Wealthy Skinner, was 
born in 1780. in Connecticut. In their fam- 
ily were nine children, of whom George was 
the seventh. Five of this family are still 
living, their ages now aggregating 376 years. 
Mr. Sewell went to Wisconsin in 1844, 
bought a farm and cultivated it for six years; 
he then sold out and came to California, 
where he engaged in mining for a few months 
in Placer and El Dorado counties; but expos- 
ure to cold water induced rheumatism, which 
compelled him to abandon a miner's life, and 
lie located upon a section of State school 
land, on Auburn Ravine, near Lincoln, Placer 
County, on which he spent twenty years of 
his life as an industrious farmer. In 1868 
he was elected County Clerk of Placer 
County, and subsequently re-elected. He is 
a Republican, casting his first Presidential 
vote for William Henry Harrison, and his 
last for his grandson, Benjamin Harrison. 
Mr. Sewell sold his fine farm at the close of 
his term of office, resided at Sacramento for 
a few months, and then came to Santa Paula 
and purchased about 1,000 acres of valley and 
grazing land. Barley and corn being the 
principal productions of the valley at that 
time, his experience in Placer satisfied him 
that to grow small grain for the San Francisco 
market, entailing the expense of labor and 
machinery for harvesting and threshing, 
would not pay. He, therefore, at once stocked 
his ranch with sheep and hogs, principally, 
and by raising hogs enough to do the harvest- 
ing and save the threshing, and conveying to 
market the corn and barley grown on 200 to 
300 acres yearly, made his investment remu- 
nerative. The dry season of 1877 forced him 
to dispose of his sheep, but by growing two 



crops of barley and corn on land that could 
be irrigated, other stock did not siiffer. He 
after that engaged in dairying for five years, 
milking from fifty to seventy-five cows, mak- 
ing butter and cheese, which he found to be 
profitable. 

Recently he has subdivided his land and 
sold portions of it. His home place, one 
mile west of Santa Paula, contains sixty acres. 
Mr. Sewell has lived in four or five different 
States, and as many localities in California, 
and is best suited with his present place. 

He was married in 1849 to Miss Harriet 
Benedict, of Glens Falls. She lived only a 
year, and in 1858 Mr. Sewell married Eliza 
Rich, of Shoreham, Vermont, who was born 
in 1825, the daughter of Hiram Rich, of 
Richville, Vermont, which place was settled 
by and took its name from her grandfather. 
His brothers came from Massachusetts and 
settled there. Mr. and Mrs. Sewell are origi- 
nal members of the Universalist Church of 
Santa Paula. While at Lincoln, Mr. Sewell 
was a member of the Union League. 

— K*-wg*3ws-..>!»..~«— — 

f'f D. GOODYEAR was born in Tiffin, 
Seneca County, Ohio, October 23, 1825. 
° His father, Merritt Goodyear, and his 
grandfather, Joseph Goodyear, were both na- 
tives of Connecticut. His great-grandfather, 
Stephen Goodyear, came from England in an 
early day and settled in Connecticut, and was 
the ancestor of the Goodyear family in 
America. Charles Goodyear, the man of such 
noteriety as a rubber inventor, and whose 
name is stamped on nearly all the genuine 
rubber boots and shoes in the civilized world, 
was a cousin of Mr. Goodyear's father. The 
mother of the subject of this sketch, nee 
Fanny Smith, was born in the State of JS"ew 
York. She was the daughter of Zenas Smith, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



545 



who married a Marvin, niece of Marvin the 
great safe manufacturer of New York. Mr. 
Goodyear spent his early childhood in Ohio, 
and, at the age of seven years, went to New 
York State, where he remained until he 
reached his majority. He has been an in- 
dustrious man all his life, began work when 
he was quite small, and has been engaged in 
many different kinds of employment, and 
among other things, has worked in the red- 
woods of California. lie has been the owner 
of several pieces of property that have become 
very valuable since he parted with them. lie 
thinks the mistake of his life has been that 
he did not hold on long enough. Mr. Good- 
} - ear has learned wisdom through the years 
that are past, and it is his intention to keep 
the beautiful ranch which he now owns. In 
1887 he bought 120 acres of land. This 
property had been improved to some extent, 
and Mr. Goodyear has continued the work of 
tree-planting and improving and remodeling 
until the place is now a delightful and at- 
tractive home. There is a fine artesian well 
on the ranch. Mr. Goodyear's principal crop 
is corn. He also has a fine variety of fruit, 
and has given some attention to the raising 
of horses. 

The subject of this sketch was married in 
1851, to Miss Sophina Wright, a native of 
Illinois, and daughter of Peter Wright, who 
was a Kentuckian by birth. They have had 
ten children, six of whom are now living, 
viz.: Harriet, wife of Henry Root, resides in 
Oregon; Eugene, who married Miss Lizzie 
Paulson; Willie, who is at home with his 
father; Everett, now attending college at 
Berkeley; and Edward and Fanny, at home. 
Emma married Albert Coyle, and died in 
1 *-H'.'>, If -:t \ in- one clii Id. Emma. 

Mr. Goodyear was a Democrat until the 
organization of the Republican party, and has 
been a Republican since that time. The 



Goodyear family is one that has seen much 
of pioneer life, and can fully appreciate their 
comfortable home, which is situated in the 
beautiful Santa Clara Yalley, only three miles 
from Hueneme. Mr. Goodyear was a pioneer 
in the Territories of Wisconsin and Min- 
nesota, and voted for the admission of both 
into the Union. Himself, wife and children 
represent five States, by birth. 

" '^•♦^-St-fg-»-?t-i'-to« 



^T^ATTIIEW U. ARNOLD is a prom- 
"" / \f\il inent rancher of Yentura County, 
-^&- and a pioneer of California. A brief 
sketch of his life is as follows: He was born 
in DeKalb County, Illinois, February 16, 
1844. His father, Cullar Arnold, is a native 
of Ohio, born in 1818; has been a pioneer of 
California since 1849, and is now a resident 
of Orange, Orange County. The ancestors 
of the Arnold family came from Connecticut 
and Yermont. The grandfather's name was 
Nathan Arnold, and grandmother's name 
on father's side was Cutler. His mother's 
name was Hough. She was born in New 
York State, of ancestors who were from Con- 
necticut and Massachusetts. Burage Hough 
was her father's name and Alexander her 
mother's name. Cullar Arnold had nine 
children, of whom eight are living in Cali- 
fornia. Mr. Arnold, whose name heads this 
.-ketch, received his education in the public 
schools and at Oakland College, California, 
and, since leaving school, his time has been 
principally devoted to agricultural pursuits, 
lb- came to California in 1852, and to Yen 
t.iu-a County in November, 1868, and his 
'ion December, 1878. In No\ 

ember, 1869, they settled on what they sup 

1 " >vernment land ; but, on finding 

their mistake, hifl father and two of the sons 

bought 480 acres, and afterward Pie acr< 



54(3 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



more. Matthew H. purchased 320 acres, and 
to it has since added eighty acres. The first 
purchase was at $10.50 per acre and the 
last at $8.50. This land is now worth from 
$100 to $125 per acre. Mr. Arnold's prin- 
cipal crop has been barley, but the land is 
well adapted to the cultivation of other grains, 
and without irrigation. He derives a good 
income from the hogs, Poland-China and 
Berkshire, kept on this place. 

In 1877 Mr. Arnold wedded Miss Eliza 
Perkins, a native of Maine, daughter of T. 
E. Perkins, now of Los Angeles County. 
They have four children, all born at their 
present home: Ralph, Chester, Jo and Alice. 
In politics Mr. Arnold is a Republican. He 
was elected School Trustee when the district 
was formed, and held the office twelve years. 
He is a member of the A. O. U. W. 

When Mr. Arnold came to this ranch it 
was a wilderness of mustard, and there were 
only thiee or four board houses between there 
and the river, a distance of six miles. Since 
that time the settlement has been rapid and 
the improvement wonderful. The people 
who had faith in the future of the county and 
the courage to settle in it then, are now am- 
ply repaid. 



lsr ,HOMAS R. MORE, of Santa Barbara, 

fwas born in the village of Santa Bar- 
bara in 1856; attended college two 
years at Cornell University and two years at 
the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, 
in the scientific course. March 24, 1880, he 
married Miss Mary Den, and they have five 
children. Mr. More is a member of the 
Young Men's Institute and of the Native 
Sons of the Golden West. His father, T. 
Wallace More, was born at Copley, Summit 
County, Ohio, in 1826, and in 1849 came to 



California with his brother. He and his 
brother, Alexander P. More, owned the 
famous Santa Rosa Island, which contains 
nearly 70,000 acres, and over which graze 
60,000 sheep. T. Wallace More was married 
in Santa Barbara, in 1852, to a daughter of 
Mr. Hill, who was one of the earliest Ameri- 
can settlers in Santa Barbara. He married a 
daughter of the famous Ortega family. T. 
R. More lived on the Dos Pueblos ranch from 
1884 to 1889, looking after his fine-bred 
cattle and horses. While at Ann Arbor he 
was under the especial instructions of Professor 
Moses Coit Tyler, whose only son is married 
to Susie E. Den, a 6ister of Mrs. T. R. More. 
Mr. More is a poet, having just completed 
a long poem, which will shortly be published. 



|ROF. JOSEPH E. GREEN, the leading 
f musician of Santa Barbara, was born at 
' = K Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1846, of 
English descent, his grandfather being one 
of the first settlers of Ontario. Mr. Green was 
educated at Hamilton, and in early life devel- 
oped a decided talent for music, the cornet 
being his favorite instrument. At the age 
of ten years he was dressed in full uniform 
and a member of the Artillery Battery Band, 
and later, at the age of fifteen years, he trav- 
eled through the United States as soloist on 
the cornet. In 1867 he was leader of the 
Hamilton City Band, from which was formed 
the Thirteenth Battalion Band, which is 
recognized as the best band in Canada. 
Having a fancy for travel he left Canada in 
1863 as leader of the band connected with 
the Great Overland Circus, and for seven 
years, with different organizations, he trav- 
eled through the United States, Mexico and 
the Sandwich Islands. In 1875 he organized 
the San Francisco City Band, which was 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



547 



chosen to escort President Hayes across the 
bay on his visit to San Francisco in 1879. 
Mr. Green holds a musical diploma from the 
San Francisco Musical Fund Society. In 
1881 he returned to Ontario and became 
leader of the Dominion Organ and Piano 
Factory Band, remaining two years, making 
the hand the second best in Canada. lie re- 
turned to San Francisco in 1884, and to 
Santa Barbara in 1885, where he has since 
resided. He has organized an orchestra and 
Military Band, at present one of the best in 
Southern California, and for four years has 
catered to the guests of the Arlington in all 
dances and concert music, and has been the 
recipient of many presents and letters of 
commendation. 

Mr. Green was married at Santa Barbara, 
May 26, 1888, to Miss Orisa Clifton, a very 
superior pianist with great natural talent. 
They have one child, Charlotte, born Febru- 
ary 9, 1889. 



**<+ 



T. CODY was born in Onondaga County, 
New York, September 12, 1826. His 
'* parents were both natives of Edinburgh, 
Scotland, and came to America as early as 
1820, settled in Cicero and built the first 
frame house in that town. Their name, Mr. 
Cody thinks, originated in the north of Ire- 
land; if so, he is of Scotch-Irish descent. He 
has only one son. 

Mr. Cody was educated in Cleveland, Ohio, 
and graduated at the Willoughby College of 
Medicine, after which he engaged in the 
drug business in Zanesville, Ohio. From 
there he went to Cleveland and from there to 
Europe. He afterward made a second trip 
to Europe. He spent a portion of his time 
in Toledo, Ohio, and was also engaged in the 



drug business in Waukegan, Illinois, three 
years. In 1850 he came to California, first 
worked in the mines and had a trading station 
near Haugtown; next went to Mariposa 
County, and also had a trading station on the 
Merced River, being at that place during the 
severe winter of 1852-'53. From there he 
went to Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne County, 
and opened a drug store, and was in business 
there until 1864, when he went to Washing- 
ton Territory. He remained at the latter 
place a year and a half, and was in the drug 
business nearly all the time from 1856 to 
1890. He came to Ventura May 18, 1881, 
and bought his present store of Mrs. Simms, 
a sister of Judge Williams. Mr. Cody has 
erected the building in which his store is lo- 
cated, and is doing a nice business. He is 
also agent for Wells-Fargo & Company, having 
received his appointment as express agent on 
St. Patrick's day in the morning, and his 
wife took the telegraph office in July, 1882. 

Mr. Cody's first wife, who was the mother 
of his son, was nee Susan Adams, of Provi- 
dence, Rhode Island. Her father was a 
merchant in that city. The son, N. T. Cody, 
was born in Waukegan, Illinois, and three 
weeks later his mother died. Young Cody 
is now traveling in Europe, and writes home 
that the more he sees of Europe the more he 
loves America. In 1872 the subject of this 
sketch was united in marriage to his present 
wife. 

In many respects Mr. Cody is a remark- 
able man. Has never run for any office, nor 
has he ever joined any society. He does 
strictly a cash business; owes no man any- 
thing, either in his business or out of it. Tie 
is averse to lawsuits, and would rather lose a 
sum of money than bring suit in order to get 
payment. He is, withal, a jovial man, and 
none loves fun better than he. He both gives 
and takes a joke freely, and if there is any 



548 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJSf LUIS OBISPO 



fun going he is sure to know of it and have 
a share in the same. 



►3»-»f" 



IDWARD M. CLEVELAND was born 
in Fluvanna County, Virginia, July 19, 
1845. Both his^ father and grandfather, 
Jeremiah Cleveland, Sr. and Jr., were natives 
of Virginia. His mother, nee Sally Wills, 
was born in the same county, and his grand- 
father, Miles C. Wills, was also a native of 
the " Old Dominion." The subject of this 
sketch was the second of a family of nine 
children, eight of whom are now living, and 
he was reared and educated in Virginia. 
When the great civil war commenced Mr. 
Cleveland was only sixteen years old. In 
1863, when the need of the South for soldiers 
became great, at the age of eighteen, he en- 
listed in the Fluvanna Artillery, under Cap- 
tain Massey, in Colonel Nelson's battalion. 
He was in many skirmishes and in the bat- 
tles of Kelley's Ford and Winchester. In 
the latter a twelve-pound cannon ball wounded 
him in the back part of the leg, near the 
knee, carrying away a portion of the flesh 
and injuring the cords. He was crippled 
and in Harrisonburg prison hospital twelve 
days; was considered unfit for service and 
was permitted to return home. 

After his recovery he worked on his 
father's farm, and later rented 400 acres of 
grandfather Willis, which he farmed for five 
years. He was next employed as a clerk in 
a general merchandise store with his uncle, 
A. S. Burgess, of Central Plains, and the 
following year he came to California. He 
purchased seventy-five acres of choice land 
at Santa Paula, which he has improved and 
where he has made a very pleasant home. 

In 1879 Mr. Cleveland was married to 
Miss M. J. Fowler. She was born in Indi- 



ana in 1855, and is the daughter of Mr. 
Welcome Fowler, of Indiana. Mrs. Cleve- 
land is a member of the Christian Church. 
Mr. Cleveland is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
and in politics affiliates with the Democratic 
party. 




D. F. RICHARDS, founder of the 
town of Saticoy, was born in Fair- 
Q field, Herkimer County, New York, 
March 8, 1838. His father, Benjamin 
Richards, was a native of the same State, 
born June 30, 1800. Mr. Richard's grand- 
father, Joseph Richards, was born in Con- 
necticut, and was a soldier all through the 
Revolution. His mother, Hepsey (De 
Forest) Richards, is a native of the State of 
Connecticut, was born June 20, 1800, and is 
still living in Oneida County, New York. 
She was the granddaughter of Joseph De- 
Forest, a Huguenot, who fled to America to 
escape persecution in France, his native land. 
He bequeathed the DeForest fund to Yale 
College for the education of any of the De- 
Forest name. Mr. Richards, our subject, 
was the sixth in a family of nine children, only 
four of whom are living, and was educated at 
Fairfield Academy, one of the oldest institu- 
tions of the kind in New York. He came to 
California in 1868, and bought 650 acres of 
land, where he now resides. He was one of 
the first to raise flax-seed, of which he raised 
over 100 tons on 200 acres of his land; he was 
also a pioneer in the raising of canary seed, 
raising 3,000 bushels in one year, and selling 
it at from three to five cents per pound. He 
is now farming a portion of his land to Lima 
beans and 100 acres has been set the present 
year to English walnuts. Mr. Richards had 
the town plat of Saticoy recorded March 25, 
1887. He has since sold many lots, and 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



549 



there are many pleasant homes in the town. 
The station is within half a mile of the town, 
and they have an abundance of good water 
and a handsome Presbyterian Church edifice, 
of which Rev. J. M. Crawford was the first 
pastor, and the Rev. Dr. Bowman present pas- 
tor. Mr. George R. WalJen is the obliging 
postmaster and druggist, and they have two 
hotels and a blacksmith shop, three general 
stores, one dentist and two physicians. The 
town is in the center of the Santa Clara Val- 
ley, surrounded by a wide stretch of rich level 
land, as choice as any in the State; it is lo- 
cated about half-way between Ventura and 
Santa Paula. The name Saticoy in the 
Indian language is equivalent to Eureka 
(Greek for "I have found it") in the Eng- 
lish language, and is a very appropriate name 
for the town. 

Mr. Richards was married October 4, 1877, 
to Miss Carrie Leavens, a native of Trenton 
Falls, Oneida County, New York, and a 
daughter of Hamilton Leavens, of that State. 
Mr. Richards is a Republican and a prominent 
citizen of Ventura County. 

*°*~" , % *' 3 » t| » ? ! » ■«»■ 



Wm P. GRANT, a Ventura rancher. When 
•,,/V tne Americans began to settle at Ven- 
-3^° tura the whole face of the country 
was covered with mustard plants so tall and 
thick that one could scarcely ride a horse 
through it — indicating that the soil was of 
the best quality. The town was then a 
Spanish village. The American seeking a 
productive soil was allured by the rich al- 
luvium and delightful climate of this reahm. 
Dr. Voor.nan had come to Ventura, and, be- 
ing acquainted with Mr. Grant, informed him 
of the fine opening at Ventura, and Septem- 
ber, 29, 1869, Mr. Grant arrived in the 
town, where he has si net; made his home and 



met with success so satisfactory as to render 
him content. 

Mr. Grant is a Master Mason and belono-s 
also to the Chapter and Commandery, having 
passed all the chairs. He is Past Master and 
Past High Priest, and is now tilling the sec- 
ond office in the commandery. He has also 
held the office of District Deputy in the Odd 
Fellows order for seven years, and is a charter 
member of the A. O. U. W. and K. of P., 
and is a member of the A. L. of H. Politi- 
cally he has been a steady Republican. Re- 
cently he was appointed by Governor Water- 
man a member of the commission to locate 
the new insane asylum. In his manner he 
is genial and unassuming, and in his general 
character a very practical man. 



fARRETT T. RICHARDS, one of the 
leading members of the Santa Barbara 
bar, who came to Santa Barbara in 1868 
has materially assisted, by counsel and action, 
in its development and in securing for it a 
sound city government. He was born at 
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in 1842. His 
father, John Cnstis Richards, was born in 
Baltimore, Maryland, June 1, 1812. His 
ancestry were of Welsh origin. His errand- 
father was the Rev. Lewis Richards of 
Glamorganshire, Wales, who was sent to 
this country as a missionary about the latter 
part of the last century by Lady Huntingdon, 
and who married Miss Custis of Virginia. 
The early education of Jarrett T. Richards 
was in Chambersburg; at the age of seventeen 
years he went to Europe, spending two or 
three years of student life in Switzerland and 
Germany. He began the study of law in 
1864, at Chambersburg, under a preceptor. 
In the summer of that year the town was 
destroyed by a detachment of the Rebel 



550 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



army, and in the ensuing fall Mr. Richards 
went to New York, and entered the'Columbia 
Law School, graduating in 1866, taking the 
second prize in municipal law. After gradu- 
ating he entered the office of Brown, Hall & 
Vanderpool, remaining about one year. He 
then went to Erie, Pennsylvania, v here he 
began the practice of his profession, and was 
also the political editor of the Daily Re- 
publican, during the impeachment of Presi- 
dent Johnson. After one year at Erie, being 
in delicate health, his friends persuaded him 
to come to California. He settled at Santa 
Barbara in the autumn of 1868, immediately 
opening a law office, and has been continu- 
ously in practice of his profession ever since, 
devoting himself principally to the civil 
branch of the science. 

In 1872 an attempt was made by the Cali- 
fornia Atlantic & Pacific Railroad to obtain 
a subsidy from San Erancisco and the South- 
ern counties of California, and particular 
efforts were made to obtain a donation from 
the county and the town of Santa Barbara. 
Mr. Richards was of the opinion that it 
would be disastrous to saddle an indebtedness 
upon the community when there was no 
positive assurance afforded that the road 
would ever be built, and the results have 
sustained the conviction. Even after San 
Francisco had declined to give any aid, it was 
attempted, nevertheless, to obtain a subsidy 
from Santa Barbara, many prominent citizens 
who acted in good faith in favoring it, believ- 
ing that the prosperity of the community 
depended upon securing railroad facilities. 
Mr. Richards opposed it with all possible 
ardor and energy, and became interested in 
the Santa Barbara Times, which he edited 
for that purpose, and the proposition was de- 
feated. The Board of Supervisors — Thomas 
R. Bard, of Ventura; Thomas W. More, of 
Santa Barbara; John Edwards, of Santa Bar- 



bara — refused to place the question before the 
people. The feeling was very bitter and 
colored the complexion of politics for a long 
time. In 1875 Mr. Richards was elected 
Mayor of Santa Barbara. While in office he 
conceived the system of having city warrants 
bear a reasonable rate of interest, pending 
the existence of a large floating indebtedness, 
which put city scrip at par and established 
its credit until the indebtedness was finally 
liquidated. In 1879, at the first State con- 
vention held after the adoption of the new 
constitution, Mr. Richards received the 
nomination of the Republican party as one 
of the Justices of the Supreme Court. There 
were four parties in the held, two of which, 
the Democratic and Workingmen's party, 
combined upon the judiciary ticket, and thus 
secured the defeat of the Republican judi- 
ciary ticket, with the exception of Judge 
Myrick. 

Mr. Richards is opposed to monopolies, the 
combination of capital and centralization of 
governmental power, but he is no longer in 
active politics, attending simply to the duties 
of his profession. 



tN. KIMBALL is one of the prominent 
ranchers of Saticoy, Ventura County, 
„ * California. He was born at West 
Boxford, Essex County, Massachusetts, Sep- 
tember 17, 1843. His father, C. E. Kimball, 
was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 
1818. He was a shoemaker and a farmer. 
Mrs. Kimball, the mother of the subject of 
this sketch, was nee Hannah Tyler, born in 
Boxford, Massachusetts, in 1817. She was 
a daughter of Flint Tyler, a native of the 
State of Vermont. C. N. Kimball was the 
second of a family of seven children, all of 
whom are living at this writing. He was 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



551 



1 eared and educated in his native place, and 
his first work was as a machinist. His coun- 
try's claim in its time of need caused him to 
enlist, and he was placed in unattached 
service on the coast of his native State, doing 
duty in the fortifications. He was mustered 
out on the 4th of July, 1865. Then for two 
years he worked in the factories of Lynn and 
Haverhill, engaged in the manufacture of 

7 © o 

shoes. 

December 31, 1867, Mr. Kimball sailed 
from New York for California, at which 
place he arrived January 22, 1868. He 
accepted a position on the Central Pacific 
Railroad, remaining in railroad employ nine 
months. On Christmas of that year he came 
to Southern California, and bought a band 
of sheep which he took to Eastern Nevada 
and traded for a ranch in Lamoille Valley. 
He there engaged in farming, raising pota- 
toes and barley; and from that place he went 
to Eureka, same State, where he burned char- 
coal for the smelting furnaces. After he had 
been there a year and a half he was taken 
sick with pneumonia. At that time he re- 
turned to California, and worked near Gilroy 
two years. In 1876 he came to his present 
locality and purchased seventy-five acres of 
land. Here he has built a tasteful home and 
planted trees and flowers, making a very at- 
tractive place. In farm products his specialty 
is Lima beans, which proves to be a bonanza 
for many of the farmers of Saticoy. Mr. 
Kimball's crop la.-t year averaged 1,600 
pounds to the acre, the price being from 
three to four and a half cents. 

Mr. Kimball was married in February, 
1884, to Miss Carry Duval, a native of the 
State of Maine, and a daughter of E. A. Du- 
val, a prominent citizen of Saticoy, whose 
history appears in this book. One child, a 
daughter, born October 4, 1888. died No- 
vember 4, 1889. Mrs. Kimball is a member 



of the Union Church. In political views 
Mr. Kimball is a Republican. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., is a good citizen and a 
man of worth and integrity. 

— ~^f~^~f»*-*>. — 

C. REMICK, son of Samuel Remick, a 
native of New Hampshire, and nee 

^ Q Olive Norton, of Massachusetts, was 
born in Anson, Sunset County, Maine, July 
7, 1848. He remained at home, receiving a 
careful education, until the year 1868, 
when he came to San Luis Obispo Countv, 
California. March 16 of that year he was 
engaged on the Huer-Huero ranch as a ranch- 
man, and June 1 of the same year assumed 
the entire charge of the work on this place. 
This vast property of 44,000 acres was owned 
by Flint Bixby & Co., and was devoted en- 
tirely to the raising of sheep. Young Remick 
did not, however, remain long on this place, 
and was soon after engaged to take charge of 
the Nacimiento ranch, at the same time also 
being engaged in the livery business and 
mail contracts in the city of San Luis Obispo. 
In 1875 he purchased a sheep ranch and 
leased it. Later on he stocked it with cattle, 
and met with the same misfortune that every 
one did in the dry year that followed. He 
then sold out all of his cattle interests and in 
the spring of 1878 established himself in the 
business of buying and selling meat, produce, 
cattle, wool, etc., and shipping to San Fran- 
cisco, with headquarters at San Luis Obispo. 
This business has assumed large proportions 
and, in Mr. Remick's hands, is at present 
very successful. 

Mr. Remick was married April 15, 1S74, 
to Elizabeth J. Orr, of Detroit, Michigan. 
They have four children, two sons and two 
daughters. The family have been living in 
the city in their present residence since 1S77. 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Three times Mr. Remick has been elected 
City Councilman, and for six years he has 
served as School Trustee. Socially he is 
affiliated with the Masonic lodge, the Odd 
Fellows and the Workingmen's Society Mr. 
Remick has taken an important part in the 
operations of the San Luis Obispo Paving & 
Improvement Company; has been interested 
in the bituminous rock business for some 
time, and has been instrumental in the open- 
ing and extension of the city streets, at vari- 
ous times. 

A remarkable fact in connection with this 
Remick family is its longevity. Mr. Remick 
had ten brothers and sisters, and such w T as the 
splendid constitution of each member that 
there was not a death for a period of forty- 
two years. The father of this family is now 
living, aged seventy-seven. The mother is 
deceased. 

«^_, h jSLi,-? + 4iHiJ§ + ,, t - > o. 

JKS AITE GEKRY came to Ventura in 
fffll September, 1873. He was born in 
F=P^r! New York in 1824, the son of Eu- 
roclydon and Pauline (Avery) Gerry, the for- 
mer a native of Hatfield, Massachusetts, and 
the latter of New York. His grandfather's 
name was Nathan Gerry. His maternal an- 
cestors were English and Welsh, and one of 
them, Benjamin Waite, was the hero of Hat- 
field, Massachusetts. Mr. Gerry's parents 
had two children, a daughter and son, the 
former being now the wife of Mr. Burr, of 
New York. Mr. Gerry received a common- 
school education and completed his studies 
in Williston Seminary, Massachusetts. The 
principal part of his life has been devoted to 
agricultural pursuits, but for a time he re- 
sided in Pennsylvania, where he ran a saw- 
mill and conducted a store. He also spent 
some time in Indiana. In 1864 he crossed 



the plains with Major Bridge, and after re- 
turning he emigrated to Cass County, Mis- 
souri. Having a love for pioneer life, he 
continued his way westward, and engaged in 
mining in Utah, and after returning from 
this trip he came to California in 1872. For 
a time he was employed in Oakland, after 
which he came to Southern California and 
worked at Los Angeles for the telegraph 
company. From Los Angeles he went to 
San Bernardino, and from there he made an 
overland trip to Reno, Nevada, to see the 
country. 

In 1873 Mr. Gerry sent for his family to 
come to Yentura Cour. ty, where he had rented 
a farm from Mr. William Collins. On this 
ranch of 550 acres they lived a year and were 
very successful. The next year he removed 
to Saticoy, leaving his family in Yentura, 
where they had built a home on a lot he pur- 
chased. Mr. Gerry engaged in farming, in 
company with J. L. Starr, in Aliso Canon, 
and also kept a small apiary. In 1880 he 
purchased seventy-five acres of choice land at 
$22 per acre. On this property he has built 
a good house, planted trees, and the place 
has become valuable, b^ing rated at $200 per 
acre. The principal crop raised on this ranch 
is beans, but it also produces corn and fruits. 
The land yields 3,500 pounds of shelled 
corn to the acre, and as high as 2,500 pounds 
of beans per acre. 

Mr. Gerry was married in 1850 to Miss 
Ester Craig, who was born in Pennsylvania, 
May 12, 1827. Her father, John Craig, was 
a native of Russia; came to America in 1817, 
and settled near Scranton, Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Gerry's family consists of six children, 
four daughters and two sons, namely: Mary 
E., born in New York, September 2, 1851, 
and is now the wife of J. L. Stone, of Los 
Angeles; Eva P., born in Pennsylvania, 
April 5, 1854, wedded Mr. A. Everett, of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



55S 



Saticoy; Isabell G., born in New York, Feb- 
ruary 17, 1857, now the wife of J. S. Col- 
lins, of Ventura; LacettalL, born in Indiana, 
April 24, 1861, now tbe wife of George E. 
Preble, of Tustin City, Orange County, Cali- 
fornia; Ellsworth E., born February 4, 1863, 
in Indiana,' is now renting the home ranch; 
Edmund W., born April 2, 1868, in Missouri. 
Mrs. Gerry and the family, save one, are all 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Ells- 
worth and Edmund are members of the Y.M. 
C. A. Mr. Gerry has been a Republican, 
but he and his sons are now Prohibitionists. 

-— Shhh3n~ — 




J. BARBER.— A brief biographical 
sketch of the life and career of the 
Hon. P. J. Barber, and incidents in 
connection therewith, from the pen of an 
old friend, by whom it is dedicated. 

The early home of his parents discloses 
the fact that he 6prang from staunch New 
England stock, their ancestors having emi- 
grated from old England. Those on his 
mother's side arrived in 1634, and were 
among the first settlers of Newbury, Massa- 
chusetts. 

His father, Thomas Barber, was born in 
Canton, Connecticut, in 1773. His mother 
was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, in 1781: 
her maiden name was Percy Merrill; they 
were married in 1797 and reared a large fam- 
ily, the youngest of whom — the subject of 
this sketch — was born in Nelson, Portage 
County, Ohio, in 1830, to which place his 
parents emigrated in 1820, the journey being 
made with ox teams in forty five days, that 
being a remarkably quick trip. The Western 
Reserve, or New Connecticut, as it was then 
called, was but sparsely settled, there being 
less than two families to the 6quare mile in 
the township, and in some instances three 

36 



miles distant from each other, the whole face 
of the country being a dense forest except 
little clearings around the rude log houses 
which protected the pioneers and their fami- 
lies from the winter storms, as also from 
the wild beasts; for in those days wolves 
and bears were numerous and dangerous. 
Deer, turkey and other game were in abund- 
ance, and were brought down by the rifleman 
when desired for food. At this time the war- 
whoop of the savages had scarcely died 
awa} - , and civil government was in a chaotic 
condition. 

Mr. Barber's father, when in his prime, 
was a powerful man, and with his oldest sons 
battled with the world against adverse cir- 
cumstances: forests were cut away, crops 
planted, and, with a devoted wife and mother, 
every effort was made to establish a com- 
fortable and happy home in the then far West. 

It was indeed discouraging to them when, 
after many months of toil in securing their 
first crops, and, just as a severe winter had 
set in, to have it entirely destroyed by fire, 
together with a large barn: some of their 
animals and all their farming utensils, and 
their year's subsistence and the wherewith 
to 6ave the family from suffering was not at 
their command. During the burning of the 
barn an older brother came near perishing in 
the flames. 

In 1828 sickness entered the family 
circle, and within fifteen months five brothers 
and sisters were laid in their graves. These 
were crushing blows to their devoted mother, 
and few if any at this period have the forti- 
tude to bear up under such trials and afflic- 
tions. 

Mr. Barber's father died in 1848, his mother 
in 1849, and before the close of 1869 nine 
more brothers and sisters had gone to their 
long homes, Mr. Barber being the only sur- 
vivor of that once large and happy family! 



",54 



SANTA B ARE ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



He can speak in the most glowing terms of 
the honesty, integrity and patriotism of his 
father; of his struggles with the Tories during 
the war of 1812, when the devoted amongst 
them prayed for the prosperity of their dear 
Mother England, that she might come off 
conqueror in the war, many of the populace 
at that time proposing to volunteer and go 
to Washington and massacre the heads of 
the Government! He raised a company of 
volunteers to go to the frontier, hut was 
thrown from his horse on the morning he 
was to start and his shoulder was broken in 
the fall, thus disabling him for service, — 
from which injury he never fully recovered. 
May it not be said that the love of liberty 
and country has in a measure been handed down 
to the posterity of that old patriot, Thomas 
Barber? * 

Mr. Barber, the subject of this sketch 
received his education in the common schools 
(that were poorly organized and equipped 
at that time), except an academic term in 
Windham, Ohio, where he served an ap- 
prenticeship as cabinet-maker, commenc- 
ing at the age of seventeen; previous to 
that he had worked on his father's farm, 
where malaria was prevalent, which was the 
priiue cause of his leaving home. After 
acquiring such information of the business 
as was possible in a country shop, he en- 
gaged himself to a firm in Cleveland, Ohio, to 
perfect himself in his occupation, returning 
to his home late in 1851, after finishing his 
apprenticeship. Previous to this he resolved 
to strike for something more exalted and had 
devoted much of his spare time in the rudi- 
mentary studies of architecture and building. 

At this time the California gold excite- 
ment was running high, and being of an en- 
terprising disposition assisted in making up a 
party from the neighborhood to go there, 
among whom were Colonel E. C. Smith, 



Ebin Earl, L. V. Hopkins, Prof. J. W. Pike, 
Mr. Ives and some six or eight others 

The party started for New York on the 
11th of February, 1852, having through 
tickets from there to San Francisco, on what 
wap claimed an independent line of tteamers. 
They had passage on the steamer United 
States to Chagres, thence by small boat up the 
river to the head of navigation, and thence 
on mules to Panama. Much to their disap- 
pointment there was no steamer to take 
them to their destination, and after many 
days' delay they finally secured passage on 
the ship Clarissa Andrews, afterward known 
as the " floating coffin," which made the voy- 
age in sixty-five days, arriving in San Fran- 
cisco May 22, 1852. One of their party, 
Barnns Ives, became delirious from sickness 
contracted in Panama, and on the seventh 
day out threw himself into the ocean and 
was drowned, all efforts to rescue him prov- 
ing fruitless. During the voyage sixteen of 
the passengers died, chiefly in consequence of 
bad water (imperfect evaporations from the 
salt sea water) and from the insufficiency and 
poor quality of food, from which innumer- 
able insects, etc., would endeavor to escape 
when it was broken open to be eaten! Nearly 
all the passengers were put on short allow- 
ance after the first day out from Panama. 
Those were times that tried men's souls; 
for many days death stared in the face the 
ill-fated passengers of that unseaworthy old 
vessel, it having been their choice to accept a 
passage on her rather than longer hazard 
their lives in that malarious region around 
Panama, where there were over nine thou- 
sand detained emigrants, many of them not 
knowing how they could escape. It was a 
touching sight as day after day they saw 
their shipmates dropped into the ocean to 
become food for the sharks that were seldom 
out of sight froin the ship. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



555 



Fearing the loss of his health, Mr. Bar- 
ber decided to remain in San Francisco for a 
time, but the majority of his comrades pro- 
ceeded at once to the mines. From the 
time of his arrival until August, the same 
year, he worked at his trade, — for which he 
still harbored a dislike, — when he proceeded 
to Marysville, and soon after invested in the 
Mammoth Joint-stock Quartz-mining Com- 
pany, on Jamison Creek, some 100 miles 
into the mountains, where, during the terrible 
winter of 1852-'53, the snow lay from three 
to ten feet deep, in which the company's 
pack-train of sixty-six animals all perished, 
and the machinery and provisions for the 
mill, with which they were loaded, were scat- 
tered through the mountains and lost. This, 
with the fraudulent transactions of those left 
in charge of the mine and mill during the 
months that the property was inaccessible, 
caused a failure of the company, and with 
this a total loss of t'ie most of Mr. Barber's 
earnings up to this time. 

While in Marysville he was taken sick with 
a fever, and for many days his life was de- 
spaired of. When convalescing, the hotel 
where he was stopping was burned and he 
came near losing his life, having his clothing 
and hair burned as he escaped through the 
flames. He finally recovered so that in De- 
cember he was able to return to San Fran- 
cisco, where he took up and followed the 
carpenter and joiner business and the study 
of architecture, except a portion of two 
seasons when he farmed near Oakland. 

Returning early in 1856 to San Fran- 
cisco, he worked for wages a short time, 
when he commenced contracting for build- 
ing«i of all classes, which he followed quite 
successfully until late in 1808, being his own 
architect on many buildings which he erected, 
and also for others on which he was archi- 
tect and superintendent. In 1808 he suf- 



ered a loss in having a large brick building, 
upon which he had a contract, thrown down 
by an earthquake. In 1850 he made the 
acquaintance and gained the confidence of 
Reuben Clark, an eminent architect, — espe- 
cially in the constructive branch, — from , 
whose plans the beautiful State Capitol, at 
Sacramento, was erected. The wise coun- 
sels of Mr. Clark and his lessons in archi- 
tecture have been a source of great profit to 
Mr. Barber from that time to the present, he 
having followed the profession constantly 
since 1868. 

Besides the buildings in San Francisco 
which he planned, he was also architect on 
nearly all the principal buildings in Santa 
Barbara, such as the county court-house, the 
Santa Barbara college (now the San Marcos 
Hotel), the Arlington Hotel, the Presbyte- 
rian church, the old Methodist and Con- 
gregational churches. Clock building. First 
National and Commercial Bank buildings. 
Crane's Hall, theatre, Third and Fourth Ward 
school-houses; also those at Lompoc, Car- 
penteria, Santa Ynes and other places; many 
stores and fine dwellings, as that of Caspar 
Ovena, Thomas F. Dibblee, Captain Moore, 
John Edwards, Captain Greenwell, Mrs. Lucy 
Brinkerhoff and many others; and later on, 
with his partner, the annex to the Arling- 
ton, the Hawley block, Cottage Hospital an- 
nex to the Clock building and the three-story 
stone-front building adjoining the latter. 
Mr. Barber is now alone in business, and is 
engaged on a good dwelling for Judge Can- 
field, the Public Library, a stone church for the 
Unitarian Society, and the Methodist South. 

While in San Francisco, in 1855-'50, he 
was a member and treasurer of the Elysian 
(Hub, a social organization of 100 or more 
young ladies and gentlemen; and every par- 
ticipant will carry through life the most 
pleasant recollections of those happy re- 



5.->6 



SANTA B ABB ABA, FAN LUIS OBISPO 



unions. They were all that the name of the 
club implies. Mr. Barber was a member 
for several years of a cavalry company, — 
the First Light Dragoons, — under Captain C. 
L. Taylor and Lieutenant Flanders. Soon 
after the breaking out of the Rebellion, when 
the California hundred was being mustered 
into service, he seriously contemplated going 
to the front with them, and would have 
done so but for his young wife and child who 
were dependent upon him; but he regularly 
paid his full proportion into the sanitary fund. 
He. like many others, invested in stocks 
during the quartz-mining excitement, and 
his dearly bought experience then may have 
proved beneficial later in life. 

Mr. Barber was married in San Francisco, 
in 1859, to Miss Mary J. Wheaton, of New 
Orleans, Louisiana, and they have a family of 
five children: Sylvia S., now Mrs. H. A. 
Rogers; Ella F, Alice F., Samuel M. and 
Arthur B. They buried their little daughter 
Mary Ann in 1864, when but twenty 
months old, and their youngest child, Mary 
Beatrice, in 1888, aged eleven years. 

In 1869, for the better health of his family, 
Mr. Barber sought a more genial climate and 
settled in Santa Barbara, then but an old 
Spanish-built town with less than half a 
dozen respectable American-built dwellings, 
and no public buildings except the old adobes. 
It now has a population of some 6,000 peo- 
ple, among whom are as refined, cultured, 
benevolent and patriotic a class as any city 
in the world can boast of. 

Some thirty years ago Mr. Barber joined 
the Odd Fellows, and has never ceased to 
be a member, — first the Yerba Buena in San 
Francisco, then by card Santa Barbara Lodge, 
and was one of the charter members of 
Channel City Lodge, No. 232 (the name 
"Channel City " being proposed by Mr. Bar- 
ber and afterward adopted). He was for some 



time a member of the Santa Barbara En- 
campment and holds his card. In the sub- 
ordinate lodges he passed through all the 
chairs and has been elected three times a 
representative to the Grand Lodge, and served 
one term as Deputy Grand Master of Dis- 
trict No. 54, and for some ten years has been 
a trustee of Channel City Lodge. He has 
been a member of the Veteran Odd Fellows 
Association for many years, and greatly enjoys 
their meetings and banquets in San Fran- 
cisco, where he is privileged to meet his old- 
time California friends. He is also a mem- 
ber «'f long standing in the orders of United 
Workmen and American Legion of Honor. 

He served on the Board of Health in 
1378-'79, and in 1880 was elected Mayor 
of Santa Barbara, by a surprising majority, 
and served a full term, giving universal sat- 
isfaction, during which he was ex-ofhcio 
Chairman of the Board of Health. 

During this time the small-pox was brought 
into the city, spreading through one family. 
The work of the board was laborious and dan- 
gerous. For a long time they felt that the 
destiny of the place — from a sanitary stand- 
point — was in their hands; if the disease had 
been allowed to spread, and the plague had 
swept off a portion of the population, the 
reputation of the city — which now stands 
pre-eminent as a health resort — would have 
received a blow from which it would have 
taken years to recover. 

In 1882, under the administration of Presi- 
dents Garfield and Arthur, he received the 
appointment of Postmaster at Santa Barbara, 
and served his full term of four years. The 
satisfaction he gave the public in this capac- 
ity has been manifested in many ways. 

In 1890, after having been solicited in 
writing by some two hundred voters, he 
with much hesitancy allowed his name to be 
used as a candidate for Mayor, and is now 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



557 



serving his second term as such, and again 
as chairman of the newly organized and 
efficient Board of Health. 

Mr. Barber's habits of life have always 
been those of sobriety, industry and frugal- 
ity; his gratitude is warm and enduring for 
every kindness; he tenaciously adheres to 
his friends, come what may; is always ready 
to forgive any injustice or injury inflicted; 
is generous — some say to a fault — but never 
boasts of it, and the Golden Rule always 
seems uppermost in his mind. He has been 
an almost constant worker through life, — 
always at his post. Though fond of enjoy- 
ment and recreation, he never has had what 
he thinks he has earned. 

In 1863 he paid a visit to his old home 
and boyhood friends in Ohio and other 
States. Though but eleven years had elapsed 
since leaving, many old neighbors and friends 
had gone to their long home. In 1887 he 
again sought rest and recreation, and, with 
his daughters Ella and Alice, took a trip 
to the old country. In going to New York 
they took a middle route through Kansas 
City, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Chattanooga, 
Washington, Philadelphia, etc. They took 
passage on the Anchor Line steamer "Fer- 
nessia" to Glasgow, visiting Scotland, Eng- 
land, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, 
Switzerland and France, returning by the 
same line, on the Devonia, to New York. 
When four days out from New York they 
encountered a terrible hurricane, which came 
near foundering the ship. From New York 
they took the more northern route for home, 
visiting Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Chicago, 
Denver, Salt Lake, etc., stopping off and visit- 
ing the old homestead in Ohio and the scenes 
of his childhood and such of his old associates 
as had not emigrated to other localities or 
had been numbered witli the dead. The 
ravages of time during thirty-five years, to- 



gether with those of the war of the Re- 
bellion, were too apparent, and a feeling of 
sadness crept over him when, at a little ban- 
quet at the same hospitable farm-house where 
forty-five years before he had stepped to 
merry music, there could be counted upon the 
ends of his fingers all that remained of the 
S'ores who had been wont to gather there 
for youthful amusements. At parting he 
said good-bye to them, perhaps for the last 
time, and once more turned his face toward 
his home on the shores of the Pacific. 

Since he has lived in Santa Barbara he 
has fostered and encouraged every legitimate 
enterprise to the extent of his ability; has 
expended some money in prospecting for 
minerals, oils, etc., and at this time is inter- 
ested in two companies that are putting 
down wells in oil regions. He was for a 
term of years a partner in a firm that dealt 
heavily in lumber and other building mate- 
rials. For many years he owned a small 
farm near town which he had properly cul- 
tivated, and planted out with the choicest 
variety of fruits, vines, etc., and on which 
he had carried on for him an apiary, and 
was treasurer of the Apiarists' Association 
of the county during its existence. He has 
done much work gratuitously on different 
churehes, as he is doing at the present time; 
but his race is well nigh run, and when his 
career is ended he can say with satisfaction 
to himself that he has made the best use of 
the time allotted to him under the circum- 
stances, and goes hence with a clear con- 
science and good will toward all mankind. 



LIVER C. CARLE was born in Trum- 
bull County, Ohio, August 29, 1838. 
His father, Joshua Carle, was born in 
Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1800; passed his 



558 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



life as a farmer, and died in Illinois, in 1884. 
His ancestors were Germans. Mr. Carle's 
mother, Margaret (Oliver) Carle, was born in 
Jefferson County, Ohio, and was of Scotch 
descent. Of the thirteen children born to 
them, Oliver C. was the seventh. He at- 
tended school at Hopedale and finished his 
education at the State Normal School. 

His young manhood was reached at a time 
when his country was in great danger and 
engaged in the most sanguinary struggle of 
its history. In August, 1862, he enlisted in 
the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio 
Volunteers, and did his duty with bravery 
all through the conflict. He was in the bat- 
tle at Winchester, Frederick, and other places, 
and his division was sent to New York to 
quell the riots at that place. He participated 
in the battles of the Army of the Potomac, 
and at the battle of the Wilderness was cap- 
tured and taken to Andersonville, where he 
remained from May until September. At 
that time they were being moved by train to 
Florence, when Mr. Carle and three others 
escaped. They spent days and weeks in the 
woods, traveling by night and hiding by day. 
They were at times defended by Union men 
and made many escapes, and only one of their 
men was recaptured. In the dark one night 
they were halted by seven men, with guns, 
and they themselves were only armed with 
clubs. They represented that they were 
Confederates going to the command, and pro- 
duced a pass which Mr. Carle had written. 
When they were trying to light a match two 
or three of them were knocked down at once, 
and the escaped prisoners broke away in the 
dark, followed by shots, and made good their 
escape. They reached the Union lines at 
Knoxville, Tennessee, January 12, 1865. In 
the charge on Petersburg, Mr. Carle was 
wounded in the foot, and was at the hospital 
in Washington when President Lincoln was 



killed. Mr. Carle saw his full share of the 
horrors and sufferings of the war. 

When peace was declared, the subject of 
this sketch was mustered out of the service, 
and engaged in agricultural pursuits, happy 
in knowing that the old flag waved over a 
united country. He bought a large farm in 
the vicinity of Kansas City, on which he re- 
mained about seven years, a greater part of 
the time engaged in farming, and for awhile 
conducted a dairy. A portion of that ranch 
is now included in the limits of Kansas City, 
and his son, Edwin T. Carle, resides on the 
portion which they still retain. 

When Mr. Carle came to Ventura, Cali- 
fornia, he purchased 120 acres of land, where 
he has a most delightful home and where he 
now resides. The rare taste displayed in the 
arrangement of the grounds and the perfect 
neatness which pervade the whole premises, 
make it one of those attractive homes for 
which California is noted far and wide. Its 
cost was $26,000. Mr. Carle has also in- 
vested in other real estate in different parts 
of Southern California. On his home ranch 
he has many fruit trees of different kinds: 
among them are 500 walnut and 500 apricot 
trees. 

April 14, 1860, he was married to Miss 
Jennie Taylor, who was born in Louisville, 
Kentucky, in 1840. This union was blessed 
with two children: Edwin T.. born March 20, 
1861, in McLean County, Illinois; and Eth- 
bert D., born May 20, 1866, now at home on 
the farm. Mrs. Carle was stricken with con- 
sumption and after a protracted illness, in 
which all efforts to save her life proved 
futile, died January 26, 1867. After living 
single four years, Mr. Carle was again mar- 
ried, January 12, 1871, to Miss Adelaide M. 
Maitland, a native of Lawrence County, 
Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Will- 
iam Maitland, of Lawrence County. They 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



559 



have had one cliild, which they lost. Mrs. 
Carle is a member of the Methodist Church. 
Mr. Carle's parents were members of the 
Disciples'. While at New Castle, Pennsyl- 
vania, he united with the I. 0. 0. F. His 
political views are in harmony with Repub- 
lican principles. 



►>*« 



lEORGE W. FAULKNER is the son of 

George Faulkner, who was born it) Eng- 
land in 1806, came to Ohio in 1838, and 
settled on a farm in Richland County, where 
he still lives and where, August 16, 1846, his 
son, George W., was born. Mr. Faulkner's 
mother was nee Julia A. Green, a native of 
Franklin County, Ohio. Her father, William 
Green, was a pioneer of Ohio, and built the 
third house in the township in which he 
lived. The subject of this sketch was the 
fourth of a family of six children, was reared 
and educated in Ohio, and was engaged iu 
agricultural pursuits on the farm on which he 
was born until coming to Yentnra County, 
California, in 1879. He purchased seventy- 
three acres of land near New Jerusalem, and 
three years later came to his present location, 
near Santa Paula. Here he bought a farm of 
150 acres, on which he has made many im- 
provements, planting trees and building a 
large barn. He has not yet built his new 
house, hut has selected a beautiful building 
site and already has the grounds planted with 
shrubbery and trees. Mr. Faulkner has 
eighteen acres of apricots and a general as- 
sortment of prunes, apples, pears and citrus 
fruits, and has twenty-eight acres of bearing 
walnut trees. This place presents a fine ap- 
pearance with its flowers, fruit-trees, ponder- 
ous barn, and well kept stock grazing in the 
green pastures. Mr. Faulkner is carrying on 
general farming, but the crop of which he 



makes a specialty is Lima beans, raising as 
high as a ton to the acre, the price being now 
four and a half cents per pound. He employs 
two farm hands all the time and often more. 

Mr. Faulkner was united in marriage to 
Miss Roda S. Seymour, a graduate of Baldwin 
University, class of '72. She is a native of 
Ohio, and adaughter of Rev. S. D. Seymour, 
of the North Ohio Conference, Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, now a resident of Texas Mr. 
and Mr3. Faulkner are the parents of two 
daughters and one son: Alpha and Stella, 
born in New Jerusalem, and George Sey- 
mour, in Santa Paula. Mr. Faulkner is forty 
years older than his little son, and his father 
is forty years his senior. He showed the 
writer something unique in the way of a 
picture, the three portraits, father, son and 
grandson, being arranged on one card. 

Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner are members of the 
Methodist Church. Politically he is a Pro- 
hibitionist. 



•*-•£< 



^ffACOB MAULHARDT. In a work of 
this character it is fi 1 1 i \<y that the mine 

o 

of Jacob Maulhardt should find a place, 
and that mention should be made of his life 
and successful career as a rancher of Ventura 
County. He was born in Prussia, of German 
parents, June 30, 1841, and came to California 
July 7, 1867. He had received his education 
and had learned the carpenter's trade in his 
native land ; and after coming to this State he 
engaged in sheep-raising in Contra Costa 
County, on the shares. In 1869 he went to 
Tulare County, and there devoted his time to 
farming. In June, 1870, he located in Santa 
Clara Valley, Ventura County, and here pur- 
chased 410 acres of choice farming land at 
$10 per acre. This property he still retains, 
and has since added to it seventy-five acres, 



560 



SANTA BARBARA, SANuLUIS OBISPO 



at a cost of $50 per acre, and later bought 
312 acres of choice farming land at a cost of 
$7,100. He has erected a large barn and fine 
residence, which can be seen for miles around 
in every direction — a place of beauty and a 
credit to the country. He is conducting his 
farming operations on a large scale, his prin- 
cipal crop being grain. He also raises fruit 
for family use, and for his friends. The total 
value of his property now is about $100,000. 

Mr. Maulhardt was married in 1865, to 
Miss Dorothy Kohlar, who is also a native of 
Germany, and whose parents were German 
farmers. They have five children: Henry, 
the oldest, born in Europe; Emma, a native 
of Contra Costa County, California; Louisa, 
born in Tulare County; and Adolph and 
Mary, born at their present home in Ventura 
County. 

Mr. Maulhardt is a Democrat and takes an 
active part in political matters, having at- 
tended the county conventions of his party, 
as a delegate, since 1876. He and his family 
are members of the Catholic Church. 



if D. AXTELL, Superintendent of the 
County Hospital, was born in Pike, 
Wyoming County, New York, in 1835. 
His father was one of the pioneers of that 
county in 1828. The subject of this sketch 
was educated and lived in his native county, 
engaged in farming, hotel-keeping, and other 
enterprises, up to the opening of the war. He 
enlisted at Pike, August 25, 1861, in Com- 
pany F, Fifth New York Cavalry, under 
Colonel O. De Forest, there being 1,100 men 
in the regiment. They were first sent to 
Staten Island to drill in sword exercise. 
Leaving there in November, 1861, they went 
to Baltimore, and there being mounted they 
went forward to Annapolis and joined Gen- 



eral Hutch's corps of cavalry. Mr. Axtell 
sustained an injury at Annapolis, was sent to 
the hospital and was discharged December 
18, 1861. He spent the winter at home and 
in the following spring joined the Quarter- 
master's Department at Washington, and in 
1863 was sent to Johnsville, Tennessee, to take 
charge of a saw-mill, sawing timber for rail- 
road ties and bridges, and there remained 
until the close of the war. The following ten 
years he engaged in railroad work and hotel- 
keeping, and in February, 1878, came to 
California. He first settled at Lompoc, but 
the year being dry he did no business. In 
November, 1878, he was appointed Superin- 
tendent of the County Hospital. In 1880 he 
took up a Government claim on the Santa 
Ynez River, and there farmed for three years; 
then sold out and went to Lompoc, where he 
kept a hotel. In 1886 he was reappointed 
Superintendent of the County Hospital, and 
has since held the position. This hospital is 
the home for the sick, feeble and infirm resi- 
dents of the county, and averages about 
twenty inmates. 

Mr. Axtell was married at Castile, Wyoming 
County, New York, in April, 1873, to Miss 
Nellie M. Anderson. They have but one 
child living — Miss Nellie. Mr. Axtell is a 
member of Magnolia Lodge, No. 242, F. & A. 
M., and of the order of the Eastern Star, Mar- 
guerite Lodge, No. 78, of which his wife is 
Worthy Matron. 

fOHN BORCHAPD is a native of Han- 
over, Germany, born October 8, 1838. 
Both his father and mother were Ger- 
mans and both are still living, at the ages of 
eighty and seventy-seven years, respectively. 
Mr. Borchard contemplates returning to his 
native land to visit them during the present 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



561 



summer, 1890. The subject of this sketch is 
another illustration of the way the thrifty sons 
of Germany succeed when they come to the 
United States. He came to his present loca- 
tion in 1871, and purchased 400 acres of land, 
on which he is now raising barley, beans and 
corn. He owns 4,000 acres on the Conejo, 
where he is raising cattle and hogs, keeping 
an average of 400 head of grade Durham 
cattle, and from 400 to 500 head of hogs. 
He also owns property in Texas, 6,000 acres 
of land, which he rents to four men. On his 
Conejo ranch, Mr. Borchard is building a 
brick house. This ranch is divided into six 
or seven pastures, and each is supplied with 
plenty of spring water and fenced with wire 
fencing-. 

o 

Mr. Borchard was married in Germany in 
1865, to Miss Elizabeth Chothelm, a native 
of that country. They have three daughters, 
all born at their present home in Ventura 
County, California: Mary, Ann, and Theresa. 
The family are consistent members of the 
Catholic Church. 

Notwithstanding that Mr. Borchard is a 
rich gentleman, he calls himself an old Dutch- 
man, and works as hard as ever he did, the 
thrift and economy acquired in the father- 
land still staying by him in California. Dur- 
ing the nineteen years he has lived on this 
coast, he has seen many remarkable changes, 
and has given a helping hand to many a Ger- 
man friend. 



F. I1AWLEY is a California pioneer. 
He was born in Canada, December 28, 
' 9 1830, the son of Charles Hawley and 
Cynthia (Laboree) Hawley, both natives of 
Canada. His grandfather, Amos Hawley, 
was a native of New Hampshire, and his 
grandfather on the maternal side, Rufus La- 



boree, was a native of Connecticut, and the 
ancestors of both families had long been resi- 
dents of America. He was the fourth of a 
family of thirteen children, and the first 
twenty years of his life were spent in Canada. 
In 1852 he came to California, and worked 
in the mines in Mariposa County, with or- 
dinary success. After being there a year he, 
went to San Francisco, and February 16 
1853, sailed in the Monumental City for 
Australia, where he arrived after a voyage of 
eighty days. He went directly to the mines, 
where he worked for a year and a half, having 
fine success. He washed as high as $200 in 
gold in a single day, with an old-fashioned 
rocker. Upon his return to California he 
went to the mines in Nevada County, and 
worked at river mining in the South Yuba, 
with indifferent returns. In 1862 he went 
across the country to Idaho and prospected 
where the city of Auburn is now located. 
The next year he went to Boise Basin, being 
more successful and remaining there two 
years and a half. He was one of a company 
of five who worked four or five claims at one 
time and took out as high as $10,000 in a 
single week. Mr. Hawley took out $4,900 
in one week, with five hired men, each receiv- 
ing $6 per day. They employed four men 
to work at night, to save the water and also 
the gold. The water cost 50 cents per inch 
for twelve hours' use. When he left the 
gravel mining he sold his claim, and, with 
his brothers, went to Nevada and prospected 
in quartz-mining. They had hard luck and 
met with heavy losses. After this Mr. Haw- 
ley bought a ranch in Placer County, where 
he farmed four years. Then his wife died, 
and he sold his farm and went back to the 
mines in Nevada County, where ho obtained 
a situation as a water agent and remained 
there ten years. 'At the expiration of that 
time he came to Southern California and at 



502 



SANTA BABBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Carpenteria rented land for five or six years, 
which he devoted to the production of Lima 
beans. When he came to his present loca- 
tion lie purchased eighty acres of choice land, 
a part of which he has since sold, retaining 
forty- three acres. This contains a nursery of 
walnut trees and a variety of fruit trees. 

Mr. Hawley was married, in 1865, to Miss 
Matty Wheeloek, a native of JSew York. 
They had two children: Ida B., born at 
Columbia Hill, Nevada County, is now the 
wife of John Dickerson, and lives near her 
father; Frank A., born in Placer County, re- 
sides with his father. After five years of 
married life, Mrs. Hawley died December 18, 
1870. Mr. Hawley afterward married Miss 
Anna Carrol, a native of New York. They 
have had two children, born in Nevada 
Connty, Clarence and Lee, aged eight and 
twelve respectively. Mr. Hawley is a Royal 
Arch Mason, and has been a life-long Demo- 
crat. 



fUDGE H. &. CRANE.— One of the old 
and honored residents of Santa Barbara 
is the subject of this sketch, who was 
born at Varick, Seneca County, New York, 
in 1828, being the youngest of six children. 
His self-support began at the age of twelve 
years, when he was bound out to a farmer for 
a term of four years, getting the little educa- 
tion that was afforded in those early days at the 
winter schools. His next step forward was to 
Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he served two 
years with a harness- maker. He learned the 
trade and then bought a one-half interest in 
the business, in 1852, which was very pros- 
perous, making many harnesses for shipment 
to St. Paul and New Orleans. Owing to 
failing health he sold his interest in 1856, 
coming to California by the Isthmus of Pan- 



ama and settling in Tuolumne County, where 
he had mining interests which proved very 
profitable. In 1861 he was elected Justice 
of the Peace, holding the office four years. 
In 1862 he bought out a hardware and mer- 
chandise store at Shaw's Flats, which he con- 
tinued until 1868, when he sold out, and in 
1869 came to Santa Barbara. He bought 
two blocks in De La Yina street and built 
the pleasant cottage which he now occupies, 
corner of Sola and De La Yina streets. In 
1871 he was elected Justice of the Peace, 
holding the office until January, 1883. He 
also became engaged in real-estate business. 
In 1882 he was elected Public Administrator, 
commencing from January, 1883, and con- 
tinuing in office until January, 1887, when 
he was elected Supervisor of the Second Dis- 
trict, and was made chairman of the board, 
continuing in that office up to the present 
date. Judge Crane was examined and ad- 
mitted to practice law in the Superior Court 
of the county of Santa Barbara in May, 1890. 
He lost his first wife in 1883, whom he mar- 
ried in Saline, Michigan. He wa>< again 
married in Santa Barbara, in 1886, to the 
very estimable lady Miss Frances Porter. 
Mr. Crane has one son, Alphonse, who has 
been a successful stationer in Santa Barbara, 
and with whom he is now connected in real- 
estate interests. Mr. Crane built Crane's 
Hall in 1876, and he is recognized as a man 
of deep knowledge and research, a man strict 
in the discharge of his duties. 




E. READY was born in Hamilton 
County, Ohio, October 25, 1849. 
° His father, W. G. Ready, was born 
in the same county, and was a farmer all his 
life. His grandfather, Lain Ready, was a 
native of Delaware, was reared in Georgia, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



563 



and removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, becoming 
a pioneer of that part of the country. Mr. 
Ready's mother, Margaret (Houston) Read}', 
was born in Cincinnati, and was the daughter 
of Robert Houston, a merchant of that place. 
His grandfather Houston was of Scotch - 
Irish extraction, and came from the north of 
Ireland. The subject of this sketch was the 
fourth of a family of twelve children. In 
1861 he left Cincinnati and went to Keokuk, 
Iowa, and engaged in farming there until 
1866. At that time he removed to Northern 
Missouri, then to Colorado, in 1877, being 
engaged in farming the most of the time. 
After a year spent in Colorado, in the spring 
of 1878, lie came to California, and in Sep- 
tember settled in Ventura. He worked by 
the month for four years, and then bought 
forty acres of rich farming land located two 
miles and a half east of Ventura. He has 
built upon it and improved it, and is now 
engaged in the production of Lima beans. 
This crop has proved quite remunerative, the 
average production being from 1,600 to 
2,000 pounds per acre, and the present price 
four cents per pound. The average price is 
about three cents. 

Mr. Ready was united in marriage with 
Miss Martha Seward, daughter of A. D. 
Seward, a civil engineer. She was born in 
Indiana. They have four children: Charles 
E., born October 2,1883; Virgil E., Novem- 
ber 16, 1885; Gracie M., January 20, 1887, 
and Lester, December 8, 1888. Mr. Ready 
is a Republican. Both he and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 



--><:■ 



?\ON. CHARLES If. JOHNSON'S biog- 
raphy would form an interesting chap 
ter in tin- historj of Sun Luis ( >bi no 

were all the material at band, ■>- bis life ban 



been one of stirring activity in travel, ad- 
venture and public affairs. His early years 
were passed in Maryland, his native State, 
and after graduating at college he left his 
home for the sake of travel to distant coun- 
tries. He first visited the Pacific Ocean and 
China, and returned home. In a few months 
he again set out, this time for England and 
the East Indies, and China again, in company 
with an uncle who went as agent for a Balti- 
more East India house. He made the tour 
and safely returned home again. Meeting 
John Einley, an acquaintance of the family, 
and forming with him a partnership, he 
loaded the ship Rhone for a voyage to the 
west coast of South America, Sandwich Isl- 
ands and California, while the Mexican war 
was in progress. He had assurance from 
the authorities at Washington that the Gov- 
ernment intended to possess California. The 
Rhone sailed from Baltimore December 22, 
1847, visited the various ports on the west 
coast of South America, and arrived at 
Honolulu July 18, 1848. There the news 
of the discovery of gold was received; and, 
instead of disposing of his goods shipped 
for that port, he and his partner purchased a 
large addition to their cargo, and on the 
thirty-first sailed for San Francisco, arriving 
August 11. His vessel was the first mer- 
chantman to enter the harbor of San Fran- 
cisco after the publication in California of 
the treaty of Cuadaloupe Hidalgo. The gold 
discovery and the rush of business in San 
Francisco caused a change in all (be plans of 
these young merchant s. Their design bad 
been, after disposing of the cargo Eor .Mr. 
Finley, to take the ship to Canton and pur- 
chase a, cargo of tea f..r the Nev "i <>]■}< mar- 
ket, while M r. Johnson would purchase land 
in San Francisco, take an overland trip to 
Baltimore, and return and Bettle in California 
in the mercantile business; but the times 



564 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



did not permit the execution of these plans. 
The cargo of the Rhone brought over $100,- 
000 in San Francisco, and the opportunity 
for establishing a great mercantile house 
offered itself and required prompt attention. 
Accordingly, the house of Finley, Johnson 
& Co. was soon established, and in a short 
period it became the leading house in Cali- 
fornia, importing heavily from Peru, Chili, 
Sandwich Islands and Mexico. Their pros- 
perity was all that could be expected or even 
desired. Great warehouses were built and 
stored with hundreds of thousands of dollars' 
worth of goods; but the great fire of May 
4, 1850, swept away $4,000,000 of the prop- 
erty of the merchants of San Francisco, the 
firm of Finley, Johnson & Co. being 
among the unfortunate. No insurance could 
be obtained, and their loss was total. How- 
ever, they, with the pioneer merchants gen- 
erally, proceeded forthwith to resume business 
and build up as if nothing had happened. 
Ships poured in their cargoes, business pros- 
pered and all seemed in a fair way of regain- 
ing the fortunes lost. The merchants of that 
period were generally quite free from debt, 
and when they lost a few hundred thousand 
they generally had cargoes of their own on 
the way, or at least a credit that secured them 
consignments. 

But scarcely had they rebuilt their stores 
and filled them with goods when, June 14, 
1850, a still more extensive fire swept them 
away, involving a loss of $5,000,000. Again 
the work of rebuilding was begun and busi-' 
ness resumed. The buildings erected this 
time were more expensive, many being 
deemed fire-proof; but on the night of May 
3, 1851, the cry of fire was again raised, and 
during the next day — which was the anni- 
versary of the first fire mentioned — eighteen 
blocks of the business portion of the city 
went down before the flames, involving a loss 



of between $10,000,000 and $12,000,000! 
Finley, Johnson & Co. then had in store over 
a quarter of a million dollars' worth of mer- 
chandise, all of which was destroyed by the 
fire. This so greatly reduced their resources 
that they settled with their creditors and re- 
tired from business. 

Mr. Johnson removed to Monterey, and 
soon thereafter was appointed Deputy Col- 
lector of Customs of the district, and after- 
ward Inspector of Customs for the port of 
San Luis Obispo, coming to this county in 
1852 and settling here permanently in 1856. 
The position of Inspector he held until 1860, 
when he resigned to take the seat in the 
Legislature, he having been elected to the 
Assembly of 1860-'61. During his long 
residence in San Luis Obispo he has always 
been known as a public-spirited citizen and a 
close student of the affairs of the world. He 
has written and spoken much on the early 
history of this county, and many extracts 
from his writings have been given in other 
works, some of which have drifted into this 
vulume. His eloquent and instructive ora- 
tion delivered before the San Luis Obispo 
Grange, in 1874, was published in pamphlet 
form and most superbly printed. On account 
of its rich historical allusions, we wish we 
had space to reprint the oratiun entire. 



*3wf< 




C. ROGERS, President of the Rogers 
Brothers Produce Company, and also 
of the Rogers Land Company, was 
born in Vermont in 1855, and is a lineal 
descendant of Daniel Webster. Mr. Rogers 
prepared himself for college at the academy 
at Montpelier, but commenced business for 
himself at the age of fifteen years. In 1875 
he came to Santa Barbara and established 
himself in business with his brother. By 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



565 



dint of economy and perseverance they were 
successful, and when the Southern Pacific 
Kail road was being opened through Arizona 
they established a general merchandise store 
there. This proved a successful business 
venture. They afterward disposed of the 
store and engaged in stock-raising and Gov- 



ernment contracting. 



In 1888 Mr. Rogers was married to Miss 
J. A. Norcross, and has since made his home 
in Santa Barbara. In 1890 the Produce 
Company was incorporated, and the subject 
of this sketch was elected president. The 
firm is doing a large produce business, ship 
ping for the season of 1890 over $1,000,000 
worth of beans. They have established branch 
houses at Los Angeles and San Francisco, 
and expect soon to open one at Chicago. 
Mr. Rogers is a self-made man, one who has 
earned his prosperity through hard work and 
close application to economic business prin- 
ciples. 



McGRATII is one of the old settlers 
and respected citizens of the Santa 
* Clara Valley, Ventura County, Cali- 
fornia. He was born in Longford County, 
Ireland, in the year 1832, and his parents, 
Peter and Mary (Davis) McGrath, were also 
natives of the " Emerald Isle." He was the 
youngest, except one, of a family of six 
children, received his education in the 
country schools of his native place, and, at 
the age of twenty years, came to America. 
For six years he lived in the State of New 
York, after which he came to Alameda 
County, California, about the year 1861, and 
worked for wages on a ranch for nearly four 
years. He became interested in the sheep 
business and followed that occupation six or 
seven years. In 1876 be removed to Ven- 



tura County, and purchased his present tract 
of land, known as the Kice tract, which con- 
tains 1,300 acres. He has improved the 
property, planted trees, and, in 1879, built a 
large and comfortable house, in which ot 
spend the evening of his days. When he 
first moved to the ranch he lived in a little 
clapboard house, but, under his manage- 
men, the premises now have the appearance 
of comfort and affluence. Mr. McGrath has 
made farming his life business, his principal 
crops being barley and corn. 

He was united in marriage, since coming 
to California, to Miss Bridget Donlon, 
daughter of James Donlon, of Ireland, 
and an aunt of James Donlon, the Ven- 
tura County Assessor. They have had thir- 
teen children, ten of whom are living, four 
sons and six daughters. They were all born 
in California, and their names are as follows: 
Mary T., Maggie, Lizzie, Nellie, Josephine, 
Annie, James H., Joseph, Frank and Robert. 
Mary T. is the wife of Bernard Hanly, a 
resident of Oakland, California. The other 
children reside with their father. After many 
years of happy wedded life, and after rearing 
a large family of children, Mrs. McGrath 
died of heart disease, in 1888. She was a 
devoted wife, a loving and faithful mother, 
and a true and earnest Christian, and is 
greatly missed by her family and many 
friends. The whole family are members of 
the Catholic Church. 

In his political views, Mr. McGrath is in- 
dependent, always selecting what he believes 
to be the best man. Mr. McGrath has seen 
and can appreciate the many changes that 
have taken place in Ventura County in the 
last few years. He came here at a time 
when people thought grain could not be 
raised in this section of the country; but all 
these fertile valleys needed was the hand of 
toil rightly directed. Enterprising and pro- 



566 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



gressive men from different parts of the 
world have settled here, and the work of de- 
velopment has gone on until Ventura County 
is now one of the mo?t attractive and pro- 
ductive counties of the great State of Cali- 
fornia. 



fOHN F. CUMMINGS is a prominent 
and successful rancher living four miles 
west of Santa Paula on a farm of rich 
land and on one of the finest roads. He was 
born in Richland County, Ohio, September 
19, 1835. His father, James Cummings, 
was born in Pennsylvania, in 1795, was a 
farmer, and lived to the age of eighty-five 
years. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Christine McMillan, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1801, of early American ancestry. 
Mr. Cummings, our subject, the fourth in 
their family of seven children, was brought 
up in Ohio, and began life as a farmer on one 
of his father's farms. In 1860 he came to 
California and for several years worked by 
the month in the northern part of the State. 
Taking 160 acres of land, he improved it as 
he gradually obtained the means. In 1872 
he sold it and came to Santa Paula, bought 
150 a'-res of unimproved land, and year by 
year he has been making it one of the finest 
ranches in the county. He has erected the 
buildings and fences and planted the trees 
and witnessed their wonderful development. 
He has added other land to his original pur- 
chase. On this place he has raised heavy 
crops of corn, and also raised and sold many 
hogs; but his principal business now is the 
raisino- of Lima beans. Last year (1889) he 
raised on seventy-live acres sixty-five tons of 
beans, for which he has, at date of writing, 
refused four and a half cents per pound. 
On ten acres he raieed 3,300 pounds of beans 



to the acre; this quantity, at five cents per 
pound, would be for the ten acres $1,650. 
His crop for 1889, at the same price, would 
amount to $6,500. He has harvested three 
large crops of potatoes from one planting; 
has raised corn sixteen feet high and ten feet 
to the ears; so that the productions of his 
farm are truly marvelous; and yet not all of 
his land is in cultivation. Politically, al- 
though he first voted for James Buchanan 
for President, he has long been a Republican. 
He is a man of industrious habits, executive 
ability and hospitable disposition. 

In 1880 Mr. Cummiugs married Miss 
Georgia Sweeny, a native of Long Island, 
New York, and a daughter of Charles Sweeny, 
a native of the same State. Their five chil- 
dren are: Ada B., Madge, Christine, Walter 
W. and an infant daughter named Esther. 

f^ARALD L. KAMP was born in Sweden, 
May 22, 1824. His parents were both 
Danish by birth. His father, L. Kamp, 
arrived in Sweden (before his birth) as a com- 
mercial agent. Harald received a private 
education; was engaged as clerk in a book and 
stationery business; and emigrated to the 
United States, landing at New York, in 1845. 
In 1846 he enlisted with Colonel Stevenson's 
New York Volunteers, Company O, Captain 
Brackett; left New York for California in 
September, 1846, arriving March, 1847; was 
stationed at Sonoma. In May, 1847, he was 
with others sent to Sacramento under Lieu- 
tenant Anderson for the protection of the 
settlers from Indians; remained there until 
September, same year, when he was sent back 
to Sonoma; and remained in Sonoma to the 
close of the war. 

After the war he left for the mines and re- 
mained there until December, 1848, when he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



567 



returned to Sonoma and engaged in store 
business to 1856. Selling out his mercantile 
business he engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, in Sonoma County, until 1868, when 
he moved to Martinez. Contra Costa County. 
He engaged there in the wholesale and retail 
liquor business until 1880, then moved to 
San Buenaventura, continuing in the same 
business. 

Mr. Kamp was maried in Sonoma, in 1851 
to Dofia Josefina Higuerra, a native of Napa 
County, and they have had five children, 
three of whom are now living, whose names 
are Luis Ignacio, Adriano Francisco and John. 



**-•£• 



;R. JOSHUA MARKS, one of the 
prominent citizens of Ventura County, 
was born in Richmond, Virginia, July 
12, 1816. His father, Mordecai Marks, was 
a native of Prussia, came to the United 
States when a youth, was reared in A r irginia, 
and was a merchant there for many years. 
The Doctor's mother, nee Esther Raphael, 
was a daughter of Solomon Raphael, a tobac- 
conist, and a descendant of the great painter 
Raphael. Her maternal ancestors were set- 
tlers of Pennsylvania, her great-grandfather. 
Solomon Jacobs, and her grandmother, Ma- 
rion Jacobs, having come to this country 
with William Perm and settled in Philadel- 
phia. Solomon Raphael, one member of the 
family, was appointed by the Masonic Grand 
Lodge of Virginia as one of the gentlemen 
to receive General La Fayette on his visit to 
this country. 

At the age of eight years the BUbject of 
this sketch left Virginia, and was educated in 
New York city, at tin- college of Baldwin & 
Forest, on Warren Street, and at the Medical 
College of New Orleans, graduating at the. 
latter place in L847. Be was appointed by 



Major Chepin of the Commissary Depart- 
ment of the United States army, as Assist- 
ant Surgeon under Doctor McFale, and was 
in Mexico during its occupation by the 
American army. He began the practice of his 
profession in Matamoras. During his stay 
in Mexico, the Asiatic cholera made its ap- 
pearance there, in 1849, and was most malig- 
nant and deadly. The Governor of the 
country advised him to follow the disease, 
and gave him letters of introduction to the 
most prominent people and also to the Gov- 
ernor of Durango, stating how successfully 
he had treated the cholera, first at Saltillo 
and various other places, after which he went 
to the city of Mexico, and was given a part of 
the city to attend during the prevalence of 
cholera. He was examined by a medical 
faculty of Zacatecas, and received a license, 
in accordance with the law. His reputation 
in the treatment of the disease became such 
that he was paid $800 for twenty days' serv- 
vice, and $4,000 for 4,000 doses of Ids medi- 
cine with directions for use. A o-entleman, 
acting as his agent, sold $1,000 worth of the 
medicine atone time. He had six assistants 
giving the medicine under his direction, and 
so astonishing was its success that, by actual 
count, of 600 who received it only live deaths 
occurred. Some of this number took the 
medicine in the first stages of the disease. 
After this Doctor Marks was appointed sur- 
geon on the steamship Independence on the 
Nicaragua route from San Francisco, and 
after making several trips both he and the 
I |.lain left the ship because the] did not 

consider her seaworthy. 

The Doctor remained in California, and 
was elected County I'li\>ieian of Mariposa 

County, ami also held the same position in 

I 'I icer ( Jounty. He built the ( iounti 11-. 

pital and sold it to the city, and was County 

IMi\ Bician ami had full charge of the indigent 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



sick in Stanislaus County. Alter leaving 
that place he went to San Francisco, where 
he practiced his profession for a number of 
years, and was a member of the Medical 
Society there. In 1861 he was appointed by 
Governor Downey, State Yaccine Agent. 
He is now a practicing physician of Ventura 
County and has charge of the County Hos- 
pital of Ventura. His long experience and 
special qualifications fit him to perform the 
duties of this office with both credit to him- 
self and the county. 

The Doctor was married, in 1853, to Miss 
Catharine Curtis, in Sacramento. They have 
two sons: Joseph Edward, born in El Dorado 
County, May 20, 1855, now a law T yer of Santa 
Cruz; and Ide, also born in El Dorado County, 
February 18, 1857, is assisting his father in 
the hospital. Mrs. Marks arrived in Cali- 
fornia in 1847, and was elected an honorary 
member of the Pioneers' Society of Cali- 
fornia. 



fOSE DE LA KOSA was bora in the city 
of Los Angeles, Mexico, January 5, 1790, 
at one o'clock in the morning, and was 
baptized in the cathedral the same day at 
seven o'clock in the evening. He is the son 
of Senor Don Jose Florencio de la Rosa and 
Dona Maria Antonia Narzisa Rosa. His 
baptismal name is Jose Maria Telisforo de la 
Solida de los Santos Angeles de la Rosa. He 
has the distinction of being the first printer 
in this State, having arrived from Mexico in 
1834. He was sent by the Mexican govern- 
ment, as government printer in California. 
In the year 1845 he was appointed by the 
government as Alcalde of Sonoma (which is 
the same in the English language as district 
judge). He remained in Sonoma until 1867, 
when he removed to Martinez, Contra Costa 




County. Here he resided until 1879, and in 
that year he came to Ventura, where he still 
lives, in the enjoyment of good health, at the 
advanced age of one hundred years. He is a 
devout Catholic. 

""""•is" 2* 'I '»-g*-'~»°« 

, GRAHAM. — Among the rising citi- 
zens of the Santa Clara Valley, men- 
%? =SQ| tion should be made of the gentleman 
whose name heads this sketch. He arrived 
in California, April 28, 1876, and at first 
worked for wages. By his intelligent in- 
dustry and perseverance he now owns 160 
acres of land, which he has improved. He 
came to his present locality December 28, 
1882. Here he ip engaged in farming, raising 
barley, Lima beans and potatoes. Last year his 
beans averaged twenty-six centals to the acre. 
Two years ago twenty-eight acres of corn 
averaged forty-six centals of shelled corn to 
the acre, which he sold for ninety cents per 
hundred pounds. Mr. Graham also raises 
horses, hogs and poultry. He keeps a hired 
man and a Chinaman cook. 

Mr. Graham was born in Richland County, 
Ohio, December 1, 1848. He is the son of 
Samuel Graham, a native of Lancaster County, 
Pennsylvania, born in 1815. His grand- 
father, James Graham, was also a native of 
Pennsylvania. His mother was Rachel 
Clingan. She was a native of Virginia and 
was brought by her parents to Ohio when 
three years old. Her father, James Clingan, 
was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to 
America in an early day. The subject of 
this sketch is one of a family of six children, 
five of whom are living, three daughters and 
two sons. He was reared at Mansfield, Rich- 
land County, Ohio, and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools of that place. 
Mr. Graham has made one visit to the East 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



CG9 




since coining to California, and contemplates 
returning: ag;ain for a visit this summer. 
Politically, be is a Democrat. 

Mr. Graham is unmarried and conse- 
quently one chapter of his history remains 
unwritten! 



ILLAM GOODWIN DANA, 
deceased, was better known as Cap- 
tain Dana. He was born on Friday, 
May 5, 1797, the first child of William and 
Eliza (Davis) Dana, of Boston, Massachusetts. 
His father, William Dana, was born in that 
city in 1767, and married Miss Davis, the 
daughter of a prominent artillery officer in 
the Revolutionary army. William Dana died 
at St. Thomas, June 3, 1799, aged thirty-two 
years. 

Among the commercial people of the 
United States there has been accorded to New 
England the credit of largely developing com- 
merce, and making explorations among the 
South Sea Islands and along the western 
shores of North America. Boston, Salem, 
New Bedford and Nantucket were localities 
well known to all classes of people, and their 
residents were regarded as the best repre- 
sentatives of active thought and energy. 
From such an ancestry came William G. 
Dana. His youth was spent in Boston, 
where he acquired a good education, and at 
the age of eighteen years his uncle, a Boston 
merchant, sent him to Canton, China, where 
he remained nearly two years; thence he jour- 
neyed to Calcutta, India, where he remained 
one year. From India he cruised to the 
Sandwich Islands, where he remained for 
a time, and in 1820 established a large 
commercial business on the island of Oahu, 
where he erected a large warehouse. Later 
Mr. Dana made several voyages as ship cap- 

36 



tain from Honolulu to California and to the 
South American coast. In 1825 he located at 
Santa Barbara, and three years afterward 
built a schooner, which is said to be the first 
seagoing vessel ever launched by an American 
on the Pacific coast. In 1835 Captain Dana 
having; become a naturalized citizen of the 
Mexican Republic, applied for and obtained 
a grant of the Nipomo Rancho, comprising 
37,887.71 acres. This grant was one of the 
earliest on record, and as he had his choice in 
a very large area of country he made a 
selection which, as has been shown, was for 
many purposes a wise one. In the autumn 
of 1839 they removed their residence from 
Santa Barbara to Nipomo, and upon his 
property he erected a large adobe house, which 
still continues to be the home of some of the 
family. The splendid old house sands a con- 
spicuous object on an elevation overlooking a 
large area of the grant, a monument to the 
history of the county, second only to the old 
missions, and naturally around it cluster 
many interesting reminiscences. The Cap- 
tain was distinguished for his hospitality and 
generosity, and the Nipomo Rancho was a 
favorite stopping place for Americans jour- 
neying through the country, and many are 
the guests who have been entertained at this 
place. Nipomo was the only place then on 
the nad between Lan Luis Obispo and Santa 
Barbara, and it was twenty-five miles from 
San Luis Obispo and eighty-five from Santa 
Barbara. In political life Captain Dana was 
for a time quite active, and under Mexican 
rule he was Prefecto, the highest office in the 
gift of the government. At the first election 
for officers under the constitution of the State 
of California in 1849, he received the largest 
vote for the Senate, but owing to imtbrmalities 
in the election the office was accorded to 
Don Pablo de la Guerra, a native of Cali- 
fornia, and connected with one of the leading 



■;o 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Spanish families of that country. He sub- 
sequently became President of the Senate. 
Captain Dana died at Nipomo, February 12, 
1858, and his remains were interred in the 
cemetery at San Luis Obispo. His widow 
died at the same place, September 25, 1883. 

He was married August 10, 1828, at Santa 
Barbara, to Maria Josefa Carillo, the elde>t 
daughter of Don Carlos Antonio Carillo, the 
Governor of Alta California. By this union 
there were twenty-one children, twelve of 
whom are now living: William C, born May 
6, 1836; Charles W., born June 27, 1837; 
John F., June 22, 1838; Henry Carillo, July 
14, 1839; Ramon H., January 11, 1841; 
Francis, May 14, 1843; Edward Goodwin, 
December 24, 1846; Adeline Eliza, March 
30,1848; Frederick A , June 12, 1849; David 
A., August 27, 1851; Elisha C, October 23, 
1852; Samuel A., April 3, 1855. 



J^HARLES DAVIS is a native son of 
fflPj California, and with his brothers 
s|f Joseph and Buchanan, is the owner of 
1,200 acres ot land, adjoining San Miguel on 
the north. He was born in Monterey County, 
eight miles north of the town of San Miguel, 
February 21. 1864. He is the son of Mr. 
George Davis, a pioneer of the State, who 
came to California in 1843, and is now one 
of the oldest living pioneers. He is a native 
of the city of New York, born May 6, 1816; 
was a soldier in the Black Hawk war; went 
to the Rocky Mountains and trapped and 
traded on the north and south forks of the 
Flat River, following that business seven 
years. The company he was in had many 
tights with the Indians, whose weapons, at 
that time, were mostly bows, arrows, hatch- 
ets, spears and knives, while the whites were 
armed with muzzle-loading, flint-lock rifles. 



They got many bear skins, which they sold 
at good prices, and everything they had to 
buy was high. Mr. Davis followed it more 
for the wild, exciting life than anything 
else. Kit Carson was one of his companions 
at that time, also Doctor Newell and Bill 
Doty. In 1840 they went to Oregon and 
farmed for a year, raising wheat. They came 
to California overland, and had to tight their 
way through, arriving at Sutter's Fort in 
July, 1843. Captain Sutter had a blacksmith 
shop, and all the farmers in the county were 
near there, and the Captain also had a small 
store. At that time there was not to exceed 
fifteen Americans at the Fort. 

In company with them was a family by the 
name of Sumner; and on this overland jour- 
ney, fraught with so many excitements and 
dangers, Mr. Davis became acquainted with 
Miss Elecay Sumner, and soon after their 
arrival at the Fort, in July, 1843, they were 
married, Captain Sutter officiating. The 
newly married couple moved to Cost Creek, 
built a house, and Mr. Davis continued hunt- 
ing. They had flour, acorn coffee and an 
abundance of deer and bear meat. From 
there he moved to the American Fork, just 
above where Sacramento now stands. General 
Fremont with his mountain men came there 
in 1846, and Mr. Davis piloted him and his 
men up to Bear River, twenty-five miles 
above Sutter's Fort. 

Mr. Davis was one of the thirteen men 
taken prisoner by Castro Alvarado. He says 
they were well treated and paroled on their 
honor. The Mexican soldiers were sent back 
to Mexico. 

With his brother-in-law, Jefferson Shad- 
den, Mr. Davis engaged in furnishing cattle 
to the miners. It paid well, beef being four 
bits per pound. They raised melons, and 
received a half ounce of gold for each melon. 
In the fall of 1849 they engaged in mining, 



AND VENTURA COUNT FES. 



571 



made money and spent it freely. In 1860 
he came to San Luis Obispo Co.inty and took 
a pre-emption and homestead claim, and en- 
gaged in raising sheep and cattle, having as 
high as 9,000 sheep at one time. 

Of their thirteen children, eight are now 
living, — four girls and four boys. His sons, 
Charles, Joseph and Buchanan, are farming the 
ranch, one-half mile from San Miguel, which 
comprises 1,200 acres, to hay and wheat, and 
are also raising valuable horses and cattle. 
These gentlemen have been reared in the 
county and are interested in its growth and 
prosperity. 



IrRA VAN GO R DEN is a pioneer of Cali- 
fornia, who came to this State in 1846, 
•=$? He is a native of Lawrence, Tioga County, 
Pennsylvania, born February 12, 1820. His 
father, Gilbert Van Gorden, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in 1779, and a farmer by 
occupation; he served in the war of 1812. 
He married Lucinda Ives, a native of the 
same State, and daughter of Benajah Ives, 
also of Pennsylvania. They were the parents 
of eleven children. His death occurred when 
he was ninety-seven years of age. Mr. Van 
Gordon's grandfather was a native of New 
York, and was a soldier in the Revolution; he 
was wounded and is pensioned by the Gov- 
ernment. The Van Gordens originally came 
from Holland. 

Ira Van Gorden was the oldest of the fa- 
mily, only three of whom are now living. He 
was reared on a farm in his native State, and 
attended the public schools in winter and 
worked on the farm in the summer. When 
seventeen years of age he moved to Berrien 
County, Michigan, which was at that time 
a new county, and the State had just been ad- 
mitted into the Union. For two years he 



worked by the month, for $15 a month. He 
then removed to Bond County, Illinois, where 
he farmed on rented land In 1846 he re- 
moved with his family to California, and 
settled at the SantaClara mission. He served 
as a soldier under General J. C. Fre nont, for 
three months, as long as his services were 
needed. He then went to the San Jose mis- 
sion, and from there to the redwoods, near 
Oakland, and sawel lu nber with a whip-saw 
and made shingles. In 1848 his wife died, 
and Mr. Van Gorden took his children and 
went, to the mines, Avhere he mined for three 
months; the children staid with their aunt. 
Winter set in and he returned to the mission ; 
while mining his largest pan of gold was 
$776, coarse grains like wheat and some pieces 
of S3 and $4 each. At one time he struck a 
pocket, which lay in a crevice between slab 
rock, and he picked the gold out with a pick 
and knife, the amount being thirty-four 
ounces. At the San Jose mission he raised 
three acres of onions, and sold them on the 
ground for $4,000. From there Mr. Van 
Gorden went to Los Angeles County, and en- 
gaged in raising and shipping grapes, and at 
this business be also did well. He then went 
to San Diego County and engaged in stock- 
raising from 1854 to 1855. From there he 
drove 260 head of cattle and forty horses 
to Tulare County, where he took up Govern- 
ment land, and continued there in the cattle 
business for eleven years. 

He was married in 1841, in Illinois, to 
Miss Rebecca Harlan, a native of Indiana 
and daughter of George Harlan, a farmer of 
that State. They have had three children, 
two of whom survive: Jerome, now residing 
in Cambria, and Oeorge, residing in San 
Simeon. In 1848 Mrs. Van Gorden died. 
Mr. Van Gorden was again married in Tulare 
County, to Miss Agnes Mary Balaam, a native 
of Arkansas, of English ancestry. They have 



SANTA BARBARA, 8 AN LUIS OBISPO 



six children, viz.: Gilbert, Ira, Sarah, Ann 
Yine, Sherman and Earl. In 1868 he came 
to his present ranch in San Luis Obispo 
County. He purchased 4,468 acres of the 
San Simeon Ranch, and continued his stock- 
raising and farming. On part of the farm is 
a large dairy of 200 cows. When he first 
moved upon the property he lived in the old 
adobe ranch house. In 1870 he selected a 
secluded nook from the coast winds, and 
erected a beautiful home, where he is spend- 
ing the evening of his successful life with his 
family. On the ranch he raises hay, grain, 
patatoes, cabbage and fruit. In 1886 Mrs. 
Yan Gorden died, and he has since remained 
unmarried. Mr. Yan Gorden was a charter 
member of the Grange. In his political 
views he is a Republican, and is one of the 
best known and most influential citizens in 
this part of the county. 



jEV. SAMUEL T. WELLS, a former 
1 pastor of the Presbyterian Church at 
Yentnra, was born in Greenfield, 
Massachusetts, August 6, 1809. His father, 
Calvin Wells, was born in Greenfield, Massa- 
chusetts, and for most of his life w T as engaged 
in the lumber business. He removed to 
Western New York in 1815, settling in 
Byron, Genesee County. Mr. Well's grand- 
father, Colonel Daniel Wells, was a soldier 
in the war of 1812, was a man of wealth, but 
lost his property by the embargo. Early in 
the history of this country the sovereign of 
England sent a man named Welles over to 
Long Island to act as sheriff, who settled at 
the east end of that island, and this was the 
inception of the family in America. The 
name Wells is derived from the original 
Welsh from Welles. Secretary Gideon 
Welles, of President Lincoln's cabinet, was 



one of the family, one branch of which went 
to Hartford, Connecticut, and the other to 
the South; since then they have scattered 
over all New York and Michigan and into 
other States. Mr. Wells' mother, Elizabeth 
Taggart, was a daughter of Domine Taggart, 
of Colerain, Massachusetts, a Presbyterian 
minister from Londonderry, Ireland. He ■ 
had a Congregational Church, but had elders 
to govern it Presbyterian fashion. He was. 
fourteen years a member of Congress. All 
of Mr. Wells' brothers and sisters are now 
deceased except the youngest. 

The subject of this sketr-h received his 
academical education in Wyoming, New 
York, his collegiate at Union College, 
Schenectady, same State, and his theological 
training at Princeton, New Jersey, under 
Dr. Alexander. In 1842 the American 
Tract Society appointed him their agent in 
the West to establish the colporteur system, 
and he acted in that capacity twelve years. It 
was the commencement of that system of book 
distribution, and in the reports it was stated 
that his field was the best work in the United 
States. The forty men under his manage- 
ment sold and gave away a great many thou- 
sand dollars' worth of religious books. In 
1855 he received the appointment of Synodi- 
cal Missionary for Iowa, with headquarters 
at Dubuque, and he organized sixteen 
churches in that State. In 1860 the Presby- 
terian Board appointed him agent of col- 
porteurage for California, and in that year 
he came to the coast. The first year here he 
preached for the Calvary Presbyterian Church 
at San Francisco, and also superintended his 
colporteurs, who at the end of four years had 
placed $22,000 worth of religious books in 
this State. While in Oakland, there was no 
cemetery there that was not in some way 
encumbered; and Mr. Wells became instru- 
mental in starting the Mountain Yiew Ceme- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



573 



tery on the plan that all the money received 
for lots after paying for the ground should be 
expended in improvements on the property. 
The result is that this property of 200 acres 
is now the most beautiful cemetery in Cali- 
fornia. 

In 1870 Mr. Wells came to Ventura and 
took charge of the Presbyterian Church. 
There was then only one active man in it and 
a few women. Their edifice had been sold 
for taxes, and they were in debt $1,600; they 
had about given up all hope. Mr. Wells 
took the field and with less than half the 
salary he had had at Oakland, in three years 
had the debt paid and the society in flourish- 
ing condition; it is now self-supporting. 
Since his arrival here he has served on a 
committee for raising the salary of pastors, 
and has been very efficient in that work for 
six years. lie purchased 300 acres of land, 
when land was cheap, at $15 to $20 an acre. 
The railroad was afterward run through it 
and the company paid him $150 an acre for 
it, and this has made Mr. Wells financially 
independent for the rest of his life. Across 
the street and near the church in which he 
has taken so much interest, he bought a fine 
lot and erected upon it a substantial, com- 
fortable and tasteful residence, moving into 
it November 10, 1888, where he can quietly 
pass the evening of a well spent life. His 
brother, Calvin, is proprietor of the Press 
of Philadelphia; and his youngest son, 
Samuel Calvin, is one of the editors of that 
paper. 

May 25, 1842, is the date of Mr. Wells' 
marriage to Miss Catharine McPherson, of 
Schenectady, New York, and they have four 
children: Moses T., born in Allegheny City 
in 1843; Rosina M., born in Schenectady in 
1845; Elizabeth Jane, in Allegheny City, in 
1847; and Samuel Calvin, in Pittsburg, in 
1849; and seven grandchildren. Mrs. Wells 



died April 12, 1853, in her forty-fifth year; 
and in 1857 Mr. Wells was again married, 
this time to Miss Eliza Swan, of Burlington, 
Iowa; and by this marriage there are no 
children. 

— -~i**ME*i— - 

HO MAS SHARON, a prominent 
rancher and capitalist of Paso Robles, 
and an early settler in California, was 
born in Peterboro, Ontario, June 24, 1823. 
His father, Henry Sharon, was a native of 
Scotland, and a captain in the British army. 
He enlisted in 1803, and fought under the 
flag eleven years, when, in 1814, he returned 
and became a valiant soldier of the cross. 
He came to America as a MethoJist minis- 
ter, and preached as a missionary among the 
Indians and early settlers of Canada. He 
married Miss Elizabeth Moles, a descendant 
of the Harveys. They were the parents of 
twelve children, five of whom still survive. 
He was a minister for forty years, and died 
at the age of eighty-seven. 

Thomas Sharon, our subject, is the second 
of the children now riving. He never went 
to school in his life, and is, in one sense, a 
self-educated man, having been a student all 
his life. His father and mother were edu- 
cated and gave him much help in getting his 
education. He left Canada for New York, 
and from there emigrated to Wisconsin, when 
about twenty-one years of age. He engaged 
in surveying, and after acquiring money 
enough he purchased eighty acres of land, and 
became a farmer. He has added to his prop- 
erty from time to time until he has become 
the owner of from five to six hundred acres. 
In 1846 he started for California, but was 
obliged to return on account of the Indians. 
In 1852 he again started for California, and 
arrived in Stockton, in 1853. He engaged 



.574 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LOIS OBISPO 



in surveying, and opened the first land-oflice 
in Stockton, which he continued until he be- 
came a farmer. In 1855 Mr. Sharon re- 
turned East, and lost all he had made, except 
$275, by the failure of Page & Bacon. Re- 
turning to California in 1877, he was en- 
gaged in fruit-raising, money-lending, etc., 
in San Jose, until 1887, when he came to 
Paso Rubles. Two miles east of the city he 
bought a section of beautiful ranch land, 
with a large spring in the center. From this 
ranch he has since sold 100 acres. He built 
his residence near the spring in a romantic 
spot, and planted an orchard of French prunes 
and other fruit. The trees have made a re- 
markable growth, some of them only two 
years old measuring nine inches in circum- 
ference. On this property he is raising 
wheat in large quantities. 

Mr. Sharon spent a portion of his life 
among the Indians, studying their habits, 
and is the author of a book entitled " Life 
Among the Sioux," and also a work entitled 
" Viola, or Life in the Northwest." Both 
books met with ready sale. Another portion 
of his life was spent traveling in the South, 
before the war, a correspondent for the New 
York Tribune, While there he got a view 
of the institution of slavery, which caused 
him to become a warm friend of the down 
trodden and oppressed. The treatment given 
by a slave-holder to one of his slaves caused 
him to write a little book on slavery, entitled 
the '' Dawn of New Orleans." It was warmly 
received and had a wide circulation in the 
North. He also traveled and lectured on 
slavery, and did what he could to help slaves 
to liberty. When the Republican party was 
organized, and Fremont nominated for Pres- 
ident, he delivered many political addresses 
in that exciting time, before many thousand 
people. Many times his life was threatened, 
and at times danger seemed imminent, but he 



passed through all the excitement without 
receiving a scratch. Those times are passed, 
the country is now united, and the great 
stain that marred the escutcheon of States 
has been removed, and Mr. Sharon rejoices 
in the humble part he was permitted to take 
in making this country the finest under the 
canopy of heaven. 

Mr. Sharon was united in marriage with 
Miss Sophronia Burch, a native of the State 
of New York, in 1847. They had four chil- 
dren, born in Wisconsin, viz.: Cyrus K., 
Alice, Willis and Edward. After eight years 
of wedded life Mrs. Sharon died. Mr. Sharon 
was again married, in 1858, to his present 
wife, Miss Celia Ralph, a native of New 
York, and daughter of Mr. John Ralph 
They have two children, a son and a daugh- 
ter, born in Wisconsin: Ellsworth G. and 
Jessie Maud. Cyrus resides in Texas, Alice 
in Iowa, Willis in Tennessee, and Edward in 
Dakota. Ellsworth is in Santa Margarita, 
and Jessie Maud, a beautiful and accom- 
plished young lady, is with her parents. 
They have a fine ranch and pleasant home. 
They are members of the Methodist Church, 
and aided materially in the construction of 
the Mission Church at Paso Robles. Mr. 
Sharon has risen by his own exertions to be 
a man of affluence. This busy, active man 
cannot expect much longer to remain on 
earth, but he can truly say, " Lord, now let- 
test thou thy servant depart in peace, for 
mine eyes have seen thy salvation." 

— — *W">tg* il IJ iU£l«>-«>»— - 

fC. TWITCHELL, a farmer of Santa 
Maria, was born in Waldo County, 
.„ » Maine, in 1856. His father, M. C. 
Twitchell, was a school-teacher and farmer, 
and moved to Dallas County, Iowa, in 1857, 
Our subject was educated in the common 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



575 



schools, and at the age of sixteen years began 
working out, preferring that to study. He 
•first came to California in 1876 and passed 
four months ahout San Francisco; then re- 
turned home, and in the fall of 1877 again 
returned to the coast, to make California his 
permanent home. His first business was at 
Oakland, where he bought an interest in a 
freight boat, which he ran about the bay, but 
after a few months sold out, and in 1878 
came to Santa Maria. He first purchased 
160 acres, south of town, but he has since 
added to the amount of 265 acres. Being 
somewhat of a trader in lands and also inter- 
ested in real-estate business with O. W. 
Maulsby, his acreage property is quite vari- 
able. His farming is for stock purposes, and 
he sows about 200 acres for hay and feed. 
He keeps about forty head of horses and cat- 
tle, and has also been extensively engaged in 
raising hogs, which he purposes to make his 
chief business. 

Mr. Twitchell was married in Santa Maria, 
in September, 1881, to Miss Mattie Stubber- 
field, a native of California, and they have 
had two children, — Eva May and Fred Mar- 
tin. Mrs. Twitchell died in May, 1887, of 
pneumonia. In 1882 Mr. Twitchell served 
one year as Deputy Sheriff, under R. J. 
Broughton, and in 1887 was Road Master, but 
both positions were resigned, as his private 
business took all his time. He is a member 
of Santa Maria Lod<re, No. 302, I. 0. O. F. 



iUFIJS FISK, a prominent rancher of 
San Luis Obispo County, was born at 
Wilton, Ontario, Canada, January 19. 

1854. He is the only child of Lovina Lapuin 

Fisk and George F. Fisk, now deceased. 

Both his parents are Canadians by birth. 

When be was twelve years of age, in 1866. 



the family removed to the Pacific Coast and 
settled in Santa Clara County, California, on 
a farm which his father had bought and im- 
proved. When Mr. Fisk was nineteen years 
old his father's death caused him to leave 
school and take charge of the farm, where he 
remained for three years. He then returned to 
school, completing the Latin scientific course 
in the University of the Pacific, where he was 
graduated in 1878. He designed studying 
for the legal profession, but, his farm de- 
manding his attention, he returned and con- 
tinued in that occupation until 1882, when he 
sold out. 

When on a trip from San Jose to San Luis 
Obispo he passed over a fine tract of land 
located on the Nacimiento River, eight miles 
west of San Miguel. He was favorably im- 
pressed with the situation, the prices, and 
the future prospect of the country, and on 
his return purchased 985 acres of the land 
that had previously attracted his attention. 
He has since added to it until he now has 
about 2,000 acres. It is a magnificent ranch, 
a large portion being plow land; and he is 
raising hay, grain, horses and cattle. He 
has built a large barn and a comfortable 
house for present use. Mr. Fisk and family 
took up their permanent abode on the ranch 
in the winter of 1886-'87. In November, 
1890, they moved into San Miguel, where 
Mr. Fisk's business interests demanded his 
attention. 

In 1879 Mr. Fisk was married to Miss 
Eininogene A. Barnes, a native of the Golden 
West, and the eldest daughter of Captain T. 
F. Barnes, a prominent farmer of Santa 
Clara County. Mrs. Fisk is a graduate of 
the State Normal School of San Jose, and a 
teacher by profession. They have one daugh- 
ter, Stella, born to them July 2, 1884, in 
Santa Clara County. 

Mr. Fisk is a Master Mason, a member of 



576 



SANTA BARB ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



the Odd Fellow's Lodge, the Farmers' Al- 
liance, a Master of the Grange and one of its 
charter members. He is also a member of 
the A. 0. U. W.; his wife is a member of 
the Grange, Farmers' Alliance and Order of 
the Eastern Star. 

They take an active part in all social and 
progressive movements in their community; 
are people of refinement, and highly esteemed 
by their friends and acquaintances. 

— — ""-" I'SnS *!**-*- 



G. BENNISON, one of the business 
men of Santa Paula, was born in Mem- 
**M a phis. Missouri, September 1, 1858. 
His father, Henry Bennison, was born in Eng- 
land, in 1826, and came to America in 1846. 
He entered the regular army of the United 
States, fought through the Mexican war; was 
then sent to Florida to fight the Indians; and 
also served all through the late war. Mr. 
Bennison's mother was nee Miss Agnes Perry, 
a native of Michigan. They had two chil- 
dren, the subject of this sketch being the 
first born. At twenty years of age he went 
to learn the blacksmith's trade in Galesburg, 
Illinois, in 1878. He opened a shop in 
Galesburg, which he conducted for several 
years. He sold out and came to Santa Paula, 
California, in 1884, and bought his present 
shop on Main street, where he is doing an 
extensive business for the size of the town. 
Three men are employed in the shop besides 
himself, and they do blacksmithing and car- 
riage work. Since coming to California, Mr. 
Bennison has purchased forty acres of land, 
located about two miles east of Santa Paula, 
which he has improved and on which he has 
built a neat residence. With the exception 
of a fine orchard of a variety of fruits, the 
whole place is devoted to French prunes and 
English walnuts. The neat way in which 



the property is kept shows the thrift and en- 
terprise of the owner. 

Mr. Bennison was united in marriage, in 
1885. to Miss Eda Olmstead, a native of Cali- 
fornia, born in 1867. They have one daugh- 
ter, Eda B., born in Santa Paula, December 
22, 1887. Mr. Bennison is a Republican, 
and a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. 

fB. PALIN. — Among the many active 
business men with which Ventura 
County abounds, we find the subject of 
this sketch the peer of any of them. He 
is a native of Canada, of French parents, 
born within twenty miles of the State line of 
New York, east of the St. Lawrence Biver, 
January 6, 1847. He came to California in 
1869, and to his present locality in 1873. 
At that time there was but little farming 
done in this part of the county, the land 
being used for stock purposes. Mr. Gries 
and Mr. Bell had engaged in agricultural 
pursuits to some extent, but the whole Pleas- 
ant Valley, now so beautiful with its well- 
tilled fields, was then a wild-looking place, 
indeed. Mr. Palin first worked for Mr. 
Savers about three years, and then engaged 
in raising sheep Three years later he sold 
out his sheep interests, and began farming 
and raising horses and cattle, continuing at 
that business four years. He then purchased 
a large tract of land, which he is having 
farmed. He is also farming 1,700 acres of 
land in Pleasant Valley, having six men in 
his employ and using thirty work horses. 
Last year he harvested 11,000 sacks of barley. 
This year, 1890, he is planting 170 acres to 
beans, 120 to corn, and the rest to barley and 
wheat. 

Mr. Palin is a lover of fine horses, and de- 
votes considerable attention to breeding the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



577 



Hambletonian stock. He is the owner of the 
valuable horse Dew Drop, which is eight 
years old, and is the most valuable horse of 
the kind now in the county. At a horse show 
in Santa Barbara he received a diploma for 
this horse, which is framed and hanging in 
his best room. He is also the owner of John 
Thompson, a very valuable and tine three- 
year-old colt, of this breed. He owns the 
thoroughbred mare, Eva P. She is the 
mother of some fine grade colts. 

Mr. Palin is a Republican, and takes an 
active part in political matters. For some 
time he was a member of the County Central 
Republican Committee from Pleasant Valley 
precinct. In 1889 he was a Republican dele- 
gate to the State Senatorial Convention, and 
aided in the nomination of Judge Hickcock 
for Senator. 

— " »*' ig * 3"i * |' ««" — - 



E. KALTMEYER is one of the thrifty 
and enterprising self-made men of 
■ a Ventura County. He was born in 
Germany, of well-to-do German parents in 
1842, and received his education in his native 
country. A spirit of independence and a de- 
sire to do for himself prompted him to start 
for the United States, here to earn a living 
and ultimately to establish a home for him- 
self. He came in 1856, and settled at St. 
Louis, Missouri, where he learned the trade 
of a confectioner and cook, and was engaged 
in that business there for ten years; he then 
went to Tennessee, where he opened a res 
taurant. Prom there he went to the Paris 
World's Fair, and also visited his parents, 
returning to America three months later. At 
this time he engaged in the cotton and wool 
business, and met with reverses, losing all 
he had made. On his way to New York his 
ship was caught in a severe storm, and he 



came so near losing his life that the other 
things did not seem of much importance. 

In 1861 Mr. Kaltmeyer enlisted in a Mis- 
souri volunteer regiment, and served three 
months, during that time participating in 
the battle of Springfield, Missouri. Some 
time after being mustered out of service, he 
again located in St. Louis, Missouri, and was 
engaged in business there until 1866. While 
in that city, in 1863, he married Miss Jose- 
phine Young, a native of Germany. To them 
were born two lovely children. During the 
fearful cholera epidemic in St. Louis, they 
were all taken with the disease, and both wife 
and children died, he alone of the little fam- 
ily being left. At this time he was broken 
in spirit and also met with financial reverses. 
With what money he had left he came to 
California in 1868, via Panama. In San 
Francisco he worked at his trade, and in the 
fall he went to Napa County, where he heard 
there was choice government land in South- 
ern California, and that it was a fine country. 
He came to Ventura County in December, 
1869, and settled on 160 acres of land, which, 
after a while, he learned was not Government 
land. He bought eighty acres of it at $16.50 
per acre; four years later he bought the other 
eighty; and still two years later he purchased 
sixty-seven acres more that adjoined it. 
Nearly all this time he was unmarried and 
did his own cooking. After remaining sin- 
gle nearly ten years, he wedded Miss Pauline 
RuofF, a native of Germany. This union has 
been blessed with five children: the h'rst, a 
son, died; the other children are Matilda, 
Emelia, Bertha and Ilulda, all born in Ven- 
tura County. 

Mr. Kaltmeyer has greatly improved and 
beautified his ranch; the house, a very com- 
fortable and attractive one, he built in 1883; 
and the whole property speaks in unmistak- 
able terms of the taste, refinement and enter- 



578 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



prise of the owner. After being broken up 
twice, be bas, by the power of his will and 
close application to business, become inde- 
pendent and affluent. Notwithstanding his 
various experiences, he still looks young, and, 
no doubt, has before hiin a long and success- 
ful career. He was inexperienced in ranch 
life when he came to his present location, and 
many were the difficulties he encountered, 
but he overcame them all, and now ranks 
among the leading ranchers of his district. 
Politically, he is a Republican. 

— — «o»-.ii iy ■ !• 3 * * l « X** »" 

( EKOY ARNOLD is a pioneer of Cali- 
fornia, having come to this coast in 1852, 
when a boy ten years of age. He was 
born in De Kalb County, Illinois, January 
22, 1842. His father, Cullar Arnold, is a 
native of Ohio, born in 1818, and now resides 
in Orange, Orange County, California. The 
Arnolds were among the early settlers of 
America. Mr. Arnold's mother, Emily 
(Hough) Arnold, was born in the State of 
Illinois. For a number of generations her 
ancestors were residents of the United States. 
Leroy Arnold is one of a family of nine chil- 
dren, six sons and two daughters now being 
residents of California, and one child having 
died in infancy. His father, on coming to 
California with his family, settled in Marys- 
ville, and opened two stores of miners' sup- 
plies, one at Nelson Creek and the other at 
Goodyear's Bar. He was there for three 
years, and then moved to Martinez, Contra 
Costa County, where he farmed two years. 
After this he kept hotel in Sierra County. 
In 1857 they went to Lassen County, en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising, and re- 
mained there until 1868, when they came to 
Ventura County and located on 320 acres of 
land, where the Arnold brothers now reside. 



After finding that it was not Government land 
they bought the property, and later added 
900 acres more. It is a splendid tract of 
land, three miles east of Hueneme. The 
brothers have bought and sold among them- 
selves, and Leroy Arnold now owns 160 acres 
of it. He has improved this by building, 
tree-planting, etc. He has an artesian well, 
with seven and a half inch pipe, in which the 
water rises sixteen feet above the level of the 
ground. He has remodeled the house, built 
the barns, and, under his judicious manage- 
ment, the place presents an attractive ap- 
pearance. 

Mr. Arnold was married September 19, 
1876, to Miss Carrie F. Hill, a native of In- 
diana, and daughter of William Hill. They 
have had seven children, all natives of the 
Golden State, and all living, viz.: Effie F. is 
the wife of A. D. Smith, and resides in San 
Buenaventura; Mary L. married S. G. Shep- 
pard, and resides at Hueneme, and the fol- 
lowing are at home with their parents, — 
Martha E., Oliver B., Royston O, Alton E. 
and Ida L. Mr. Arnold is a Master Mason 
and a member of the A. O. U. W. In poli- 
tics, he is a Republican, having cast his first 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. 



CONNELLY is another one of the 
prominent ranchers of the Santa Clara 
S^® Yalley, who has risen by his own fru- 
gality and industry to an enviable position 
as a citizen and land -owner. He is one of a 
number of gentlemen of Irish birth who left 
their native land to enjoy the liberty of citi- 
zenship in the United States. Several of 
them have settled in the same neighborhood, 
and when they came here they found the 
country a waste; by their industry they have 
made it a paradise, dotted all over with the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



579 



fine homes of a thrifty people. The well 
tilled fields of this valley, the neat farm 
houses with their fruit and shade trees and 
flowers, all go to make up a picture beautiful 
to behold. 

Mr. Connelly was born in County Mona- 
ghan, Ireland, March 10, 1844, and came to 
America in 1866, at the age of twenty-two 
years. He first worked for wages in New 
York and New Jersey. In 1869 he came to 
California. After working some time in 
Contra Costa County and also in Sonoma 
County, and not liking the country, he came 
to Ventura County and was pleased with the 
prospect here. He was employed by Mr. 
Leonard and Mr. Hill, and later he rented 
200 acres of land and bought a small house. 
After working along in this way until 1876, 
he purchased his present ranch of 264 acres 
of Thomas R. Bard. By building and other 
improvements he has made a valuable prop- 
erty of this. 

Mr. Connelly was married in 1878, to Miss 
Eliza Cline, a native of County Longford, 
Ireland. They have had nine children, six of 
whom are living, all born at their present 
home, viz.: John L., Ann C, Mary, Joseph 
A., Frances and James N. The whole family 
are members of the Catholic Church. In his 
politics Mr. Connelly is a Democrat. He 
has been Roadmaster of his district for the 
last five 3 7 ears. 



POLLEY is a pioneer of the State of 
California, and hailed from Walthani, 
9 Massachusetts, where he was born De- 
cember 22, 1822. His father, Elnathan Pol- 
ley, was a native of the same place. Their 
ancestors were Welsh people, and were among 
the earliest settlers of New England. II is 
mother, Marian (Brigham) Policy, was a 



native of Massachusetts, of English descent. 
They have the genealogy of the family back 
to the old barony of Bludgehonse, England. 
Mr. Polley had eight brothers and sisters. 
Five of them are still living, three older 
than himself. He was reared and educated 
in Massachusetts, and learned the machinist's 
trade, which he followed in the East. In 
1851 he came to California. He engaged in 
milling in Sacramento in 1852, and has the 
honor of grinding and putting up the first 
sack of merchantable flour put up in that 
shape in the State. After four years in 
the mill, he engaged in contracting and 
building, and also did some farming. In 
1876 he came to Ventura County, and be- 
came a rancher and thresher. In 1884 he 
purchased his present home property, erected 
buildings, planted trees and otherwise im- 
proved it, and is now engaged in raising bar- 
ley and fine horses. 

Mr. Polley was married in 1843 to Miss 
Charlotte Ann Kellom, a native of New 
Hampshire, born at Hillsborough, September 
6, 1824. To them were born nine children, 
four of whom are now living: Martha K., 
married J. Y. Saviers, and resides in Texas; 
Charles II., born in 1859, married Miss Ken 
Cunningham, and has two children. He is 
his father's business partner, the firm being 
Polley & Son. George F. was born in 1861, 
and is now a resident of Ventura County. 
Porter L. was born in 1865; is married and 
resides in Colorado. Their sons were all 
born in California. 

Mr. Polley resided in Sacramento during 
the exciting times of the Vigilant Commit- 
tee, and aided in the organization of the Re- 
publican party there; ran on the ticket for a 
member of the State Assembly, and slumped 
his district for John C. Fremont, the " Path- 
finder." They were both stoned and clubbed. 
He lived in Mendocino during the war, and 



580 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



it was about as much as a man's life was 
worth to announce himself a Republican. At 
a meeting held in Sacramento city, the Re- 
publican speaker, Henry Bates, was rotten- 
egged. Mr. Polley saw a chief justice throw- 
ing eggs, and a county judge paraded in 
front of the stand with gun in hand, swear- 
ing that he would shoot the first Republican 
that would open his month. There were at 
one time three tickets in the field, and nine 
candidates met at one place. They agreed to 
hold a discussion, each one to have fifteen 
minutes' time. Among other things they 
were to express their opinions on the action 
of the Vigilant Committee. Mr. Polley said: 
" I will say one thing, and no man can gain- 
say it. Every man that the committee hung 
was a Democrat, and every man they ban- 
ished from the State was one, and I hope 
none of them will ever return." Those were 
exciting times in California, and people of 
the present can scarcely think it possible that 
such a state of affairs could have existed. 
Mr. Polley is a Master Mason. Notwith- 
standing the fact that he has seen and been 
through the early turbulent times of the 
State, having lived here thirty-nine years, he 
is still quite a young-looking man. 

- -^ iit\\ ill ?t tSL ill J i ,\\ Inl 

,o»-,M^-,l. jt «j .1^.1^.. 

|ONLON BROTHERS are prominent 
ranchers of Hueneme, and natives of 
California. Their father, Peter Don- 
Ion, came to Ventura County in 1870, with 
his wife and their two little sons. He pur- 
chased 400 acres of land, which has since be- 
come valuable property. It was at that time 
a wilderness, and the little board house, still 
standing not far from their more modern 
home, speaks plainly of pioneer times and 
days of small things. Peter Donlon was 
born in County Longford, Ireland, in 1846, 



both his parents being natives of Ireland. 
He was an industrious and respected citizen, 
and by his honest toil he had provided him- 
self and his family with a comfortable home, 
surrounded by fruit trees and fields of waving 
grain, in one of the most fertile valleys of the 
State. Here, when he was so favorably sit- 
uated to enjoy life, a fatal accident occurred, 
in 1888, that terminated his useful life. He 
was engaged in cutting trees, atid a ladder 
was thrown against his head by a falling 
tree, which resulted in his death a few hours 
afterward. This sad accident was a severe 
trial to his family, and a shock to the com- 
munity in which he had resided so long. He 
left a family of five children, three sons and 
two daughters, as follows: James T., born in 
Alameda County, July 29, 1868; Charles, 
also born in Alameda County, August 30, 
1869; Joseph, born at the home ranch in 
1871; and both the sisters, Mary and Ida, 
also born at the home place. 

Since their father's death the farm is being 
conducted by the sons, under the firm name 
of Donlon Brothers, and the sisters manao-e 
the housekeeping. The crop raised on this 
ranch is principally barley, but they also do 
general farming and raise horses, cattle and 
hogs. They are agents for 600 acres of land 
besides their own ranch, and 350 acres of it 
they are farming. 

The family are all members of the Catholic 
Church. The two oldest sons belong to the 
Yonng Men's Institute, and the youngest is 
a member of the order of Native Sons of the 
Golden West. 




D. BLACKBURN, a pioneer who ar- 
rived in this State August 12, 1849, 
is the founder, in partnership with his 



brother-in-law, Hon. D. 



W. James, of the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



581 



beautiful young city of El Paso de Robles 
(the pass of oaks), now one of the most attrac- 
tive and beautiful young cities of San Luis 
Obispo County. This firm are also the pro- 
jectors and builders of the great sulphur 
hot springs bath-house, for which the town is 
now so justly celebrated as a famous health 
resort. They also gave to the city the nice 
park which adds so much to the beauty of 
the place, and are now engaged in the com- 
pletion of their brick hotel, comprising two 
stories and a basement, 285x300 feet, and 
130 rooms, furnished with all the latest im- 
provements. This institution is a magnifi- 
cent ornament to the beautiful city, and is a 
grand monument of credit to their enterprise 
and success as builders. With such men at 
the helm, the future of the town is assured. 

Where are these men from? Mr. Black- 
burn was born at Harper's Ferry, Jefferson 
County, Virginia, April 8, 1816, a section of 
the Union noted for the birth and rearing of 
many of the sturdiest men of the nation. In 
1822 Mr. Blackburn removed with his par- 
ents to Springfield, Ohio, where he grew up 
and learned the carpenter's trade, which has 
sii.-ce been of much value to him. After fol- 
lowing it six years, he became a clerk in a 
store and warehouse for Phelps & Summers, 
in Oquawka, Henderson County, Illinois. 
He afterward formed a partnership, the firm 
being Swezey, Seymour & Blackburn, pork- 
packers in that place, and they carried on the 
business successfully until the spring of 1849, 
packing from 65,000 to 75,000 head of hogs 
annually and shipping them down the Mis- 
sissippi River to market. 

Mow a new era arrived in the life of Mr. 
Blackburn, nis brother, William, who had 
come to California in 1844, was writing glow- 
ing accounts of his new home in this delight- 
ful country; and the gold excitement of 1849 
gave an irresistible impetus which carried 



our subject, with his brothers James and 
Jacob, his brother-in-law, Findley,' and his 
partner Henry Seymour and James Wester- 
field, forth to the Golden West. Electing 
Mr. Findley Captain, and Mr. Blackburn 
Lieutenant, and taking three wagons and 
three yoke of oxen to each wagon and two 
years' supply of provisions, they joined a com- 
pany of 120 men, crossed the Missouri River 
at Iowa Point, May 5, 1849, and crossed the 
plains and mountains to the " promised land " 
without accident or loss, arriving at Deer 
Creek August 12. They were the first to do 
mining in what is now Nevada City. Mr. 
Blackburn followed mining nine days on the 
South Yuba, and then went to Santa Cruz 
and engaged in farming on his brother's land, 
on shares. He put in twenty -eight acres of 
potatoes and cleared for the crop about 
$16,000. The yield was abundant and they 
sold at six to twelve cents a pound. Mr. 
Blackmail has paid $1 a pound in California 
for the seed. He also had about eighty acres 
of barley, oats and wheat, and he continued in 
grain farming until 1857. In June of that 
year he came to Paso Robles, in company 
with his brother James, and purchased 22,000 
acres of land known as the Paso Robles 
Rancho of Petronillo Rios,- which included 
the hot sulphur springs — at a cost of $8,000. 
They engaged in stock raising on this ranch, 
having as many as 10,000 head of live-stock 
at one time. The dry season of 1864 cauffht 
them with about 3,000 head of cattle, nearly 
all of which were lost. Bad it not been for 
the hogs they had on the ranch, they would 
have been broken. 

In 1860 the firm divided their interests in 
the ranch, Mr. Blackburn taking the league 
of land which included the springs. lie sold 
a half interest to Mr. McGreel, who in 1865 
sold his interest to D. W. James, for $11,000; 
and in 1873 James II. Blackburn bought a 



582 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



fourth interest in the property. Mr. Black- 
burn and his friend James kept "bach" 
until 1866, when two bright young ladies, 
the Misses Dunn, natives of Australia, be- 
came aware of their " hopeless " condition, and 
after the usual amount of urgent persuasion 
consented to share their lot with them on the 
beautiful Paso Robles Kancho. The couples 
were married at San Luis Obispo by Father 
Francis Mora, now Bishop at Los Angeles, 
and a warm friend of all the parties in the 
affair. Mr. Blackburn, our subject, chose 
Celia Dunn, a daughter of Patrick Dunn, a 
California " 49er," and of their ten children, 
nine are living, viz.: James W., Francis J., 
Henry H., Margaret, Daniel, Nellie, Annie, 
Harriet and Frederick. Jennie was killed by 
the accidental upsetting of the wagon. 



P. FAULKNER is a prominent land- 
' ■*■ owner and horticulturist of San Luis 
1° Obispo County. His ranch is in the 
Ranch ita Valley, three and a half miles east 
of San Miguel. He is a native of Guilford, 
Connecticut, born May 4, 1853. He was 
born in the house where his father, William 
Faulkner, and his grandfather, Charles Faulk- 
ner, were born. Faulkner Island took its 
name from this family. His mother, Mary 
Griswold (Stowe) Faulkner, was a native of 
New Haven, Connecticut; her father, Pittman 
Stowe, was born in Guilford, Connecticut, 
and their ancestors had been among the very 
earliest of America. Mr. Faulkner, our sub- 
ject, was the only child by his father's second 
marriage, and was educated at Yale College, 
and completed his studies in pharmacy and 
chemistry at Philadelphia. His father was a 
pioneer of California, and in the year 1849 
was one of the publishers of the Pacific News. 
He was an accomplished writer and business I 



man. His editorials, at that early date, show 
a perfect estimate of what San Francisco was 
to be. His death occurred in 1882. Mr. C. 
P. Faulkner began the drug business in San 
Francisco, in 1873, on the corner of Mission 
and Fifth streets, where he has conducted a 
successful business continuously for fifteen 
years, with the exception that in the year 
1876, being much impressed with the ac- 
counts given by Wells and Squiers in their 
works, of the richness of Honduras, Central 
America, in the precious metals and opals, 
he left his business and traveled for about a 
year in that country as a miner. Finding 
that, though the country was very rich, it 
was impossible to mine at a profit, he re- 
turned to his business in San Francisco. 

In 1884 he recovered from a severe 
attack of pneumonia, and to regain his health 
made a trip to San Luis Obispo County. He 
regained his health so rapidly, and was so 
delighted with the country that he called it 
God's footstool, and believed in the great 
future of the county. He selected 160 acres 
of beautiful land, commanding a fine view of 
the county, and filed a claim on it for a 
homestead, in 1885. It is located four and 
a half miles east of San Miguel, and they 
have built upon it a pleasant and cosy resi- 
dence. Mr. Faulkner, his wife and two sons 
reside on it, and take great pleasure in raising 
fruit, of which they have a large variety. 
The leading kinds are walnuts, chestnuts, 
pears, apples, peaches, apricots, prunes, nec- 
tarines, figs and cherries. They have a nice 
vineyard of many kinds of grapes. 

Mr. Faulkner was married in San Fran- 
cisco, in 1872, to Miss Nellie McMorris, a 
native of Toronto, Canada, daughter of Ro- 
bert McMorris, also of Canada. They have 
two sons, born in San Francisco; the oldest 
is now seventeen and measures six feet in 
height, and the youngest is nearly as tall. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



583 



Mr. Faulkner is a Past Master of Excelsior 
Lodge, No. 166. Mrs. Faulkner is a member 
of Violet Chapter of the Eastern Star Lodge 
at San Miguel. They are refined and intel- 
ligent people, and their success in raising- 
fruit without irrigation show the fruit-pro- 
ducing value of the county. 

— — *§*>«**§•*-»• — 

^miCIIAEL 11ARKOLD, a dairyman 
'iuwfW nea1 ' Cayucos, was born in Ireland, 
^St- in October, 1828. July 4, 1849, he 
alighted upon American soil, the land of 
opportunity. For the first twelve years he 
lived in New York city and vicinity. In 
1861 he arrived in Marin County, California, 
where he worked for wages for a period of 
rive years. Then he took a homestead in 
Sonoma County. Later he followed dairying 
on rented property. After residing in that 
county two years he came to Cayucos and 
vicinity, where he entered extensively into 
the dairying business. In 1883 he located 
upon his present ranch of 320 acres, on Old 
Creek five miles from Cayucos, where he 
was engaged chiefly in dairying with fair 
profit. 

He was married in 1866, to Miss Margaret 
Phillips, and has seven children: Elizabeth 
Dorcas, John, Mary, Victoria Lee, Margaret, 
Michael Dennis and Susan Fidelia. 

© » - 6) 
«*~*~i « 3 » | f m ' %+ «oi -- 

(APTAIN RICHARD ROBINSON is 
one of Ventura County's prominent 

?*• horticulturists and stock-raisers, having 
2,440 acres of land devoted to the above 
mentioned pui suits. lie was for forty years, 
the beet of his life, a seafaring man, most of 
that time master of a vessel, and has there- 
fore honorably earned the title of Captain. 



The past eighteen years he has been identi- 
fied with Ventura County and its interests. 
It is not a little surprising that a man who 
had followed the sea for forty years, should 
at once be transformed into a successful horti- 
culturist, and that, too, in a county where 
the raising of fruit, when he began, was but 
an experiment. Mr. Hobart and himself 
were the pioneers in the business in the 
Upper Ojai Valley. In 1872 the Captain 
purchased 440 acres of land, on which he 
built and planted and improved. He now 
has forty-five acres in fruit, apricots, nec- 
tarines, prunes, peaches, apples, olives, wal- 
nuts and oranges, all yielding large returns. 
He has his own dryer on the ranch. In addi- 
tion to his fruit interests, he is also raisino- 

to 

horses, cattle and hay on this ranch. This 
property is being managed by his son, 
Richard O. Captain Robinson has bouoht 
2,000 acres of It nd on the Santa Ana ranch, 
ten miles north of Ventura, where he is rais- 
ing Hambletonian horses and grade Holstein 
and Durham cattle. He has imported a fine 
Hambletonian horse and several thoroughbred 
brood mares, and now has about 150 head of 
cattle and sixty horses. He also raises hay 
on this place. 

Captain Robinson was born in Thomaston 
Knox County, Maine, August 13, 1817. His 
father, Richard Robinson, was born in North 
Wales, in 1787, came to Maine when a boy 
fourteen years old, and was a sea captain, 
most of his life a master of merchant ships, 
principally in the cotton trade between New 
Orleans and different ports in Europe. The 
last twenty years of his life he was President 
of the Thomaston Bank. He married Miss 
Jane Wyllie, a native of Bristol, Maine, 
daughter of Captain John Wyllie. also a ship 
owner. They had a family of ten children, 
four of whom are living, two in California, 
one in Brooklyn, New York, and one at the 



584 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



old home in Maine. Captain Robinson re- 
ceived his early education in his native State, 
and at the age of seventeen years began to 
sail with his father; was two years before the 
mast, six months second officer, three years 
chief mate, and after that was master of the 
ship Catharine, of which both he and his 
father owned a part. She sailed between the 
South ports and New York, Boston and Eu- 
rope. The Captain has seen much rough 
weather, but never lost a ship or had a serious 
accident. He was married, in 1840, to Miss 
Mary Wentworth, of Lincolnville, Maine, 
and daughter of Captain John Wentworth, 
also a native of that State, and a seaman. 
Mrs. Robinson sailed with her husband dur- 
ing the greater part of his seafaring life, so he 
was not deprived of the company of his family. 
Their union has been blessed with two sons, 
Richard O. and Charles W., both born at 
Thomaston, Maine. Charles is now devoting' 
his time to the study of music in Boston at 
the New England Conservatory of Music. 
Both the sons are married. The Captain 
and his family retired from the sea in 1872, 
after a most successful career, and settled in 
Ventura County, where they have since 
resided. In politics Captain Robinson is 
Republican. He is a quiet, unobtrusive man, 
never seeking notoriety. He has purchased 
a neat home on Oak street, Ventura, where 
he and the partner of his life are quietly 
spending the evening of their voyage on life's 
tempestuous sea. 



^DOLPHO CAMARILLO was born in 
San Buenaventura, October 29, 1864. 
^ His father, Juan Camarillo, was a native 
of the city of Mexico, born in 1812. He 
came to California with a colony, in 1834, 
they having for their destination Monterey, 



and, becoming tired of the sea, landing at 
San Diego and continuing their journey by 
land. Juan Camarillo left the party at Santa 
Barbara, and became a traveler and trader 
with the Indians from San Francisco to San 
Diego, selling them trinkets and receiving 
gold in return. The Mission Fathers were 
very obliging to travelers, and gave him a 
room in which to lodge, and there, when all was 
quiet at the mission, the Indians came to 
trade. In this trade with the Indiaus he 
accumulated $3,000, and with this money he 
opened a store in Santa Barbara, and there 
made his money. 

Mr. Pedro Ruiz had a large goverment 
grant of land, and upon his death the heirs 
sold the property, 10,000 acres of beautiful 
land, to Mr. Camarillo. He also owned town 
property in Ventura. Mr. Camarillo's family 
consisted of four daughters and three sons. 
One of the latter is deceased. The father 
died December 4, 1880. The Ventura prop- 
erty was left to the daughters, who are now 
married and reside in Ventura, and the ranch 
was left to the widow and two sons. Mr. 
Adolpho Camarillo is the manager of, and 
resides upon, the ranch, while his mother and 
brother, Juan Camarillo, live in Ventura, the 
latter being engaged in the general mer- 
chandise business. 

Adolpho Camarillo was educated in the 
public schools ot Ventura, and graduated at 
the International Business College at Los 
Angeles. He has been on the ranch since 
his father's death, and is extensively engaged 
in the raising of sheep, keeping an average 
of 4,000 head. He also raises the horses and 
cattle required on the ranch. Mr. Camarillo 
rents 2,500 acres of land to be cultivated in 
corn and Lima beans, 800 acres beings devoted 
to the latter. The renters furnish every 
thing and pay one-fourth of the crop for the 
use of the land. 



A\D VENTURA COUNTIES. 



585 



The subject of this sketch was married, in 
1888, to Miss Isabella Maticheca, daughter 
of Francisco Mancheca, a native of Spain. 
They have one child, a daughter, Minerva. 
Both Mr. Camarillo and his wife are members 
of the Catholic Church. Politically he 
affiliates with the Democratic party. 



fRANK P BARROWS, the leading 
general merchant in the town of Nord- 
hoff, was born in Martha's Vineyard, 
Massachusetts, June 23, 1850. His father, 
J. L. Barrows, was a descendant of the Puri 
tan Fathers. (See the ancestory of the family 
in the history of his brother, Thomas Barrows, 
in this book.) The subject of this sketch is 
the youngest son, and was educated in the 
public schools of his native town. He began 
business for himself, in Chicago, in 1867. In 
1871, he, in partnership with his brother, 
took a general agency for the Victor Sewing 
Machine, and they did a thriving business, 
selling 25,000 machines in the short time 
they were there. They were in the great 
Chicago fire, but a week afterward were at 
business again and receiving orders. Mr. 
Barrows, on account of failing health, his dis- 
ease being throat and lung trouble, was 
obliged to give up business, and, by the ad- 
vice of his physician, came to California in 
1875, and to Ventura County in 1879. lie 
has here fully recovered his health. His first 
venture was to buy the Ojai Valley House 
which he improved and conducted for five 
years. He bought 100 acres of land, and 
later purchased a stock of general merchan- 
dise in Nordhoff, and is doing a thriving 
business, employing five clerks. He has the 
largest store and stock of goods in the town, 
and enjoys the confidence and patronage of 
the people in the two valleys. He is liberal 

37 



in his views on all topics, and has good 
natural as well as acquired ability for the 
mercantile business. He takes orders and 
delivers goods all over the territory which 
naturally belongs to Nordhoff. His custom- 
ers have found they can buy no better goods 
elsewhere. Mr. Barrows gives only a few 
hours each day to his business, just enough 
to keep himself thoroughly informed as to 
bow it is being conducted. He has a hand- 
some residence near the center of town ; the 
grounds, comprising ten acres, are dotted 
over with beautiful live-oaks and other trees, 
with flowers in profusion. A delightfully 
shaded brook runs through the grounds, and 
the whole place speaks of taste and refinement. 
Mr. Barrows was married in 1882, to Miss 
Julia Smith of San Francisco, dauohter of 
Stephen Smith, a merchant there. This 
union has been blessed with three children, 
all born in Nordhoff: Albert L., Stephen S. 
and Edward S. Mr. and Mrs. Barrows are 
both members of the Congregational Church. 
In politics Mr. Barrows is a Republican. He 
spends most of his time with his family, in 
his beautiful home, surrounded with balmy 
air, fine scenery, cooling shade, and enjoys a 
paying business. Why should he not be 
healthy and happy in his lovely California 
home? 

\s> * " m 

C. RYNERSON was born near Stock- 
ton. California, January 4, 1858. His 
° father, C. C. Rynerson, is a native of 
the State of Kentucky, and crossed the plains 
to the Golden State in 1849. He took up a 
Government claim near Stockton, was, for a 
time. Sheriff of the county, and for a number 
• if years was one of the most prominent men 
of San Joaquin County. His ancestry came 
from Germany. One member of the family 



586 



8 ANT A BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



is a leading medical authority of New 
York city. His father died in 1887. His 
mother, Mary A. (Wesley) Rynerson, was 
horn in England, and in infancy came with 
her parents to America. She was the mother 
of nine children, five daughters and four sons, 
only two of whom are now living, the subject 
of this sketch and his sister, Mrs. Eva J. 
Leach, a widow, residing at Santa Barbara. 

Mr. Rynerson received his education at 
Santa Barbara, and when prepared to enter 
the university his eyes became diseased. He 
afterward took a business course at the Heald 
Business College, San Francisco, and engaged 
in the nulling business with his father at 
Santa Barbara. Five or six years later they 
sold the mill and moved to Arizona, re- 
maining there a year, having, at this time, 
failing health. In 1884 gypsum had been 
discovered, and his father returned to Cali- 
fornia to see it, and purchased 660 acres of 
land. They have recently sold a mining claim 
to the Ventura Blaster Company, and the 
gypsum bed will now be worked. Tine sub- 
ject of this sketch has improved the property 
which his father bought, by erecting a pleas- 
ant home and planting fruit trees; he has 
four acres in French prunes, three acres in 
apricots, and an assortment of nearly every 
kind of fruit, including blackberries, rasp- 
berries, and strawberries. He also has twelve 
acres in young olive trees. Many of his fruit 
trees are now in bearing. Mr. Rynerson 
sank a well 196 feet deep, in which the water 
rises to within forty feet of the surface, and 
he has an engine of his own to pump the 
water. For sixteen hours in succession the 
water has run without exhausting the supply. 
Since coming here, Mr. Rynerson has re- 
gained his health, and is now a strong man 
in a fair situation to enjoy life in his pleasant 
California home, which is a typical one, sur- 
rounded with trees and vines and with the 



foot-hills making a delightful back-ground to 
the picture. 

Mr. Rynerson was united in marriage with 
Miss Ida C. Holmes, a native of Wisconsin, 
and daughter of J. T. Holmes, a farmer of 
that state. This union has been bleseed with 
three children, two born at Santa Barbara and 
one at their present home, viz.: Ruth, Edna 
L., and Margery. Mrs. Rynerson is a mem- 
ber of the Fresbyterian Church. Mr. Ryner- 
son is a Trustee of his school district, and 
takes an interest in educational matters. 
Politically, he is a Republican. Earlier in 
life he took an active part in the conventions 
of the party, but more recently devotes his 
time to his ranch. 



W. GALLY, one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of the Ojai Valley, was born 
® in Wheeling, Virginia, July 9, 1852. 
His father, Hon. Thomas M. Gaily, was a 
native of Virginia, a leading Whig politician, 
and was a member of the Constitutional Con- 
vention of Virginia in 1852 and 1854. His 
mother, who, before her marriage, was Miss 
Mary List, was a native of Wheeling and a 
daughter of H. List, Esq., a leading banker 
of Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Gaily had but 
two children, a son, the subject of this sketch, 
and a daughter. 

B. W. Gaily, after receiving a liberal edu- 
cation, was engaged in the banking business 
until his health became impaired. He was 
advised by his physician to give up a seden- 
tary business and seek a milder climate; and 
with that object in view he came to California 
in 1883. He purchased seventy acres of 
land, on which was located a pleasure and 
health resort, one mile -east of the town of 
Nordhotf. This was formerly the property 
of W. S. McKee. Mr. Gaily has improved 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



58: 



the place very much hy erecting four new 
buildings. The hotel is on the cottage plan, 
with main buildings in the middle contain- 
ing parlor and dining-room, and the cottages 
affording home conveniences. It is situated 
on a beautiful lawn, shaded and made delight- 
ful by scattering live oak trees. It is both a 
winter and a summer resort; is patronized in 
summer by Californians, and in winter by 
Eastern people. All are delighted by the 
grand and picturesque scenery, which meets 
the eye in every direction. A fine new Pres- 
byterian Church edifice stands near the hotel, 
and the beautiful tree-embowered town of 
Nordhoffis only a mile distant. The whole 
valley is noted for its equitable climate and 
balmy and health-producing air. In the 
valley are found mineral springs, and at the 
hotel an abundance of good water, choice 
fruits of all kinds, and the best of Jersey 
milk and butter. 

Mr. Gaily was united in marriage in 1885 
with Miss Mary Davidson, a native of Jef- 
ferson City, Missouri, and a daughter of Dr. 
William Davidson of that place. Howard 
and Killborne, their two children, were born 
at their present beautiful home. Mr. Gaily 
is possessed of those courteous and agreeable 
manners so characteristic of the Southern 
gentleman. In his political views, he is Re- 
publican. Mrs. Gaily is a member of the 
Episcopal Church. 



fllOMAS A. SMEPPARD is a native 
of the Golden West and a business man 
of Ilueneine. He was born in Tulare 
County, November 5, 1862, and is a son of 
Judge S. A. Sheppard, a native of Maryland. 
(His history will be found on another page 
in this book.) The subject of this sketch was 
educated in the public schools and also took 



a course in the Heald Business College, San 
Francisco. After completing his education, 
he went to Los Angeles, where he engaged 
in the real-estate business, under the firm 
name of T. A. Sheppard & Co., Peter Ward 
and William Wright being the other mem- 
bers of the firm. They did a thriving com- 
mission business, and continued it until 
1887. They were the exclusive agents for 
an East Los Angeles tract belonging to Dr. 
J. PL Griffin, and were also agents for a Sis- 
ter of Charity tract, both of which they closed 
out in a satisfactory manner to all parties 
concerned. Mr. Sheppard then removed to 
the Ojai Valley and engaged in the real-es- 
tate business with Mr. Stewart. He remained 
there until business became dull. He next 
moved to Hueneme, and here bought out the 
drug business of his brother, S. D. Sheppard, 
which he still continues. He has the only 
drug store in the town and is doing a fine 
business. 

Mr. Sheppard was married, in 1884, to 
Miss Pell Hutchings, of Los Angeles. She 
was born on the plains, while In r parents 
were en route to California. They have three 
daughters: Madge, born in Los Angeles, 
Florence, in Ventura, and the youngest (not 
named) born in Hueneme. 

Politically, Mr. Sheppard is a Democrat. 

T. GILGER, the junior member of the 
firm of Livingston & Gilger, of Huen- 
i° erne, Ventura County, was born in 
Ohio, April 13, 1865. His father, Daniel 
Gilmer, is also a native of that State, and his 
grandfather, Jacob Gilger, was born in Ger- 
many and settled in Ohio in the early pioneer 
days of that State, lie was a weaver by- 
trade, and the family still have in their pos- 
session cloth made by him at a time when 



588 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



everything they wore was woven from their 
own wool r and flax. Mr. Gilger's mother, 
Cynthia (Turbett) Gilger, was born in Ohio, 
of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage. They had 
three children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch is the eldest. He first came to Cali- 
fornia and to Ventura, with his father and 
family, in 1871. They returned 1o the East, 
settled up their business, and came back to 
this State the following year, remaining a 
year in Sutter County. In 1873 the family 
came to Ventura County, where the lather 
purchased iorty-five acres of land, near New- 
Jerusalem, on which he erected buildings 
and otherwise improved, and engaged in the 
real-estate business, in which he met with 
fair success. In 1877 he purchased 120 
acres of land. 

The subject of this sketch had two farms 
near New Jerusalem, which he sold and after- 
ward bought ninety-five acres of his father. 
They are both pleasantly situated and have 
erected comfortable homes. In February, 
1890, Mr. Gilger bought a halt' interest in 
their present grocery, hardware and produce 
business. They have a good stock of goods 
and have established a fine trade. 

Mr. Gilger was united in marriage with 
Miss Annie Middleswarth, a native of Ohio. 
They have one child, Fred, born in Ventura 
County. Politically, Mr. Gilger is a Repub- 
lican. 

— -HHh**? 1 *-. — 

fOHN DONLON is oneof the prominent 
ranchers of Ventura County, California. 
He was born in County Longford, Ire- 
land, in the year 1847, the son of Irish par- 
ents. He came to California, in the fall of 
1870, and since that time has been variously 
employed. He first worked for wages at San 
Jose and in Alameda County for three years. 



Next he went to San Francisco, where he 
was employed for two years. In 1875 he 
came to Ventura County, and worked out for 
a year, after which he engaged in sheep- 
raising, following that business seven years, 
and keeping from 500 to 3,000 sheep. He 
sold his sheep and pnrchased 403 acres of 
land, and on this property he has since lived, 
engaged in farming. His principal crop has 
been barley, of which he has raised 3,400 
sacks in a single year, which sold for ninety 
cents per hundred pounds. He also raises 
horses, cattle and hogs. 

Nearly all this time Mr. Donlon lived the 
life of a i-ingle man. June 24, 1886, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary Forrer, 
a beautiful young lady, native of Utah, and 
daughter of Fred and Caroline Forrer, na- 
tives of Germany. Now things are changed 
at the once dreary bachelor's hall, for here 
are two interesting children: Peter A., born 
April 28, 1887, and William C, born De- 
cember 2, 1888. The patter of children's 
feet can be heard and the prattle of childish 
voices greet the tired father as he returns 
from his daily routine of ranch life; and he 
whispers to himself, " How much I missed 
by remaining single so long!" 

Mr. Donlon is, religiously, a Catholic, and, 
politically, a Democrat. He has served the 
public as School Trustee, and is much inter- 
ested in the development of his section of the 
country. Living, as he does, so near the 
village of New Jerusalem, he enjoys the ad- 
vantages of stores, school and church. 



fOHN SCARLETT, one of the old set- 
tlers and prominent ranchers of the 
Santa Clara Valley, is a native of the 
" Emerald Isle," born in County Fermanagh, 
June 18, 1825. His parents, Richard and 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



589 



Elizabeth Scarlett, were natives of Ireland, 
lived on a farm, and were members of the 
Episcopal Church. John was educated in 
his native country, and came to the United 
States in 1852. He engaged in the wool and 
cotton dyeing business five years. He came 
to California in 1867, and had charge of an 
engine in a San Francisco sugar refinery. 
Mr. Scarlett remembers Mr. Spreckles when 
he started a little business there at that time. 
After three years spent in San Francisco, he 
moved to Alameda County, built a hotel and 
conducted it from 1861 to 1870, after which 
he rented it. There was a deal of travel on 
the roads at that time and the hotel business 
was a very profitable one. Mr. Scarlett next 
engaged in sheep-raising, keeping from 4,000 
to 5,000 sheep. This also proved a profitable 
business and he continued it four years be- 
fore coming to his present locality. While 
in this business he lived in a tent both win- 
ter and summer. When he came to this 
county he brought 2,700 sheep, three men 
and a cook. The journey was made by land, 
and their diet was principally biscuits and 
bacon, though they sometimes got an ante- 
lope, and they slept on the ground at night. 
Mr. Scarlett bought an interest in a grant 
and when it was divided his share was 700 
acres, which he has farmed since that time. 
When he made the purchase, his neighbors, 
Mr. McGrath and Mr. Leonard, were both 
here. The land was bought of Mr William 
Rice. Mr. Scarlett does general fanning and 
raises horses, cattle and hogs, his principal 
crop being barley and corn. He has several 
splendid fields, perfectly level and in a high 
state of cultivation. From the highway, 
which passes through Mr. Scarlett's ranch, 
the traveler is at once impressed with the 
pleasing appearance of this attractive home. 
The house, an elegant one, is shaded and 
surrounded by ornamental trees and flowers, 



and the whole premises indicate that the in- 
mates are people of taste and refinement. 
Mr. Scarlett says that the improvements of 
the grounds may be attributed to his wife, 
as he gives his time and attention to his 
stock and ranch. 

Mr. Scarlett wedded Miss Annie Lester, a 
native of Australia, and daughter of Law- 
rence Lester. Their union has been blessed 
with five children, four of whom are livincr 
and all at home with their parents. Their 
names are Lizy, John, Sally and Annie. 

In his political views Mr. Scarlett is a 
Republican. 



[f|IMONCOHN is one of Ventura County's 
business men and the pioneer general 
merchant of New Jerusalem. He was 
born in Germany, of German parents, April 
4, 1852, and was educated in his native land, 
and learned the mercantile business in his 
father's store. He came to California, in 
1873, to launch out in business for himself, 
and has met with that success which is the 
reward of faithful, honest toil. He was first 
employed by his brother, at Saticoy, and re- 
mained there sixteen months, after which 
he came to his present locality, in 1875. Mr. 
Colin is entitled to the honor of being the 
founder of the town of New Jerusalem and 
of naming it. The first settlers of the town 
were three Hebrews, the fields were loaded 
with golden grain, plenty of fine cattle were 
in the valley, there was an abundance of 
choice fruit, and also milk and honey; so, 
the name of New Jerusalem seemed quite 
appropriate. Mr. Cohn erected the first build- 
ing in the town, and in it opened his store 
and continued to do business in the same until 
the increasing demands of his trade necessi- 
tated a larger store room. He accordingly 



590 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



erected the brick block in which he is now 
doing business. This is a double building, 
filled with all kinds of merchandise, and Mr. 
Colin is doing the principal business of the 
town. He now owns several buildings, and 
is also interested in real estate out of the 
town, having sixty acres of well improved 
land. 

Mr. Cohn was married, in 1885, to Miss 
Minnie Cohn, also a native of Germany and 
of the same name, but of no relation to him. 
Their family consists of three children, all 
born at New Jerusalem, viz.: Dora, Helen 
and Jacob. 

The subject of this sketch has been Post- 
master of the town for the past ten years. 
In political views he is Democratic. 

~- »| * 3 " S "fj*'" > ~ 

gpPHRAIM B. HALL, of Scotch descent, 
was born in Harrison County, Virginia, 
s i. (now Marion County, West Yirginia), 
in 1822. He completed his academical 
course, studied law, and practiced that pro- 
fession in said Marion and adjoining coun- 
ties from 1850 until after the commencement 
of the civil war in 1861. 

Mr. Hall was a member of the Yirginia 
Convention that met in Richmond in Feb- 
ruary, 1861, and was one of the fifty-eight 
members of that body who voted against the 
adoption of the Ordinance of Secession. On 
the adjournment of that convention in May, 
1861, lie returned home, and canvassed his 
own and the adjoining counties, against the 
ratification of said ordinance by the people, 
at an election ordered for that purpose; 
and not returning to the adjourned session 
of said convention in June, 1861, from his ab- 
sence therefrom, and his active opposition 
to the aggressions and operations of the Con- 
federate government and forces, and of the 



State government co-operating therewith, he 
was, by ordinance, expelled from said con- 
vention; and subsequently, under the provi- 
sions of an ordinance of said convention 
declaring certain acts resisting the authority 
of the Confederate government as constitut- 
ing treason against the State, and providing 
for trial, in the absence of the accused, by 
process of outlawry, he and three others 
were tried upon a charge of treason against 
said Confederate State government, and con- 
demned to be executed whenever the civil or 
military authorities of said State or of the 
Confederate government might be able to 
arrest them. 

He was a member of the convention that 
met at Wheeling in 1861, for the re-organ- 
ization of the State government on a loyal 
basis and in co-operation with the Federal 
Government. 

Was a member of the convention that 
formed and adopted the first constitution of 
the State of West Virginia, and was one of 
the committee of five, appointed by said con- 
vention to have charge of the election, and to 
make returns of the resnts of the vote upon the 
ratification or rejection of said constitution 
by the people; and, if ratified, to present the 
same to Congress and the Federal authori- 
ties at Washington, and to secure its accept- 
ance and the formation and admission of the 
State of West Virginia. 

Mr. Hall was elected Attorney General of 
the State of West Virginia, for the term 
commencing January 1, 1865. He was 
elected Judge of the Circuit Court (ten cir- 
cuits, composed of the counties of Jefferson ^ 
Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy and 
Pendleton), in October, 1865, and in Decem- 
ber. 1865, resigned the office of Attorney 
General and entered upon his judicial duties. 
Was re-elected for a succeeding term, and 
after seven years' service upon the bench, he, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



591 



in October, 1872, on account of the ill health 
of his wife, resigned his office of judge and 
removed to the State of California. That 
prior thereto, in March, 1870, he was by the 
Governor appointed one of the three com- 
missioners on the part of the State of West 
Virginia to confer with the State of Vir- 
ginia to adjust and settle the matter of the 
debt of Virginia as between the two States, 
which position he also resigned. 

In November, 1873, he qualified as attorney 
in the Supreme Court of California and set- 
tled, and made himself a quiet and cozy 
home in the El Montecito Valley, some four 
miles from the city of Santa Barbara, where he 
still resides; but did not resume the practice 
of his profession until 1875, since when he 
has been engaged in the practice. He is 
vice-president of one, and counsel for two 
of the banks of said city, and in a quiet 
way pursues his profession, and enjoys his 
home, which for beauty and comfort, and in 
such a locality, and with such a. climate, 
should make any one content and happy. 

Thus have many done, who have passed 
through the exciting scenes of a border home 
during the war. 



►*Mf« 



L. LA.W & CO. — The representatives 
of the above firm are S. L. and P. E. 
9 Law, who were born in Cliicago, 
Illinois. Their parents are natives of New 
York city, but moved to Chicago in 1837, 
being numbered among the pioneers. Their 
father dealt largely in real estate, and was. at 
one time owner of Hyde Park. These enter- 
prising young men came to Santa Barbara in 
1888, bringing with them a $12,000-stock of 
well-selected gents' furnishing goods, hats, 
etc. By marked activity and close attention 
to business their store ranks with the first of 



the city. They make specialties of Knox's 
hat6, of New York, and Stetson's, of Phila- 
delphia. 

S. L. Law was married in Santa Barbara in 
May, 1889, to Miss Martha M. More, a 
daughter of T. Wallace More. 



*nh 



fOSEPH SEXTON, nursery man at Goleta, 
was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, 
nine miles lrom Cincinnati, March 14, 
1864. His father was a farmer and after- 
ward a merchant at Dent, same county; then, 
in 1852, he came to San Francisco on the 
steamer Star of the West, on the Atlantic 
side, and the S. S. Lewis on the Pacific side, 
crossing the Isthmus by the Nicaragua route. 
The S. S. Lewis was unseaworthy, leaking 
badlj 7 , and on her next trip she came near 
sinking off San Francisco. After arriving 
in San Francisco, Mr. Sexton first became a 
dealer in wood for eleven months. Then he 
went to lone Valley, Amador County, and 
bought a tract of land, on which he started a 
nursery of all kinds of fruit trees. In 1864 
he returned to San Francisco, then moved to 
Petaluma, Sonoma County, and bought a 
nursery, in company with his father which 
he conducted two years; then managed the 
grain farm in Marin County two years, and 
finally, in December, 1867, he came to Santa 
Barbara and bought ten acres within the city 
limits. In the spring following he went to 
the Goleta (signifying schooner) ranch and 
purchased forty-five acres. He has since 
added to that tract twenty acres. Here he 
started the nursery business first in town and 
then moved to Goleta. He started with 
fruit trees Only, and afterward added orna- 
mental. In 1882 he bought 208 acres, and 
later 105 acres at Ventura; and next, in 
company with his father, he purchaned a 



5 ( J2 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJSf LUIS OBISPO 



ranch of 8,000 acres. He lias about twenty- 
five acres in a nursery of fruit- trees; is now 
setting out 105 acres of blue gum (Euca- 
lyptus globulus) at Yentura. In 1872 the 
industry of raising pampas grass was origin- 
ated at the Santa Barbara Nursery, by plant- 
ing the seed — a discovery having been made 
with reference to selection and the mode of 
planting. In 1889 he shipped between 200 
and 400 plumes, and since 1874 he has 
shipped altogether 1,388,000. At first plumes 
were valued at twenty cents apiece. The 
soft-shelled walnut also originated w T ith Mr. 
Sexton, from seed purchased in San Francisco. 
In the nursery he has a full line of fruit and 
ornamental trees, the specialty being the 
soft-shelled walnut and ornamental palms in 
great variety. For these purposes he has 
under cultivation sixty-five acres. He has 
300 varieties of evergreen roses. 

Mr. Sexton was married at Goleta, in 
1868, to Miss Lucy Foster, a native of 
Illinois, whose father, Isaac B. Foster, was a 
money-lender. Mr. and Mrs. Sexton have 
seven sons and five daughters, and all living 
at home. 



m C. TALLANT, one of the leading 
grocers of Santa Barbara, is the sub- 
i° ject of this sketch, who was born at 
Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1858. His 
father was a wholesale dry-goods merchant at 
Wheeling, and later moved to Baltimore, 
where he carried on business for many years. 
Our subject was educated at private schools, 
in Baltimore, and finished at the Roanoke 
College, Salem, Virginia. He moved to 
Santa Barbara with his parents in the fall of 
1874. He began the grocers' business in 
1877, in the store of P. M. Newall, for whom 
he worked five years. In 1883 he bought an 



interest in the business, but after eighteen 
months sold again, and bought in with Mr. 
Sw T eetser, continuing under the firm of Tallant 
& Sweetser until March 1, 1890, when Mr. 
Tallant bought the entire business, and will 
continue alone. He carries a full line of do- 
mestic and imported groceries, smoked, dried 
and packed meats, and dried and canned 
fruits. 

He was married at San Francisco, in 1884, 
to Miss Mattie Dillan, a native of New Or- 
leans. Her father, Edward Dillan, was an 
extensive manufacturer of chronometers at 
San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs Tallant have 
two children. Mr. Tallant is a member of 
Odd Fellows, Santa Barbara Lodge, No. 156, 
and of the A. O. IT. W. 



fRED A. MOOBE, at present the City 
Assessor of Santa Barbara, and a gen- 
tleman who has been largely interested 
in the local press, was born at Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, in 1856. His father was a 
prominent merchant of Pittsburg, and later 
at Baltimore, Maryland. They moved to 
Minnesota when our subject was an infant, 
and in 1863, after his father's decease, his 
mother, with himself and sister, came to 
San Francisco, where he began his education 
at the public schools, and then at Santa Clara 
College. In 1867 they moved to Santa Bar- 
bara, and he attended the mission for two 
years, and then took a scientific course at the 
Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, returning to 
Santa Barbara in 1872, and attended the 
Santa Barbara College for three years. He 
spent 1876 in San Francisco, returning in 
1877 and connected himself with the Weekly 
Index, which he continued about one year. 
In 1878 he started The Independent, as a 
semi-weekly, and in 1879 bought out The 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



593 



Advertiser and consolidated the two papers. 
In 1884 he sold out his paper and engaged 
in fire insurance, which he has since contin- 
ued, representing all the leading American 
and English companies, and carrying the 
principal insurance business of the city. He 
was first elected City Assessor in 1884, and 
re-elected in 1886 and 1888. Being unmar- 
ried, he resides with his mother and sister. 
Mr. Moore is a member of the society of 
Odd Fellows. 



|LONZO CRABB, Constable of the city 
■v.! of Santa Barbara, and a native son, was 
*4^ born January 23, 1859. He was edu- 
cated at the public schools, and for five years 
was connected with Sherman & Eland, corner 
State and Ortega streets. He was elected 
Constable in the fall of 1888, qualifying the 
first Monday in January, 1889: term of office, 
two years. He has also served as Deputy 
Sheriff, under R. J. Broughton. 

Mr. Crabb was married at Santa Barbara, 
July 2, 1883, to Miss Isabelle Maris, 
daughter of Captain W. S. Maris, whose 
biography elsewhere appears. They have 
qeen blessed with one child. Mr. Crabb is a 
member of the " Native Sons of the Golden 
West." 



fF. MEYER was born in the northern 
part of Germany, in 1850. His father 
° was a seafaring man, and for fourteen 
years he was on one vessel as mate and ship's 
carpenter. Our subject was in the general 
merchandise business in Bremen for five 
years, and in the fall of 1869 came to New 
York, where he was engaged in business 
until 1873, when he returned to Germany 
for a visit. 



On returning to the United States, in 1874, 
he went to San Francisco, where he was vari- 
ously employed until 1883, when he came to 
Santa Barbara and permanently established 
himself. In 1887 he erected a fine two-story 
brick building at 822 State street, where he 
resides and conducts a billiard-room, bowl- 
ing-alley and saloon, keeping a fine variety of 
wines and liquors. 

He was married in San Francisco, in 1887, 
to Miss Louise Meyer, and they have four 
children. Mr. Meyer is a charter member of 
the lodge of A. O. TJ. W. at San Francisco. 



►*-*< 



F. McPHAlL, a gentleman largely in- 
terested in various enterprises in and 
° about Santa Barbara, was born on 
Prince Edward's Island, at Charlottetown, in 
1858, his parents being natives of the island, 
and his father a farmer and cabinet-maker. 
In 1866 his parents moved to Lake City, 
Minnesota, where our subject attended school 
until fourteen years of age, when he was 
employed as money-order clerk at the post- 
office, remaining two years, and in 1874 
coming to Santa Barbara to join his father, 
who came out in 1872. They then started a 
furniture business under the firm name of 
McPhail & Son. In 1S80 our subject bought 
out the Champion livery stable, which he has 
sime continued, keeping about twenty horses 
and suitable carriages. He was one of the 
incorporators of the Santa Barbara Transfer 
Company, which was incorporated December 
14, 1886, and is now (1890) its president and 
manager. lie was one of the incorporators 
of the Santa Barbara Hack and Carriage 
Company, July. 1888, and is still president 
of the company. For ten years he was man- 
ager and had charge of the street-car line, 
and has Keen connected with many of the 



594 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



city improvements. He was elected a mem- 
ber of the City Council from the second 
ward in 1884, and re elected in 1886. 

Mr. McPhail was married at Santa Bar- 
bara, in 1880, to Miss Helen Stevens, a native 
of California. They have two children, Eul a 
and George. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias. 



,LONZO L. GORDON was born in 
Caspar, Mendocino County, California, 
June 22, 1865, and was reared and 
educated there. His parents are of Scotch 
ancestry. His father, Alexander Gordon, 
was born in Montreal, Canada, and his 
mother, nee Christine Martin, is also a native 
of Canada. They have live children, of whom 
Alonzo is the third. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon 
came to California and settled in Mendocino 
County, in 1863, and there Mr. Gordon 
bought a ranch of 1,000 acres and engaged 
in cattle-raising and butchering. They still 
own and reside on that ranch. In 1885 they 
purchased a fine ranch of 1,000 acres of level 
land, located eight miles east of Hueneme, in 
Yentura County. 

Alonzo Gordon has been reared on a ranch, 
and is thoroughly informed in all matters per- 
taining to ranch life. He gives strict atten- 
tion to business, and is an enterprising young 
man; is manager of this ranch, and has five 
men in his employ. Since its purchase, 
many improvements have been made on this 
property, a house and suitable out-buildings 
having been erected. Mr. Gordon is exten- 
sively engaged in stock-raising, and also 
raises some barley, corn and hay. They have 
some fine Holstein cattle; and their horses, 
of which they keep about fifty, are mostly 
the Black Lewis stock crossed with the 



Clydesdale. They have a Black Lewis horse 
that is considered a very fine animal. 

The subject of this sketch is a member 
of the I. O. G. T. Politically lie is a Repub- 
lican. 




M. EDDY, one of the progressive 
young men of the Santa Ynez, was 
a born in Luzerne County, Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1862. They lived at Beach Haven, 
and his father was engaged in running a canal 
boat on the Pennsylvania Canal. The family 
came to California, arriving at Lompoc, 
Santa Barbara County, January 6, 1877, 
where the father carried on general farming. 
In 1886, in connection with his son, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, he purchased a ranch of 
320 acres at Santa Rita, the son owning a 
one-half interest. In 1888 W. M. Eddy 
came to Santa Ynez and leased the spacious 
livery stable of John F. Miller and bought 
his stock of horses and light and heavy 
wagons. Thus equipped he was ready to 
meet the requirements of a critical public, 
and since that time has been successful in 
his business undertaking. The ranch is also 
in a prosperous condition, and is being car- 
ried on in the interest of stock-raising, both 
horses and cattle. 

— «~MgH«HH« — - 

fOHN CA WELTI is the son of German 
parents, and was born in Wurtemberg, 
Germany, January 3, 1829. He received 
his early education in his native country, and 
at the age of nineteen years, in 1848, came 
to America. His first work in this country 
was in a brick yard in New York, where he 
was employed for three months. He then 
went to Milwaukee and learned the butcher 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



595 



business, working for $5 per month. He 
was taken sick there, and from that place 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was en- 
gaged in butchering from 1849 to 1856. In 
the latter year he went to Iowa, purchased 
160 acres of land and engaged in farming, 
continuing to reside there for three years and 
a half. In 1864 he came to California, rented 
lands in Sonoma County and farmed there 
until 1863, then he came to Santa Barbara 
County (now Ventura County). Like many 
others, he thought he was on Government 
land and for a time he fought title, hut when 
he found he could not hold the land, he rented 
the property, and in 1875 made about $5,000 
on about 1,000 acres of rented land, raising 
wheat, barley and hogs. In 1877 there came 
a dry season and he lost nearly all he had 
hefore made. The property on which Mr. 
Cawelti is now located was owned by the 
Catholic Church. They sold to the ex-mis- 
sion, and when the land was put on the mar- 
ket he bought 1,000 acres, at $16.25 per acre; 
or $16,250 for the property, paying one-third 
down, and going in debt $11,000. Since 
purchasing he has made many improvements 
on the place, has cleared part of the land, 
built two barns, at a cost of $1,000, and a 
nice dwelling, at a cost of $3,000: also two 
other smaller houses, and has built nine 
miles of fence. He has bought 640 acres of 
hill land for pasture, at a cost of $2,000; and 
now owns 150 head of cattle and eighty head 
of horses, and is out of debt, having paid 
up in six years. His horses are part Belgium 
stock, and he is now introducing Seavern 
blood into the cattle. 

Mr. Cawelti was married, in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in 1852, to Mrs. Sipp, widow of Mr. 
Jud Sipp, by whom she had one child, Fred- 
erica Louisa. Mrs. Cawelti was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, and when a little child 
was brought to America by her parents. 



Their union has been blessed with nine chil- 
dren, three born in Ohio, four in Iowa, and 
two in California, viz.: David, John Henry, 
Catharine, Jacob, John George, Mary E., 
Dora and Andrew E., all living near him ex- 
cept David, who is in San Bernardino 
County. 

The subject of this sketch is one of the 
many illustrations how the hardy and in- 
dustrious sons of Germany succeed when 
they come to this country. By his own 
intelligent industry and judicious manage- 
ment, he has risen from a day laborer in a 
brick-yard to one of the reliable and wealthy 
citizens of Ventura County, California. Mr. 
Caw elti was reared a Presbyterian and still 
holds to that creed. Politically, he is a 
Democrat; has been elected to the office of 
school trustee, bnt is not, in any sense, a 
politician or office-seeker. He is a quiet and 
unobtrusive man, and deserved the success 
which has attended his labors. Long may 
be live to enjoy the home so nobly and hon- 
estly earned! 



fAPTAIN W. E. GREENWELL, a dis- 
tinguished member of the United States 
Coast and Geodetic Survey, was born in 
1824, in St. Mary's County, Maryland, of 
English ancestry. His father, William 
Greenwell, served in the war of 1812, com- 
manding a regiment which he himself had 
organized against the British; was severely 
wounded and was a sufferer on that account 
until his death. 

Captain Greenwell, the subject of this 
sketch, graduated at Georgetown (District of 
Columbia) College; studied law in the office 
of the distinguished jurist Brent, of Wash- 
ington, District of Columbia, ami when about 
twenty-two years of age entered the coast 



596 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



survey, receiving his appointment from Pro- 
fessor Dallas Bache, Superintendent, who had 
been his intimate friend and from whom he 
received the recognition and appreciation his 
talents and fidelity merited. He first served 
with Captain F. U. Gerdes, United States 
Coast Survey, in Mobile Bay, on the coast of 
the Gulf of Mexico, until 1854. The next 
year he was transferred to the coast of Cali- 
fornia to take charge of a coast survey party, 
under General Ord, and kept this position 
until 1861. The war of the Rebellion then 
breaking out, he went East and was stationed 
at Washington during the exciting period of 
the Secession Congress, and was a witness of 
the momentous struggle. It was thought 
that he, being a Southerner, would cast his 
lot with the Southern cause, but he remained 
true to the Union, saying that he owed noth- 
ing to the territory of the South, but much 
to the Government. 

In 1863 he returned to California and con- 
tinued in the coast survey until he resigned, 
a few years before his death. 

The records of the Coast Survey, which 
alone chronicle the arduous, faithful and skill- 
ful work of this admirable corps, show the 
talented handiwork of Captain Greenwell in 
all branches of field-work along the Atlantic 
coast from Maine to Florida, and particu- 
larly along the coast of California and the 
islands outlying the southern portion. 

He made his permanent home in Santa 
Barbara, where he died August 27, 1886, 
leaving to mourn his loss a wife and three 
sons. He was a distinguished man and effi- 
cient officer; was well known and highly re- 
spected throughout the State of California, 
and was claimed by the people of the State 
as one of her sons. He believed in the great 
future of California and invested there his 
little patrimony, and was enabled to leave his 
family in independant circumstances. His 



life was devoted to the service of the Govern- 
ment, and doubtless he sacrificed a portion of 
his life, which should have been a long one, 
to regard his fine physique and iron constitu- 
tion, in such service. Working in the mias- 
matic bayous of Louisiana, and landing where 
there were no wharves, through the surf on 
the coast, told in after life, and he was some 
fifteen years ago prostrated by a severe and 
almost fatal illness which left him a sufferer 
until his death. One who was the intimate 
friend of Mr. Greenwell for years, and who 
understood his true character and appreciated 
his superior traits, writes of him as follows: 
"Mr. Greenwell was not of the ordinary 
class of humanity. His strong, pronounced 
individuality separated him from it and 
marked him a figure independent of his asso- 
ciates. There was not a tame thing about 
his nature, and, of course, the term was ap- 
plied to him which the world fits upon those 
who wander from or soar above the beaten 
road of life — eccentric. This eccentricity 
caused him indeed to differ in many ways 
from a number of his fellows. He loved 
honor, truth, virtue, justice, and above all 
gentility, which he considered the aggregate 
of the noble graces. He hated and denounced 
charlatanism, and especially when displayed 
in serious matters affecting the honor, credit 
and standing before the world of the Govern- 
ment and its branches of service, he abhorred 
and openly expressed his contempt for petty 
acts of selfishness and his disgust for vulgar- 
ity and grossness. Nothing could induce 
him to intrigue for his own preferment or 
advantage, but with a child-like pleasure he 
would use his high standing and personal 
influence to promote others, especially the 
young men in the service whom he believed 
to be worthy, competent and energetic; and 
it is safe to say, his unselfish acts on this be- 
half were not always rewarded with grati- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



597 



tude, and the latter part of his life had in it 
some bitterness, instilled from repudiated 
kindness, unrecognized generosity and mis- 
placed friendliness. 

" The contributor of these few lines in trib- 
ute to the memory of a dear friend can say 
of this officer and gentleman, that there never 
was a more unselfishly loyal man, true to his 
God, true to his county, true to his family 
and true to his friends, and with such self- 
sacrifice. He hated blasphemy. While a 
student of the problems of science and his- 
tory, and one of the beat readers of nature, 
he was in perfect accord with its spirit. The 
animals loved him. He could train and con- 
trol them with ease. He treated them with 
gentleness and tenderness, having been known 
to leave his bed at night to nurse a sick horse 
or dog. He could not tolerate the shallow 
sophists of the day who would make of 
nature the weapon of a feeble intellect to an- 
nihilate God and prostitute man; but saw in 
all the footprints of an omnipotent and all- 
glorious Creator. 

"Though a Southerner by birth, his allegi- 
ance to the Union was firm and fixed. He 
loved the flag, and at one time rebuked and 
discharged an aid who spoke of it disrespect- 
fully. He was a warm partisan of his 
country, and eulogizer and defender of its 
institutions, in comparison with those of 
other nations. 

" The same loyalty leavened his friendship. 
The mentor, counselor and corrector in pri- 
vate, he was in public the stanch advocate, 
supporter and defender of his friend. His 
friendship was well worth having, being of 
the valuable sort. Rich in counsel and in 
practical aids, his judgment seemed to the 
writer almost infallible in the ordinary affairs 
of life; and when he submitted to it he never 
erred. He acted in life as he played chess, 
never ambuscading for a piece, laying his 



plans far ahead and depending upon the 
skillful use of his pawns. He never skir- 
mished for temporary advantage, but looked 
far into and planned for the future. He 
cared nothing for the antagonism and oppo- 
sition of the powerful and influential, and 
made all his battles with his equals in power 
and influence, whilst he displayed to his em- 
ployes and the poor a careful consideration 
and dignified and kind bonhomie. It was a 
privilege coveted by the laborer to be of his 
party in the field. Hesitating, and in ordi- 
nary conversation laboring to give proper 
expression to his thoughts, though forcible 
and eloquent when aroused in a serious 
cause, it was difficult for passing acquaint- 
ances to gain any conception of the depth of 
his character and strength of his intellect. 
Indeed, none but his most intimite friends 
know how noble and great he was. The 
worldling and time-server could not approach 
him. An unfortunate barrier of pride and 
sensitiveness and diffidence lay between him 
and the hero-forging public. 

" Captain Greenwell was happiest and ap- 
peared best at the post of duty in moments 
of action and danger, when coolness, judg- 
ment and courage were demanded. He was 
a perfect executive officer, and peril seemed 
to expand his force and quicken his wits. 
Some will remember his taking command of 
the steamer Senator some twenty-five years 
ago when it had been driven near the rocks of 
Point Concepcion, on a dark, foggy and 
stormy night, when the Captain was ill and 
exhausted and the crew were tired and rebell- 
ious; and by his command of men, skill, 
coolness, judgment and courage got her 
afloat and saved her from shipwreck, lescu- 
ing the ship and passengers at the expense of 
the freight, which ho caused to be thrown 
overboard. At the beginning of his career 
in the coast survey, a young man, lie at the 



598 



SANTA B ABB AM A, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



risk of his own life rescued from shipwreck 
some sailors, with gallantry and brilliancy. 
Many of the old commanders of the navy 
thought and said that the United States had 
lost a brilliant and efficient officer; and yet 
his shore duties were performed with equal 
genius. £le was the best surfer in the serv- 
ice; was an excellent mountaineer, and 
never forgot a landmark; and he was peculi- 
arly fitted for reconnoissance work to map 
out and complete a practicable scheme of tri- 
angulation. He was thorough in everything, 
and was incapable of slipshod or slovenly 
work. The monuments he set in the fields 
were permanently fixed and so described that 
those officers who followed his footsteps had 
little difficulty in connecting with his work; 
and the work itself was faithful, exact and 
complete. 

"As a host Mr. Green well was elegant, 
liberal and bountiful of sympathy, warmth 
and geniality. His house was the reunion 
of the young who were happy in the atmos- 
phere of refinement. But his male friends 
loved most to be with him in the mountains, 
or on the ocean, in camp or on deck; he 
seemed then so free from restraint, so natural 
in his goodness, so noble in thought, ways 
and bearing, so kindly, gentle and sympath- 
etic. It is there that they love to call him 
back and look upon his face unclouded with 
sorrow, unfurrowed with care, unmarked with 
bitterness against a selfish, ungrateful world, 
and listen to his lofty, refined sentiments 
and thoughtful words. The writer recalls at 
this moment some of his earnest utterances 
as he with others sat together in hie tent 
looking at the 'everlasting hills.' 

There is '• everything in blood. An hon- 
orable and worthy sire begets a brave and 
'honest son; and pure blood is the best legacy 
we can give to our offspring. The fact that it 
flows within our veins and that we are the 



medium of transmission, makes us guard the 
stream from pollution and send it onward as 
clean and clear as it came from the fountain 
head. It is the charm which preserves the sci- 
on of genteel stock in the midst of waywardness, 
folly and pursuit of pleasure, as well as from 
worldliness, from dishonor and crime; we 
can err in precept, discipline and training in 
the rearing of children, and all men do; for 
God alone can indisputably shape the youth- 
ful character; but we bequeath to them in 
our blood, jealously preserved from disease 
and poison, the antidote for all our errors; and 
we can fall asleep with the consciousness 
that the offspring of our body and bearers of 
our name can not without unnatural per- 
version cast upon it disgrace or stain. " 






e> 




P. SPROUT, an early pioneer of Cal- 
ifornia, was born in Guernsey Coun- 
01 ty, Ohio, in 1835. He remained at 
home on his father's farm until seventeen 
years of age, when he started for California. 
He shipped at New York on the Brother 
Jonathan, crossed the Isthmus of Panama 
and there took the ill-fated McKim, which 
was over crowded, shortly provisioned and 
very unseaworthy. They ran into San Diego 
harbor, and from that place Mr. Sprout 
walked to Los Angeles. He wwked his 
passage from San Pedro to San Francisco on 
the brig Fremont. After a short engage- 
ment at Sacramento, he went to the mines at 
Nevada City and engaged in placer mining 
in Placer and Nevada counties, until 1869, 
as laborer, superintendent and owner, as the 
circumstances allowed. During the latter 
part of that time he was superintendent of 
hydraulic mining. In 1869 he came to Santa 
Barbara to take charge of the Belmont ranch 
for Fernald, Blancher & Co., an exten- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



599 



sive fruit ranch. For four years he was in 
their employ. He then settled in East Santa 
Barbara and engaged in dairy farming on a 
ranch of 150 acres, keeping fifteen Jer- 
sey cows. 

Mr. Sprout was married, at Santa Barbara, 
in 1871, to Miss Augusta Mandell, a lady of 
German descent, They have six children 
living. Mr. Sprout is a member of Santa 
Barbara Lodge, No. 56, and was a charter 
membdr of the encampment, I. O. O. F. 



— •§** M Hs H "~ 

^ENRY STODDARD, one of the early 
settlers of the Montecito valley, was 
born in Dayton, Ohio, January 2, 1885. 
His father, Henry Stoddard, Sr., was a promi- 
nent lawyer of Dayton, and practiced in that 
city for upwards of fifty years. The subject 
of this sketch graduated at the Miami Uni- 
versity of Ohio, and afterward studied 
engineering at the Yale Scientific. He then 
studied law at Dayton, and later at St. Louis 
with Judge Bates, who was Attorney General 
under President Lincoln. In 1863 he went 
out on the John Morgan raid, companies be- 
ing especially formed to resist the raid, but 
not regularly connected with the army. In 
the spring of 1864, when special call was made 
for troops, he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Thirty-first Ohio National Guards, under 
Colonel John G. Lowe, Mr. Stoddard being 
a member of the regimental staff. They wore 
sent to Harper's Ferry and Baltimore, and 
v.tire mustered out in the fall at Camn Chase, 
Columbus, Ohio. 

Returning to Dayton, he engaged in the 
manufacture of linseed oil and varnishes, 
under the firm name of Stoddard & Co. Ten 
years later, owing to tailing health, he sold 
out all interests and came to Santa Barbara, 
California, in August, 1873. lie purchased 



twenty acres of land in the Montecito Valley, 
and in the out-of-door life which he led, re- 
covered his health. In 1876 he engaged in the 
real-estate business in Santa Barbara, and the 
next year was appointed Postmaster, under 
President Hayes. For four years and a half 
he filled that office very acceptably to the 
people. In 1882 he was elected County Re 
corder, and upon the expiration of his term 
of office he again entered the business of 
real estate and insurance. He negotiates 
many loans for Eastern capitalists. 

Mr. Stoddard was married in Memphis, 
Tennessee, in 1850, and has four children 
living. He is a member of the Starr King 
Post, Department of California, G. A R. 



LARSEN, who is a professional dairy- 
man, was born in Denmark, in 1844. 
• His father being a farmer, the subject 
naturally inclined to the products of the soil. 
In 1868 he graduated from the college at 
Copenhagen. He had previously devoted 
himself to the acquirement of the science of 
the dairy farm. He was engaged on an exten- 
sive dairy farm at Skeyward. and there re- 
ceived full instructions in the making of butter 
and cheese. In 1868 he was married at Grano, 
and then became manager of several large 
dairies, up to 1876, when he came to America. 
He first settled at Easlon, Pennsylvania, 
where as veternary surgeon he passed one 
year. He then went to DcKalb County, 
Illinois, where he built a large manufactory, 
bought up milk and made butter and cheese, 
continuing for two years. He then went to 
Milwaukee, and started a commission store 
for farm produce; but failing in this venture, 
in 1880 lie came to California, first starting 
at San Francisco as veterinary surgeon, 
which he continued very successfully for three 



000 



SANTA BABBARA, SAN LUIS OBISBO 




years. He then came to Santa Ynez, among 
the first settlers, and bought 160 acres near 
the old mission, but the purchase proved a 
losing investment; and in 1884 he came to 
Lompoc, as foreman of dairy for R. T. Buell. 
He then leased land and rented or purchased 
stock, and is now (1890) carrying on a very 
satisfactory business. He has 200 head of 
Holstein and Jersey cows, and makes butter 
in rolls for market. He bought the old Hea- 
cock ranch of 500 acres, in 1889, and also 
owns town property. 

He has two children: one son at home and 
a daughter who is married and lives in San 
Francisco. 

— "►*•!*>*•!•**» — 

M. GREENLEE, one of the pioneer 
stage drivers of California, was born 
in Stark County, Illinois, in 1841. His 
father was a farmer, and also owned extensive 
milling interests, having built the first mills 
in Stark County, the old red Snatchwine mills 
on Walnut Creek, which were the only mills 
at that time west of Chicago. The subject 
worked in mills and on farm until 1855, hav- 
ing moved to Henry County in 1852, from 
which point in 1855 he started for California, 
with his father, taking out a number of 
blooded horses and fine cattle. His father 
was one of the largest importers of horses and 
cattle of that period, driving to Marysville, 
from which point he sold through the country. 
Between 1855 and 1862 the subject made 
nine trips across the plains in driving horses 
and cattle. In 1863 he went to Nevada, 
teaming and driving for Wells, Fargo & Co., 
remaining until 1868, when he returned to 
Marysville, driving on the old Colusa road 
for about two years, and in 1871 came to Los 
Angeles, and later on to Santa Barbara, team- 
ing, staging and driving for Wells, Fargo & 



Co., until 1880, when he entered into part- 
nership with A. F. McPhail, in the Champion 
Stable and in the Santa Barbara Transfer and 
Bus Line; also having individual land in- 
terests in the city and owning about fifty 
acres in the Montecito Valley. He came to 
Los Alamos in the spring of 1890, and keeps 
the Los Alamos stables, and also owus the 
stock of the old Patterson stable, in all about 
forty head of horses and wagons, both light 
and heavy for country driving. He also runs 
the stage line between Los Alamos and Lom- 
poc, a distance of twenty miles. 

Mr. Greenlee was married in Santa Barbara 
in 1889, to Miss Emma Bisbee. Mr. Green- 
lee first visited Los Alamos in September, 
1876, and built the first house in town for 
the old stage line. 



J. NICHOLS, the leading jeweler of 
Lompoc, was born in Central New 
■■° York, in 1848. His father, J. A. 
Nichols, was a lawyer ot Tioga County. The 
subject was educated in Tioga County, and 
in 1865 began his trade of jeweler and watch- 
maker near home and completed it in New 
York city. He then worked at his trade 
through several of the Central States, and in 
1874 came to Santa Barbara, where he re r 
mained two years. He then went East and 
worked at his trade until 1880, when he again 
returned to Santa Barbara, and remained 
until 1883, when he came to Lompoc and 
opened his present business. He carries a 
fine stock of watches, clocks and jewelry; also 
musical instruments and sewing-machines. 

He was married at Cleveland, Ohio, in 
1874, to Miss A. J Martin, a native of Ohio, 
and they have two children. Mr. Nichols 
built his present store and residence, build- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



GUI 



ing 25x40, on Ocean avenue, in 1889, and 
his stock is neatly and tastefully arranged. 

He is a member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 
57, Knights of Pythias. 

^mmm.|^3m«* %• ~" 

0. GARDNER.— One of the active 
and progressive farmers of Santa Ynez 
1° Valley is C. O. Gardner, who was born 
in the Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1848. 
His father was an extensive farmer in that 
locality, owned and cultivated 400 acres of 
land, also kept a dairy and dealt largely in 
cattle and horses. The subject of this sketch 
was reared at home, being engaged at work 
on his father's farm until twenty-six years of 
age. In 1874 he came to California, coming 
direet to Guadaloupe. He worked on a farm 
in the Santa Maria Valley until 1862, when 
the town of Santa Ynez was laid out. Mr. 
Gardner at once purchased town lots and 
erected his present residence. He then leased 
about 500 acres from Bishop Mora, and 
later from the Santa Ynez Development 
Company, who bought the valley. Since that 
time he has been a large producer of barley, 
hay and wheac. In plowing he uses two gangs 
of five ten-inch plows each; and uses the im- 
proved large machinery for harvesting his 
crops. To a certain extent he is a breeder of 
fine work horses, keeping about twenty head. 
Mr. Gardner was married at Santa Maria in 
1882 to Miss Eva J. Preston. They have had 
three children, all now deceased. 



*gr* — 

It. J. WILL GRAHAM was born in 
Hancock County, Illinois, in 1850, and 
came to California in 1852, with his 
parents, making the journey across the plains 
with an ox team. They settled in Colusa 

38 



County, at the little town called Grand 
Island, on the Sacramento River. His father 
settled on what was supposed to be Govern- 
ment land, but in I860, through the recog- 
nition of the Government of certain bound- 
aries, a claim for a Spanish grant was es- 
tablished, and the tenants were obliged to buy, 
hire or clear out; and Mr. Graham then moved 
to Sutter County, where he bought a ranch 
of 360 acres and carried on general fanning 
and stock-raising. 

The subject was educated in the public 
schools of Colusa and Sutter counties, and in 
1880 entered the medical department of the 
Willamette University, at Portland, Oregon, 
where he graduated in medicine and surgery 
in 1883. He practiced medicine in East 
Portland for one year, and in 1884 came to 
Los Alamos, where he has since carried on 
his profession. In 1888 he built a two-story 
brick house, the only brick house in town. 

Dr. Graham was married at San Francisco, 
in 1882, to Miss Maria Gennette Drum, a 
native of Pennsylvania. The Doctor covers 
in his practice a radius of about twenty miles, 
necessitating long drives to see his patients. 



P. WHITNEY was born in Corinth, 
Maine, on October 7, 1834. His 
9 father was a farmer, also kept a small 
shoe store. From thirteen years of age sub- 
ject lived with his brother, who had large 
milling; interests, and he worked in the shingle 
mills in summer and in the blacksmith shop 
in winter. In 1852 they went to Canada, 
and then to Minneapolis, Minnesota, always 
in milling interests and continuing black- 
smithing. In 1856 they moved to what is 
now Kingston, Minnesota. His brother took 
up Government land, built a saw and grist 
mill, and thus started and named the town. 



iiv-2 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



and remained until March, 1859, when they 
started for California, driving ox team to 
Omaha, where they remained until May, then 
via Salt Lake City drove on to Red Bluffs, 
Tehama County. In January, 1860, they 
went to Tahle Rock, Sierra County, re- 
maining until October, 1862, working in the 
mines. They then went to Petaluma, and 
except one year at Virginia City remained 
until 1868, carrying on blacksmith shop. He 
then went to Eel River, Mendocino County, 
and acted as superintendent of his brother's 
stock ranch, and also interested in blacksmith 
shop, remaining until 1882, when he went to 
Point Reyes, Mendocino County, and there 
worked at his trade for five years. Mr. 
Whitney's interests were identified with his 
brother until tlie death of the latter, in Janu- 
ary, 1883. In 1887 he came to Los Alamos, 
first renting shop and later buying 100x100 
feet, and establishing his present situation. 

He was first married in Petaluma, on 
April 13, 1865; and formed his second matri- 
monial relation, at Potter Valley, Mendocino 
County, in October, 1877, by marrying Mrs. 
Martha Long. He has four children living, 
but all by his first wife. 

— -HHh$*1H- — 

B!l R & E. A. GREER, one of the early 
and successful settlers of the town of 
Santa Ynez, was born at Harper's 
Ferry, and was a daughter of John Cochrane, 
a contractor and builder of that locality. 
Miss Cochrane was first married in 1851; 
being left a widow, she remarried in 1866, at 
Dayton, Nevada, to Henry Greer, a native 
of Belfast, Maine, and together they came to 
California in 1868, stopping at Santa Barbara 
until purchasing a ranch of 160 acres in the 
west end of Montecito Valley. They culti- 
vated some fruit and were among the first to 




plant orange trees. Mrs. Greer came to Santa 
Ynez in 1884, during the infancy of the town, 
and has since been one of its prominent resi- 
dents. She purchased one-quarter of a block, 
150 x 200 feet, upon which she first built her 
store and residence, and later a large livery 
stable. In 1888 she erected the town hall, 
called the Greer Hall, upon which she has 
placed a large brass bell, the first bell of the 
town. Adjoining her store she also estab- 
lished a restaurant, which she has continued 
with success to the present time. Her store 
is general merchandise, and she keeps a full 
line of dry goods, groceries, hardware and 
household supplies. She also has a ranch of 
160 acres in Pinie Canon, which is well- 
stocked with horses and cattle. Mrs. Greer 
has four children, three daughters and one 
son. She is a woman of great executive 
ability and should feel proud of her well de- 
served success. 






J. ANTHONY was born in Whitley 
County, Indiana, in 1849. In 1854 
° he came across the plains to Cali- 
fornia with his parents, suffering great delays 
and hardships from the Indians, who were 
especially troublesome that year. His early 
life was passed at his home in Santa Cruz, a 
part of the time being employed as clerk in 
the lumber business of his father, G. T. An- 
thony. In 1872 he went to Monterey County 
and engaged in the stock business on Gov- 
ernment land, keeping about 200 head, and 
continuing there for three years. At the end 
of that time he returned to Santa Cruz, where 
he was occupied one year in a saw- mill. In 
1876 he came to Lompoc and engaged in 
farming, The next year he located at Los 
Alamos, where he was interested in sheep- 
raising, and, although the year was dry, he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



CO.J 



was very successful, selling at a profit in the 
fall of 1877, and then returning to Lompoc. 
At that time he entered his father's black- 
smith shop and learned the trade, at which 
he has since continued to work. He catne to 
Santa Ynez in November, 1887, and after 
purchasing town property and building his 
house, he went into partnership with his 
father, under the firm name of G. T. An- 
thony & Son. They have erected a fine brick 
building and are doing a prosperous busi- 
ness, being also agents for light and heavy 
wagons and farm machinery. 

Mr. Anthony lost his first wife at Lompoc. 
He was there again married in 1884, this time 
to Miss Louisa Manda Reed, a native of Cali- 
fornia. He has one child by his first mar- 
riage and two by the second. 

T. ANTHONY, one of the early pio- 
neers of California, much of whose life 
■ ° has been passed in pioneer work, was 
born in Saratoga County, New York, in 1820, 
and at the age of fourteen years went with 
his father to a lumber camp in Allegany, 
New York, remaining about three years, when 
lie went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and there 
learned the trade of foundryman and ma- 
chinist. In 1840 he was married at Fort 
"Wayne to Miss Hannah Ilnrd, after which 
they went to Whitley County, where Mr. 
Anthony bought a farm of 160 acres, being 
obliged to leave the shop on account of fail- 
ing health. Heengagedin raising sheep and 
general farming, continuing until 1854, when 
he sold out and came across the plains to 
California, starting with forty-eight head of 
cattle, six yoke of oxen, ten horses and fonr 
mules. They had a very hard trip, as the 
Indians were very hostile that year, and Mr. 
Anthony lost nearly everything except his 



mules, one cow and one horse. He then went 
to Santa Cruz and opened a foundry, with 
his brother, and later went into the lumber 
business; but, owing to depression in Cali- 
fornia in 1874, he lost about $75,000, and 
was financially ruined, after twenty-one years 
of close attention to business at Santa Cruz. 
In 1875 he located at Lompoc and opened a 
blacksmith shop, as his trade only was left to 
him, and by economy and energy he has 
reasonably prospered. He remained until 
November, 1877, when he came to Santa 
Ynez and bought town property, erected a 
residence and, in partnership with his son, 
G. J. Anthony, built a tine brick blacksmith 
shop. They have carried on a successful 
business; are also agents for wagons, car- 
riages and all kinds of farming implements- 
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony have had twelve 
children, five only surviving. Mrs. Anthony 
is living, at the age of seventy years, and on 
January 18, 1890, the children gathered at 
the homestead and joyfully celebrated the 
golden wedding of their happy parents, a 
celebration few people are spared to enjoy. 



^ORMER & CHALLENOR, whose 
beautiful ranch of 160 acres lies south 
of Ballard's, in the Alamo Pintado 
Valley, are of English birth, and were edu- 
cated at Jesus College, at Cambridge, Eng- 
land. 

Max. C. Dormer studied engineering with 
Professor Stuart, at Cambridge, and later 
with the Crewe Locomotive Works at Crewe, 
England. In 1887 he came to the United 
States, and direct to California, to visit his 
old friend D'Urban. who then owned the 
ranch, which was later purchased b\ Mr. 
Dormer, and where he now resides. 

John Challenor studied for the army. 



601 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



entering in 1885 the Fourth Battalion of the 
South Staffordshire Regiment, serving three 
years, until he acquired the Captaincy, and 
then, not caring to go into active service, lie 
resigned and turned over his commission. 
He then came to the United States, and to 
California to visit his friend, Mr. Dormer, 
and soon after the above partnership was 
formed. In 1889 they set out 2,000 peach 
trees, and in the spring of 1890, 4,000 more 
peach and 4.000 prunes, covering about 100 
acres. The land was wild bottom land when 
they took it, but has since been converted 
into a veritable garden, by their system of 
thorough cultivation. The old adobe ranch 
house is one of the landmarks of the valley, 
nestling as it does beneath the shade of the 
majestic live-oaks, and the conveniences of 
windmill and out-buildings which have since 
been added, making of the ranch an ideal 
home. 

— «t^H^ « u > ; » ? i«"f»c — ■ 

fEFFERSON 13. TOWNSEND, a rancher 
in the upper Arroyo Grande, was born 
August 11, 1843, in Missouri, of South- 
ern parents who are not now living, and was 
brought up on a farm. In 1856, when he 
was thirteen years of age, the entire family 
crossed the plains to California with ox 
teams, being five months on the road. It 
was the plan of Mr. Town send 's father to 
take a herd of cattle from the plains, where 
he could get them cheap, and bring them on 
and dispose of them as the best occasions of- 
fered, beef being very high at that time in 
this State. The party did bring 2,000 head 
of cattle. Sonoma County was reached, a 
place of 200 acres purchased, and the family 
settled there; and it was here that Jefferson 
continued his studies, attending for a time 
the Sonoma College, conducted by the Cum- 



berland Presbyterians. From 1856 to 1867 
he was at his parental home, and then he 
came to San Luis Obispo County, taking up 
160 acres of land two and a half miles south 
of San Luis Obispo city, where he was en- 
gaged for eight years in farming. He then 
spent a year in San Francisco. Returning to 
this county he bought a place on the Corra 
de Piedra and worked that for eight years. 
He came upon his present property in De- 
cember, 1882, which occasion was celebrated 
by a Christmas dinner. This ranch lies in 
the upper Arroyo Grande, between ranches 
Santa Manuelo and Arroyo Grande, and com- 
prises 640 acres. Here Mr. Townsend is en- 
gaged in dairying and stock raising, and also 
to some extent in fruit culture, the soil being 
well adapted to grapes. He has 6,000 vines 
in bearing, producing both raisin and wine 
grapes of excellent quality. His dwelling is 
situated on the Arroyo Grande Creek, which 
runs through his property. The view through 
and around the splendid trees near by is espe- 
cially fine. 

Mr. Townsend has been married twice — 
first in San Francisco, April 29, 1868, and 
the second time August 9, 1888. He has 
four sons and two daughters. 

• ~,.*§-§*-»^,~~ 

W. SAUNDERS, M. D., the popular 
and successful physician of Lompoc, 
-fs» ° was born in Birmingham, Iowa, April 
25, 1843. His father was by trade a cab- 
inet-maker, who moved to Uniontown, Mis- 
souri, in 1858, and there bought 700 acres of 
timber land, and there erected a large saw 
and grist mill and carried on a very success- 
ful business. In 1876 he visited Lompoc, 
then returned East and closed his business, 
and in 1880 brought his family to Lompoc, 
where he settled and died in November, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



G0.3 



1889, at the age of seventy-three years. His 
widow is still living, at the age of sixty-nine 
years. The subject of this sketch worked on 
the farm until the erection of the mill, and 
then became under-engineer, which he con- 
tinued until the breaking out of the war, 
when he enlisted, on the 28th of August, 
1861, at Birmingham, Iowa, in Company H 
of the Third Iowa Cavalry, under Colonel 
John W. Noble, the present Secretary of the 
Interior. Subject enlisted for three years, 
or the war, and they were engaged west of 
the Mississippi River, and were veteraned at 
Little Rock, Arkansas, in January, 1863. 
Prior to 1863 they were engaged in the cap- 
ture of Little Rock and many small en- 
gagements. After re-enlistment they were 
connected with the Sixteenth Corps, and oper- 
ated east of the Mississippi. They were on 
Wilson's raid through Tennessee, Alabama, 
and Mississippi, and were at the taking of 
the Confederate arsenal at Selma, Alabama, 
thence on to Montgomery and to Macon, 
Georgia, where they heard of the armistice 
between Generals Grant and Lee, which closed 
the war They were then sent to Augusta, 
Georgia, where they took the surrender of 
General Johnston's army, then to Atlanta, 
where they were mustered out in 1865, and 
the subject returned home. He was never 
wounded, though in every battle of the regi- 
ment. He then attended the Memphis High 
School, and in 1868 was elected County As- 
sessor of Scotland County for four years, and 
at the same time began reading medicine. 
In the winter of 1872 and 1873, he attended 
the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, 
and in 1874 graduated from the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. 
He then returned to Uniontown, Missouri, 
and followed the practice of his profession up 
to 1882, when he came to Lompoc. lie 
then bought one-half interest in the drug 



business and practice of Dr. H. C. Dimock, 
and after one year resold to Dr. Dimock, and 
Dr. Saunders gave his entire attention to his 
profession, iu which he has been eminently 
successful, having a very extensive practice 
and covering a radius of twenty-five miles — 
necessitating very long drives. In 1883 he 
bought half a block on E street and estab- 
lished his present comfortable home. In 
July, 1889, in partnership with Mr. F. W. 
Ellis, he started a very complete and at- 
tractive drug store on Ocean avenue. At the 
incorporation of the town in 1888, the Doctor 
was elected Town Treasurer, and was re-elected 
in April, 1890, withoiit a dissenting vote, 
which was the highest acknowledgment of 
his popularity as a public officer. He was 
married at Unionton, Missouri, in 1866, to 
Miss L^dia E. Hall, and three sons and two 
daughters now grace and enliven the house- 
hold. 

The Doctor is a member and present 
Master of Heperian Lodge, No. 264, F. & A. 
M. ; a member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 248, I. 
O. O. F. ; Knights of Pythias, and of Robert 
Anderson Post, No. 66, G. A. R., of which he 
was the first Commander. 

fOSE FRED BRANCH, son of the promi- 
nent pioneer, F. Z. Branch, a native of 
Now York, and Manuela (Corlona) 
Branch, a native of California, was born 
March 15, 1853, on his father's splendid 
rancho near Arroyo Grande. During his 
youth he attended the public schools, finish- 
ing an excellent course of study in a college 
at San Francisco. Since that time he has 
devoted all his energies to farming, stock- 
raising and the dairy business, his ranch now 
consisting of 1,300 acres. Mr. Branch lias 
erected a fine residence on his place, directly 



COG 



SANTA BARBARA, 8AN LUIS OBISPO 



below the magnificent old adobe house of his 
father, not now occupied, but nevertheless in 
an excellent state of preservation. Jose Fred 
is the youngest of a family of ten children, 
five of whom are now living. He was mar- 
ried March 5, 1861, to Miss Herlinda Borilla, 
a native of California. 

-~*|**H$»f*~. - 

;R. FRANK P. BURGESS was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1840. He received a 
medical education at the Jefferson Col- 
lege, Philadelphia, and when quite a young 
man was prepared for the practice of his pro- 
fession. He did not, however, for various 
reasons, carry out his original intentions, and a 
year later, the year 1860, found him engaged 
in journalism. This he abandoned shortly 
after the civil war broke out, and enlisted for 
service, taking part in a number of important 
engagements in that conflict. It was in the 
year 1866 and the year following, when Dr. 
Burgess was living in Nebraska and Indian 
Territory, among the Indians, that he dis- 
covered the powerful, salutary and beneficial 
effects of roots and herbs as a medicine for 
the human system. Doctor Burgess is a firm 
believer in this kind of medicine. For the 
past three years he has been engaged, with 
his brother, in this State, in circulating these 
medicines, known as Pawnee Indian reme- 
dies. They consist of five distinct varieties 
of medicines, all calculated to relieve 
various troubles. The Burgess Company, 
whose main office is in San Francisco, have a 
unique way of advertising their medicine. It 
consists of a thorough canvass of each town 
by the Doctor and his assistants, the assist- 
ants providing a variety of entertainments at 
their headquarters in the evening, while the 
Doctor presents the business proposition be- 
fore and after each entertainment. The Paw- 



nee Indian remedies are surely growing pop- 
ular. Sales to the amount of $1,000 a day 
have been recorded ; and, as Dr. Burgess is an 
enthusiastic worker and also very popular, 
his enterprise is bound to succeed. Doctor 
Burgess has been a resident of California 
since 1881, residing in San Diego up to the 
year 1887, engaged in real-estate business. 
At that time he organized the company 
alluded to. 



HI RANC1S EDGAR COOK was born in 
ffl Napa County, California, May 17, 1860, 
^JP 3 son of Samuel and Phoebe Cook, the 
former a native of Michigan and the latter 
of New^ork. His early life was spent at 
his home in Napa County and at Monticello, 
twenty-fives miles east of Napa city. In 1872 
he came with his father to San Luis Obispo 
County, his father renting a ranch two miles 
north of the city. Here the subject of this 
sketch employed the most of his time when 
not attending school. The family next moved 
to a ranch of 640 acres, eight miles south of 
San Luis Obispo, which was subsequently 
sold to and now owned by the Steele Broth- 
ers. Mr. Cook now has a fine ranch of 320 
acres in the San Jose Valley, on which he is 
now engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
He is an energetic and industrious farmer, 
and is bound to succeed in the fertile valley 
where he has made his home. 

He was married February 2, 1889, to Miss 
Martha A. Ballard. 

i, J. BURDICK, a leading architect of 
Lompoc, was born in Oswego, New 
a York, in 1842. His father was a con- 
tractor and builder, and moved to Racine, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



601 



Wisconsin, in 1855, where he carried on his 
trade. Subject learned his trade from his 
father, with whom he worked for twenty- 
eight years. He was married at Racine, in 
1863, to Miss Fanny Hodeck, a native of 
Bohemia. They lived at Racine until Janu- 
ary, 1882, when they came to Santa Barbara, 
and he continued at his trade. He built the 
Pavilion at the race track, and many of the 
prominent residences of the city, and in all, 
some 200 houses, great and small. In June, 
1889, he came to Loinpoc and bought a lot 
100 x 140 on H street, where he is now 
building; and he has more contract work than 
he can well attend to, being architect and 
building the houses for Sudden and William 
Cantley, the Town Hall and Roberts' Block; 
also architect for the Athletic Club and En- 
gine House, which will soon be erected, and 
has put up many smaller buildings. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bnrdick have four children — three sons 
and one daughter. 



H. AUSTIN was born in Windham 
County, Connecticut, in 1830. His 
° father was a farmer and a native of 
Rhode Island. His parents both died in the 
boyhood of our subject, and he then went to 
Putnam, where he learned the trade of house, 
carriage and sign painter, and for some years 
followed his trade in Providence, New Lon- 
don and Norwich. He married Miss Francis 
Reynolds, at Brooklyn, Connecticut, and then 
settled in Putnam, where he carried on his 
business in all its branches. He then moved 
to Killingly, Connecticut, where he secured 
some large contracts from manufacturing 
houses. In 1861 he enlisted at Killingly in 
Company B, Eighteenth Connecticut Regi- 
ment, Colonel Ely, and was stationed at Fort 
McIIenry, near Baltimore; and there, subject 




received a severe injury in his foot, which 
permanently incapacitated him from march- 
ing, and he was honorably discharged in 1862, 
and returned to Killingly, where he carried 
on his trade until 1865, when, with his family 
he moved to California, coining by water and 

the Isthmus of Panama, with Judo-e Peck- 
er 

ham and family of San Jose. Mr. Austin 
settled at Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, 
where he carried on his trade until 1873, 
when he moved to San Luis Obispo, and after 
five years of business he tried the hotel life 
as proprietor of the old Eagle Hotel; but in 
one year he lost $3,000. He thent went to 
Guadalupe and again started a hotel, and in 
one year he made up his last loss, and then 
sold out and returned to his trade. In 1880 
he came to Lompoc, and bought a house and 
lot on K street, where he still resides. He 
also opened a shop and he returned to his 
trade, buying out the shop of John Henry, 
and has had a very lucrative business. Mr. 
and Mrs. Austin have but one child, Will- 
iam, who was born in November, 1876. 



URRELL STOKES GREGORY was 
born in Virginia, June 14, 1825. 
About the year 1838 he removed to 
Cobb County, Georgia, and was educated in 
Marietta. He read law under ex-Governor 
McDonald, and was admitted to practice 
under special enactment of the Legislature, 
on account of being under the lawful age. 
Afterward he was in partnership with Gov- 
ernor McDonald until starting for Califor- 
nia, in 1850. He first located in Santa Cruz, 
in the practice of lsw; thence he went to 
Monterey, from which place he was sent as a 
delegate to the Peace Convention, which met 
at Charleston, in 1860. About the year 
1862 he formed a law partnership with P. K. 



008 



SANTA BARB ABA, SAN LUIS OB IS BO 



Woodside, which continued many years. In 
1872 he removed to the new town of Salinas, 
where he remained until 1882, when he came 
to San Luis Obispo, although for several 
years previous lie had maintained an office 
here. His law practice here grew rapidly, 
and in the course of time he was selected by 
Governor Stoneman to fill the position of 
Superior Judge, made vacant by the death of 
Judge McMurtrie, which occurred February 
11, 1883. At the expiration of the term of 
this appointment, Judge Gregory was a 
candidate before the people and was elected 
to the Superior Judgeship, which position he 
held until his death, which occurred at 3:30 
p. m., June 12, 1889. Judge Gregory's po- 
litical services to the State of California were 
varied and invariably in the interests of good 
government and order. He was twice a 
member of the Senate, from the district com- 
posed of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, 
and of the Assembly from Monterey County. 
Early in the year 1888 the Judge began 
rapidly to fail, being troubled with a disease 
which rendered him practically helpless; and 
so he had been on his back most of the time 
for a year, and utterly unable to assist him- 
self during the four months prior to his de- 
mise. He was a most patient sufferer, always 
gentle in spite of the great pain which racked 
his every bone. For a long time the Judge 
had realized his helpless physical condition 
and looked forward to the end with calmness. 
A man of most loving and affectionate dis- 
position, ever true to his family and friends, 
he was universally popular. As a lawyer he 
was bright, alert and accurate, always going 
into court thoroughly conversant with every 
detail of the case in hand. Although not a 
flowery orator, he was clear, concise and con- 
vincing in argument, and was generally favor- 
ably regarded by jurists. As a judge he was 
strict, but invariably courteous and impar- 



tial. A man of the strictest integrity, no 
man nor combination of circumstances could 
induce him to swerve from a position he 
knew to he right. 

Judge Gregory was married August 20, 
1876, to Miss Amelia Hartnell, whose family 
were early pioneers of California. 

*°*~'' 4 sr'"'2 M 5"*' , ~35 <H '"* * 

fULIAN GARCIA, one of the pioneers 
of San Jose Valley, was born in New 
Mexico, in June, 1831. When young 
Garcia was twelve years of age the family 
moved to San Bernardino, California, coming 
via Salt Lake City. Mr. and Mrs. Garcia 
spent the remainder of their lives in that 
place. After remaining with his parents in 
their California home for eight years, Julian 
started out for himself, first going to the 
mines in Sonoma County and remaining 
there one year. He then came to San Luis 
Obispo County, where he was a vaquero for 
Mr. Facheco and Captain Wilson for four 
years. In 1856 he located in the San Jose 
Valley where he has since remained. It was 
while attending a lot of sheep on the shares 
with Captain Wilson that he first came to the 
valley, and he was so favorably impressed 
with the possibilities of the place that he de- 
cided to make it his home. Mr. Garcia is 
engaged in cattle raising and has a very at- 
tractive place, about one mile from Fozo. 

He was married in 1851, to Rosa Herrera, 
by whom he has had fifteen children, ten of 
whom are now living. Mr. Garcia has been 
particular in giving all of his children a good 
education. Montone and Bedell, the two 
oldest sons, have attended college at Santa 
Ynez, and the others are receiving every 
advantage possible. Mr. Garcia was the 
County Treasurer one term, and for the past 
four years has served as mail contractor. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



609 



An unfortunate accident occurred to Mr. 
Garcia during his early life which deprived 
him of his right arm. Being one of a party 
near a shooting affray, a shot intended for 
one of the principals, struck him in the arm. 
The injury was a bad one and in consequence 
the entire arm had to be amputated. Mr. 
Garcia is living a quiet and retired life in 
his old age, surrounded by the many comforts 
which a refined and generous nature like his 
own can appreciate. Many of his sons, now 
all grown, reside at the old home. 

— ■ — fr»«'3" ~ — 

fOHN BALL, whose fine ranch borders 
the Santa Ynez River, was born in 
Northamptonshire, England, in 1831. 
His father, Daniel Ball, was a farmer, and 
subject lived at home until 1850, when he 
came to the United States and first settled 
at Lockport, New York, where for three 
years he was servant in a hotel. Then, 
in 1853, he went to Oswego County and 
fanned up to 1856, when he came to Cali- 
fornia, by way of Panama. He then went to 
the mines in Nevada County and mined 
three years with good success, but on account 
of failing health he was obliged to leave; so 
went to Monterey County, where he rented 
from 200 to 400 acres and raised grain for 
sixteen years. In 1876 he came to Lompoc, 
and bought eighty acres of land, paying $35 
per acre. That land w T as covered with brush 
and timber, but is now cleared and highly 
improved. He carried on general farming 
up to 1885, but since then has been an exten- 
sive breeder of hogs, of the Poland-China, 
Essex and Berkshire breeds, keeping about 
150 head and fattening for market. He is 
about reducing his stock, to return to the 
cultivation of beans and mustard, and thus 
change his farming. Mr. Ball was married 



at Castorville, Monterey County, in 1863, to 
Miss Elizabeth Staley, a native of Missouri. 
They have but one child living, Charles 
Ball, who was born July 6, 1869, and he still 
lives at home. They lost their two daughters 
in 1879, with diphtheria, dying within four 
days of each other. 

JJJrlARLES BRADLEY.— Among the 
|§|j success ful ranchers and sheep raisers 
W^ of the Santa Maria Valley, we find the 
subject of this sketch. He was born at 
South Wingfield, England, in the county of 
Derby, in 1839. He had little opportunity 
to cultivate his mind, but his hands were 
kept constantly busy, and at the early age of 
twelve years he began work in the coal mines 
at Oakerthorpe, and at the age of eighteen 
years he began contract work, in min- 
ing and breaking suitable for market, which 
he continued until 1868, when, through the 
influence of his uncle, Paul Bradley, he came 
to California, first stopping at Salinas, where 
his uncle then resided; but in the fall of 1868 
all stock was driven to the Santa. Maria Val- 
ley, where his uncle had purchased land, and 
subject continued to work for him about four 
years. In 1872 Charles Bradley purchased 
his present home ranch of 160 acres, and 
added thereto by pre-emption and purchase to 
the amount of 2,560 acres, 1000 of which is 
tillable and balance grazing land. He farms 
about 700 acres and leases 300 acres for 
general farming purposes. He keeps 1,500 
sheep, in which industry he has been very 
successful. He also has 100 hogs, and about 
forty head of horses and cattle. He set a 
small orchard, experimentally, in 1880, in a 
variety of fruits, all of which have done well, 
and his present orchard covers eight acres 
apples, peaches and apricots being principal 



610 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



fruits, although he also includes all small 
fruits. Mr. Bradley was married at South 
Wingfield, England, on April 5, 1857, to 
Miss Elizabeth Booth. By the marriage 
eleven children have been born, two sons and 
nine daughters, all living. Mr. Bradley built 
his present spacious residence in 1873, at an 
expense of $5,000, including all modern im- 
provements. He is a member of Hisperian 
Lodge, No. 264, F. A. & M. Mr. Bradley 
takes no interest in political or public life, 
except education, and he has served as School 
Trustee and Clerk for over six years. His 
eldest son, Charles W., was educated at San 
Martha's Hall at San Mateo, and at Heald's 
Business College at San Francisco. Mr. Brad- 
ley gives his children the higher education, 
of which he was deprived. 



2Mf" 



fOSTER POMEEOY, the proprietor of 
the Grand Central Hotel, of Lompoc,; 
was born in Indiana, on January 26 
1856. His father was a merchant and later 
traveled for a New York house, and then on 
account of failing health came to California, 
in 1860, by the Isthmus of Panama. He 
then settled in Santa Clara, where he bought 
a ranch, and remained until 1868, when he 
moved to Hollister, and in 1883 again moved 
and settled at San Jacinto. Foster Fomeroy 
lived with parents to mature life; then, after 
a period of travel through Arizona, Colorado 
and New Mexico, he came to Lompoc in 
1885 and was again connected with his father 
in ranch life until 1887, when subject bought 
the Lompoc Hotel, in partnership with J. C. 
McReynolds, contin uing until the fall of 1888, 
when he bought out Reynolds and has since 
continued alone. In December, 1889, he 
leased the Grand Central Hotel, which was 
just completed, and where he is now located, 



running the two hotels jointly. He was mar- 
ried at Hollister, November 1, 1877, to Miss 
Mary Diana Triplett, and they have two 
children, one son and one daughter. Mr. 
Fomeroy is a member of Lompoc Lodge, No. 
57, Knights of Pythias. 



HMg^Hj*^ 



m W. SWEET was born in the city of 
Iff! San Luis Obispo, February 24, 1864. 
^C At this time the family were residing 
at Paso Robles. Very soon after the birth of 
young Sweet, his parents moved to the San 
Jose Valley, settling on a ranch. When 
seven years of age Mr. Sweet's father died, 
and, except when he attended school for a 
time, he has been thrown entirely upon his 
own resources, working on ranches from time 
to time. At present he has under his man- 
agement the home place, and also conducts a 
ranch of his own near by. Mr. Sweet is one 
of the few young men in the San Jose Val- 
ley who speaks English and Spanish both 
fluently. A greater part of the settlers ad- 
jacent to Pozo are Spaniards and have few 
opportunities tor improving their English, 
if, indeed, they speak English at all. Con- 
sequently Mr. Sweet is called upon frequently 
to settle disputes and takes part in interviews 
where the English tongue is heard. 



ft) ft . 



fESSE CASTEEL, a rancher of Arroyo 
Grande Valley, was born in Knox 
County, Ohio, November 11, 1834, of 
parents who were also natives of the same 
State. In 1848 the family moved to Mis- 
souri, and on his father's farm Jesse learned 
about all that was to be learned of farming. 
After residing there fourteen years he en- 
gaged himself in the live-stock business in 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



611 



Texas, but not to a very great extent. Then 
he was in Missouri ten years. Colorado was 
his next home, for three years, and in 1868 
he reached California. Arroyo Grande Val- 
ley has since been his home. The first two 
years he resided two and a half miles above 
Arroyo Grande on the creek; later he had his 
farm at the foot of the valley, where he lived 
until 1888, when he came to his present 
property in the town, consisting of two acres 
of very choice land. He owns 73 acres a mile 
from town and 640 acres near the Huasna 
Valley. On the latter lie is raising stock, 
and on his other land in the valley he is rais- 
ing fruit and vegetables, with splendid suc- 
cess. He points with pride to a pumpkin 
which weighs 207 pounds, and beets and car- 
rots of incredible size, which have been raised 
upon his ground. He is a zealous believer 
in the great wealth and resources of that 
famous valley, and he is " there to stay. " 

He was married in February, 1856, to 
Miss Hingley, and they have eleven children. 



-H-f-fo*- -- 



WARD, the leading harness-maker of 
Santa Maria, was born in Santa Rosa, 
■ 9 California, in 1850. His father, Abra- 
ham Ward, moved to Petaluma in 1853 and 
bought a ranch of 2,000 acres, 300 being till- 
able. He there carried on general farming 
and the dairy business, keeping 150 cows 
and also about fifty horses. Subject was edu- 
cated in Oakland at the Breighton Univer 
sity, from which he graduated in 1872. He 
then began book-keeping at Petaluma for 
one year; then went to the harness shop of W. 
Davis, where he learned the trade of saddler 
and harness-maker, remaining about two 
years. He then worked at his trade, and 
other occupations, until 1877, when he 
went to Washington Territory, where be 



opened a harnesss hop and continued ten 
years in the business. In 1887 he sold out 
and returned home for a few months; then 
opened a shop at Nipomo, but in 1889 moved 
his stock to Santa Maria and bought out the 
harness shop of Cumis & Smith, which he 
has since continued. He keeps a fine stock 
of saddles and harness, all his own manu- 
facture, and a full stock of robes, horse cloth- 
ing and stable supplies, with sufficient hands 
to perform all orders with neatness and dis- 
patch. Mr. Ward was married in Petaluma, 
in 1875, to Miss Lucina Lusk, and five 
children have been added to the union. He 
was a charter member and has served two 
terms as President of Nipomo Parlor, No. 
123, of the Native Sons of the Golden West. 



(0 , . fi] 



ra£i ALENTINE MANCILLA was born in 

J£ Mexico in 1829. At the age of twenty 
years he went to San Francisco, Cali- 
fornia; remained there, however, but a short 
time, g,s he also did at Monterey, where he 
next journeyed. The gold mines then at- 
tracted his attention and he searched for 
nuggets for three years and more. Sacra- 
mento was his next stopping place, and in 
1855 he moved to San Luis Obispo. Mr. 
Mancilla has been engaged in mercantile life 
ever since he came to this county. In the 
city of San Luis Opispo he was one of the 
pioneer merchants. For thirty years, barring 
a period of six years when he was in Rakers- 
field, he has kept a general merchandise store 
in that city, and has watched with great in- 
terest the growth of the place. When first 
he settled there he relates that, besides the 
mission building, there were only ten or 
twelve houses in the whole settlement. In 
1884 Mr. Mancilla moved to the town of 
POZO, in (be San Jose Valley, where be now 



612 



8 AWT A B ABB ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



resides and conducts a general merchandise 
store. 

He was married in 1869 to Mary A. Ortega. 
A gentleman of fine bearing, Mr. Mancilla 
has been universally popular wherever he has 
made his home. 



gpDWARD LEEDHAM, of the Arroyo 
Grande Valley, was born in Birming- 
ham, England, in 1828, and for many 
years before coming to America he practiced 
mechanical engineering. After arriving in 
this country he operated quartz-mills at 
Halifax four years, and then was for some 
time the engineer of a large flouring-mill at 
Boston. In 1875 he came to California, and 
for three years was the principal lighthouse- 
keeper at Pigeon Point, — a novel experience 
for him. In 1878 he bought a ranch in 
Santa Cruz County, and began farming, but 
he says with disastrous results. He came to 
the Arroyo Grande in November, 1879, with 
just $500, and soon lost it in the sand hills. 
He fell back upon his old profession as engi- 
neer, and operated as such in a mill at San 
Luis Obispo; and in 1881 was able to buy his 
present property. His first purchase was 
only sixteen acres, but he now has 116 acres. 
He makes a specialty of fruit, flowers and 
bulbs. He is an excellent authority in all 
horticultural and agricultural matters. He 
was commissioner for the Mechanics' Insti- 
tute Pair in 1877 and 1878 for San Luis 
Obispo County, held in San Francisco. He 
is also president of the Arroyo Grande Valley 
Agricultural Society. He has been success- 
ful in a marked degree with his exhibits at 
the fairs, carrying off many of the valuable 
premiums at each competition. He and J. V. 
JS. Young secured most of the premiums at 



the county fair of 1889. Mr. Leedham is 
married and has six children. 



fOHN V. N. YOUNG, a farmer of the 
Arroyo Grande Valley, was born in Ot- 
sego County, New York, in 1826, of 
which State both his parents, who are not now 
living, were also natives. They had a large 
farm, which was the family home until the 
spring of 1836, when they all moved to Mich- 
igan, at a period when there was a grand rush 
of emigration from the Empire to the Wol- 
verine State. Until 1859 Mr. Young re- 
mained at his father's home upon a farm. 
He then started West again and settled for a 
few years on the east side of the Sierra Ne- 
vada mountains, upon a farm. In 1867 he 
came to San Luis Obispo County, and kept a 
hotel at the the county-seat, where now the 
French Hotel is. Originally he intended to 
purchase a ranch, and had no idea of keeping 
a hotel ; but the land bargain which he thought 
he had made fell through; and so he tried the 
hotel business. A year of this was enough 
for him, and he bought a ranch of 1,220 
acres twelve miles west of Paso ttobles, where 
he raised live-stock for twelve years. Dis- 
posing of this property in 1883, he moved 
upon his present place, which he had pur- 
chased in the fall of 1878. It comprises 
twenty-five acres, is near the town of Arroyo 
Grande, and here he raises fruit and vegeta- 
bles. He still has a place of 160 acres rented 
out near Paso Robles. His present garden 
spot on the Arroyo Grande Creek is prettily 
situated. His orchard of fifteen acres there 
is one of the finest in the whole valley. 

Mr. Young was married in 1852, to Miss 
Babbitt, of Elmira, New York, and of a fam- 
ily well known throughout that section of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



Gia 



the State. They have two sons and three 
daughters. 



(ALEB SHERMAN, the leading lawyer 
of Santa Maria, was born in Madison 
County, Vermont, in 1830. His parents 
moved to Illinois in 1883, and to Iowa in 
1839, but both died before subject became 
of age. His education was conducted at the 
common schools of Iowa, with a brief normal 
course. He worked at farming up to eight- 
een years of age, and then began reading law 
with Judge Darling, of Jackson County. In 
the spring of 1850 he started for California, 
across the plains, but owing to an attack of 
mountain fever he stopped and wintered at 
Salt Lake City, continuing his trip in the 
spring of 1851; and on the Truckee River he 
was stung by a scorpion, which again brought 
on a severe illness. With the delays the 
trip consumed one year; he was at death's 
door twice, and he lost $1,200 in horses and 
cattle. He landed at Marysville, and then 
went to the Eureka mines, remaining in that 
vicinity until 1855, with very fair success. 
In 1855 he returned to the States, by Panama, 
to bettle the estate of his uncle. He was 
married in Jackson County, Iowa, in 1856, 
to Miss Laura Butter worth, and in the fall 
of the same year he returned to California, by 
Panama, accompanied by his wife, uncle's 
lamily and relatives. He then settled at 
Petaluina, and for seven years engaged in the 
hotel and restaurant business. In 1863 he 
went to the silver mines in Nevada and re- 
mained about three years, tlien took his fam- 
ily to Iowa, and he went to New York to sell 
mining securities. While going up the 
Hudson River by boat, be was asked what 
business be had followed in California, and 
in reply said, " Everything, from selling pea- 



nuts to pleading law," — such was the diver- 
sity of occupations by the early pioneers. 
On account of illness Mr. Sherman returned 
to Bellevne, Iowa, and engaged in the livery 
business, and later was appointed Under 
Sheriff, which office he held four years; 
then in 1874 he returned to California, and 
settled at Santa Barbara, when he engaged in 
an auction and commission business. In 
1877 and 1878 he represented Santa Barbara 
and Ventura counties in the Legislature, and 
in 1879 entered the office of Judge Heacock 
and completed his profession, and was admit- 
ted to practice in 1880. In the fall he went 
to Oakland, and practiced about fifteen 
months, then in the spring of 1882 he came 
to Santa Maria, bought property, established 
his home and continued his profession. In 
January, 1883, he was appointed Assistant 
District Attorney under J. J. Boyce, and in 
January, 1886, was re-appointed under 
Oglesby, and in January, 1889, under W. B. 
Copt-. He has served as Notary Public since 
1884. 

His first wife having died he was remar- 
ried in Oakland to Miss Amy Wilson. Mr. 
Sherman has 640 acres of valley and grazing 
land, which he rents, but his pretty place, 
surrounded by fruit, flowers and shrubbery, 
bear evidence of his love for nature had he 
time to gratify his desires. He is a member 
of Santa Barbara Lodge, No. 156, and En- 
campment No. 52, I. O. O. F. 



;h:- 



fOIIN LONG was born in Norfolk 
County, England, in 1856. Be livedal 
home during his early life, assisting his 
father on the farm excepting about two years 

when he worked at blacksmithing. He came 

to the United States in 1875, direct to Cali- 
fornia and landed at Guadalupe July 2, 1875 



614 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



He immediately found employment with 
Hart Bros., but alter three months he came 
to Santa Maria to work in the shops estab- 
lished by Reuben Hart, where our subject 
continued to work until 1887, when Mr. Hart 
closed out that branch of the business. Mr. 
Long then purchased one half of Mr. Hart's 
building; and moved it to his lot on Main 
street, where he is now established with a 
fully equipped shop 40x60 feet. He there 
carries on iron and wood work in all branches 
•of carriage building and repairing, employ- 
ing three blacksmiths and one wood-work- 
man. He was married in Santa Maria in 
1883 to Miss Annie Bradley, a native of 
England, and the union has been blessed by 
two children, Charles and Sadie. Mr. Long 
is a member of Hesperian Lodge, No. 64, F. 
& A.M. 

fB. DRAPER was born in Sonom a 
County, California, in 1866. In 1870 
^ his father's family moved to Cayucos, 
San Luis Obispo County, and there young 
Draper spent his boyhood. At the age of 
ten he went to San Luis Obispo and ran a 
milk wagon, attending school when opportu- 
nity offered. In 1881 he came with his father 
to the ranch where they now live. This 
property consists of 320 acres of choice land, 
located between the Huasna and Arroyo 
Grande valleys. Mr. Draper raises consider- 
able stock on this place, but also spends 
much of his time in outside work. He is at 
present foreman and manager of the Tar 
Spring ranch, 4,900 acres in extent, and ad- 
joining Huasna Valley on the west. This 
property was formerly in the Branch tract 
and has been recently purchased by Mr. R. 
W. Sanford, a wealthy Englishman. Many 
cattle and fine horses are raised on this ranch. 



Mr. Draper was married in 1887 to Miss e 
See. They have one child. 



,EUBEN HART.— One of the pioneers 
and prominent developers of Santa 
Maria, is the subject of this sketch, who 
was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1843. 
He was educated in England and learned the 
trade of carriage builder at the Stubbs Man- 
ufacturing Company at Derby city, where he 
remained five years. He then went to Swan- 
sea, Wales, and worked in a large manu- 
factory, after which he came to the United 
States and began his American life at the 
Cummings Railway Contract shop in New 
Jersey, remaining about four years. While 
there he sent for his brother, also a machin- 
ist, and together they came to California in 
1866. Our subject first worked for D. S. 
Mills at San Jose, as manager of his large 
manufactory of w r agons and agricultural im- 
plements, and then went to Castorville, and 
with his brother established a general black- 
smith and machine shop under the firm of 
Hart Bros., which they continued up to 1872, 
and then moved their stock and machinery to 
the new town of Guadalupe, where they 
started the town by establishing a large 
blacksmith and machine shop and also built 
a block of business houses; also acting as 
sub-agents of the Guadalupe ranch. After 
three years, in 1875, Reuben Hart came to 
Santa Maria; bought property at corner of 
Maine and Broadway and started the town 
by building extensive shops for blacksmith, 
repair and machine purposes, also a feed 
mill — with steam power — and later a store 
and several residences, and carried on a large 
business in feed and barley and in general 
trade with the farmers. In 1879 the firm 
dissolved and our subject retained the Santa 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



615 



Maria property, his brother continuing at 
Guadalupe. In 1879 our subject started a 
lumber yard, and in 1880 established the 
water-works, piping the town and pumping 
the water by steam power from a well eighty- 
live feet deep to an elevated tank. In 1882 
and 1883 he was in partnership with M. P. 
Nicholson in farming 4,000 acres in wheat 
and running a steam thresher. In 1884 he 
built a one-story brick building 50x88 feet, 
corner of Main and Broadway, for store pur- 
poses. He continued his shop interests up 
to 1888, then sold business and building, 
which were removed, and he began erecting 
his present spacious and comfortable hotel, 
being a two-story brick 100x120 feet, con- 
taining forty-three sleeping rooms with 
spacious parlor, smoking, reception and bil- 
liard rooms and a dining room, 30 x 60 feet, 
with hot and cold baths; in fact, a hotel com- 
plete in every appointment and managed by 
a genial host makes a pleasant place to reside. 
Mr. Hart was married at Santa Maria in 
1879 to Mrs. Harriet Sharp, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and with her two daughters and one 
by the last union the home circle seems com- 
plete and happy. 

f VICTOR JESSEE, surveyor and civil 
engineer of Santa Maria, was born in 
a Woodland, Yolo County, California, 
in 1855. [lis father, Archer C. Jessee, was 
an early pioneer to California and was born 
in Russell County, Virginia, in 1821. He 
lived at home until 1842 when he was mar- 
ried, in Atchison County, Missouri, to Miss 
Mary Harbin, a native of Tennessee. After 
marriage he farmed until 1846, when he 
came across the plains to California with 
oxen, horses and mules, and was five months 



in crossing. He settled on the present site 
of Sacramento, and soon after arrival, in the 
fall of 1846, he enlisted under General Fre- 
mont in Fremont's Battalion, and was ap- 
pointed First Lieutenant of Company E, 
under Captain John Grigsby. They were at 
the battle of Salinas Plains when Captain 
Byrns Foster and others were killed, and at 
the skirmish at San Fernando. He served 
through the war and was discharged in April, 
1847. He then returned to Sacramento and 
later moved to Napa Valley, where he re- 
sided fourteen years, trading and dealing ex- 
tensively in land and stock. He was the first 
Sheriff of Napa County and served two 
terms. In 1864 they moved to Lake County 
in same business and in 1869 came to San 
Luis Obispo ; then to San Bernardino in 
1873, and in 1876 to Arizona, where lie died 
August 12, 1876. The family then returned 
to Santa Maria in 1878. There are ten chil- 
dren living, seven sons and three daughters. 
J. Victor Jessee was educated in the com- 
mon schools and the private college of San 
Bernardino, and there studied civil engineer- 
ing, finishing in 1875. In Arizona he fol- 
lowed his profession in general land survey 
and in running irrigating canals. He re- 
turned to Santa Maria in 1878, and in 1880 
joined the United States Land Survey, work- 
ing with them one year, and since then has 
been chiefly occupied by his profession, llo 
subdivided the Bradley ranch for the Santa 
Barbara Land and Water Company, and is 
frequently employed by the courts in casts of 
complicated boundary lines throughout Santa 
Barbara County. He has been a witness in 
thirty-eight land cases and has never lost a 
case. He does all the county work in the 
northern part of the county, and has done 
the necessary subdividing of the Suey 
Rancho. He has all the field notes and 
data of the section of country about the Santa 



01(3 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LOIS OBISPO 



Maria Valley — made out by personal expe- 
rience. 

He was married at Santa Maria on Febru 
ary 16, 1888, to Miss Mary McHenry, a 
native of California, and they are very happy 
in their little one, born January 23, 1890. 



|EOEGE MANDERSCHEID, superin- 
tendent of the wharf at Port Harford, 
was born in Germany, in 1853. At the 
age often years he was thrown as an orphan 
upon his own resources, and in 1872 he came 
to California. After spending a few months 
at Santa Cruz, he came to San Luis Obispo, 
and was for the first two years engaged in 
the photographing business. Afterward he 
worked in the quicksilver mines in Canada, 
and for two years had charge of a wharf at 
San Simeon, and also conducted a store 
there. He first came to Port Harford in 
1877. and clerkel in the wharf office; and 
since 1881 he has been superintendent of 
this wharf, where a much larger amount of 
business is transacted than one would im- 
agine without investigation. Mr. Mander- 
bcheid is also Postmaster at that point, and 
acrent of the Wells-Fargo Express Company. 
He was married in 1884, to Louisa Avila, 
a niece of John Avila, and has three children. 



AVID LEWTY was born in England, iu 
1842, and at the age of thirteen years 
was apprenticed to John Bond, in the 
town of Preston, who kept a contract and 
general machine shop. There David learned 
the trade and remained seven years. He then 
went to Liverpool and worked in a marine 
shop, and then to Crewe, where in railroad 



shops and mills he remained until 1869; then 
emigrated to the United States and direct to 
California. He soon found employment in 
San Francisco with the Ben Holliday Steam- 
ship Company. In 1872 he went to Salinas, 
and for J. E. Preston ran his engine for his 
steam threshiug-machine, continuing the 
work to Santa Maria, in 1873, when they 
threshed all through the valley; and out of 
threshing season he worked at his trade in 
the machine shop of Hart Bros, at Guada- 
lupe, continuing up to 1877, when he spent 
one year in San Francisco, and in the fall of 
1878 started his saloon at Guadalupe, selling 
out in 1881 to take a trip to England, and 
was away fourteen months. On returning to 
California in 1882 he opened business at 
Quincy, and in 1883 at San Luis Obispo, re- 
turning to Santa Maria in September, 1885 
He owns town property and fifty-seven and 
one-half acres on Santa Maria mesa. He is a 
member of Guadalupe Lodge, No. 237, F. & 
A.M. 

RVILLE ROOT, station agent, [Post- 
master, etc., at Miles Station, on the 
railroad between San Luis Obispo and 
Fort Harford, has had his present situation 
ever since the railroad was built to that 
point, and he also owns a ranch of forty-seven 
acres. The postoffice is named Root in his 
honor. He was born born in Allegany 
County, New York, in 1821, and when of 
age he settled upon a piece of land in Indi- 
ana which his father had bought for him, and 
lived there sixteen years, and while a resident 
there he married Miss Elizabeth Hurd, in 
1843. In 1857 he moved to Kansas and 
was engaged there in mercantile life for a 
time, and in 1863 he came to Santa Cruz 
Here he first engaged 



County, California. 



AND VENTURA COUNT I ES. 



Gil 



extensively in the lumber trade, as lie did 
also at Port Harford for a year. In Santa 
Cruz County lie was Under Sheriff six years. 
In 1870 he came to his present place, already 
mentioned. His ranch near by is well located 
and is very productive. 

His children are five in number, viz.; 
Ruth, now Mrs. George T. Gragg; Hazard; 
Eliza, now Mrs. J. A. Mercer; Mary, now 
the wife of J. D. Armstrong; and Orville, Jr. 



EORGE C. SMITH was born in Butler 
County, Ohio, in 1849. His father was 
an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, 
who moved to Douglas County, Illinois, in 
1863, and on 700 acres of land carried on 
general fanning and stock-raising, keeping 
1,800 sheep, besides cattle and mules. In 
1869 they moved to Mississippi and raised 
140 acres of cotton, but labor being- high and 
weeds abundant they grew but one crop, and 
in 1870 returned to Ohio, where our subject 
bought ninety-five acres of land and grew 
wheat. After two years he went to Cincin- 
nati, and in December, 1874, started for 
California, settling at Gracioso, where his 
father had preceded him and taken up 320 
acres of land. Our subject farmed two years, 
then during the following five years made 
two trips to Ohio, returning to California in 
1881 and settling permanently in the Santa 
Maria Valley. In June, 1882, he was en- 
gaged by Schwartz & Beebee as manager of 
their lumber yard, and he continued in that 
position until February, 1890. He has also 
been interested in land speculations and fine 
horses. In 1886 he bought land near town, 
and still owns 160 fine buiding lots. He 
formerly Dwned the noted stallion Ben Wade, 
and has raised some fine trotting horses. Mr. 
Smith was married at Dix ('reek, in Butler 

30 



County, Ohio, on March 24, 1869, to Miss 
Mary C. Curryer, of Scotch-English descent. 
They have had two children, and been deeply 
afflicted with the loss of both. 

HARLES W. MERRITT was born in 
Brooklyn, New York, in 1842. His 
father was an extensive dry-goods and 
clothing merchant of New York city, after 
living in Galveston, Texas, where he was in- 
terested in real estate. Coming to California 
in 1856 he settled at San Francisco and was 
connected with the grain and commission 
business. In 1856 and 1857 he was editor 
of the Daily Post, which later was merged 
with the Pathfinder. 

Our subject came to California with his 
father and was educated in the public schools. 
He began business in 1866 as superintendent 
of the Huasna Rancho owned by Isaac J. 
Sparks, who came to California before 1840, 
and to whom the ranch of 25,000 acres was 
granted. After four years as superintendent, 
in 1870 he began the stock business in San 
Luis Obispo County, renting land up to 1882, 
when, in partnership with George Phoenix, 
they bought the Casamalia Rancho of 5,600 
acres. He keeps 500 dairy cow6 and about 
300 stock cattle. He has three dairies, all 
leased with stock. In 1887, with John 
Murray, Jr., they bought 160 acres near 
town and began breeding fast horses, keep- 
ing about twenty mares -graded and standard 
bred. They own the stallion " Electro," 
standard bred, by "Electioneer" from the 
" Palo Alto" ranch of ex-Governor Stanford; 
also " Saxton," standard bred, raised in 
New York. They have a mile track on the 
ranch for training purposes and Mr. Merritt 
also owns improved town property. 

He was married in San Luis Obispo County 



<il8 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJX LUIS OBIbPO 



in 1869, to Miss Dorothy Phoenix, and they 
have six children. Mr. Merritt has served 
two terms as Supervisor and declined re- 
nomination. He is a memher of the A. O. 
U. W. 

tLFRED WALKER, a prominent citi- 
zen of San Luis Obispo, was born in 
Somerset County, Maine, June 22, 
1835, of sturdy New England parents. His 
father is still living, at the age of eighty-nine 
years; he is a descendant of a Plymouth 
Rock pioneer. His mother, also living, is a 
relative of ex-President Cleveland, her maiden 
name also having been Cleveland. Mr. 
Walker, our subject, graduated with honor at 
the Anson Academy. Soon afterward he went 
to Boston and learned the trades of engineer- 
ing and carpentering. In 1859 he came to 
the Golden State and entered the sheep rear- 
ing business in Monterey County, in com- 
pany with F. A. Goodrich. Together they 
owned the San Joaquin Ranch, composing 
two leagues of land. In 1864, the disastrous 
dry year, the firm lost 10,000 head of sheep! 
Soon afterward they sold their ranch, at a 
good profit. In 1865 Mr. Walker went to 
Santa Cruz and operated a saw-mill until 
1871. For many years after and before this 
date he was engaged as a contractor and 
builder in the construction of large buildings 
in the counties of San Lnis Obispo, Santa 
Barbara and Los Angeles; also in laying 
street pavements, etc. He built the Bloch- 
man store, the county jail and court-house in 
the city of San Luis Obispo, and laid the 
pavement of many prominent streets in Los 
Angeles with bituminous rock, the latter con- 
tract involving an expenditure of $360,000. 
In 1886, in company with Dr. Nichols, he 
purchased the property known as the Oil 



Wells, Judge Frederick Adams soon after- 
ward taking an interest. During the past 
two years this property passed into his own 
hands, and he now owns it, together with a 
ranch of 300 acres adjoining. On this place, 
now called Sycamore Springs, Mr. Walker 
conducts a popular hotel, and, being on the 
direct road to the ocean from San Luis 
Obispo city, it is well patronized. On the 
grounds are also valuable sulphur springs, 
connected with a sanitarium. January 9, 
1889, the bituminous rock mine was discov- 
ered, and for a time Mr. Walker was inter- 
ested in that; but shortly afterward he sold 
out his interest to other stockholders. 

lie was married in 1885, to Mrs. Clack- 
mer, a sister of Frederick Adams, and has 
one child, — Blaine Walker, — named after' 
the distinguished statesman, James G. Blaine, 
an old and intimate friend of Mr. Walker's 
father. 



fP. MORENO, a resident of San Luis 
Obispo city ever since 1856, was born 
9 in Monterey, this State, June 25, 1845, 
and has been engaged in agriculture mobt of 
the later years of his life. At one time he 
was foreman of the ranch of S. Blochman 
for a period of seven years. He now keeps 
a restaurant on the main road between San 
Luis Obispo and Port Harford, having a good 
run of patronage. He was married June 17, 
1880, and has a family of three children. 

jggEORGE O. TAYLOR, a gardener and 
'viW orchardist in the Arroyo Grande, was 
W^ born in New Hampshire, in 1846. The 
family of which he was a member moved to 
California in 1853, settling in Yuba County 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



010 



for three years. The father was engaged in 
mining and lumbering in Nevada City, Ne- 
vada County, and that place was the family 
home for a time. In 1862 George was sent 
to school in Santa Clara County, and for 
eighteen months he attended the University 
of the Pacific in that county. In 1864 he 
went to sea, being gone four years and visit- 
ing South America, Europe, the Mediterra- 
nean Sea, and other parts of the world, — 
mainly for experience and information. Re- 
turning, he went into the stone business with 
his father; shortly he began farming in Kern 
County, and in 1876 he settled in the Arroyo 
Grande, where he now lives. He has twenty 
acres on the Monte, wheie he is engaged in 
raising beans and fruit. His orchard is suc- 
cessful beyond all anticipation, some of his 
trees being revelations in their way. 

He was married in 1872, to Miss Nettie B. 
Jones, and has three children. 

— -«■■»— •♦g" 1 3 ' 'S " ffi""*"'" "■""■ 

S. JONES has been a resident of 
San Luis Obispo County for twenty - 
[' 2$r?i ** five years, coming to the Arroyo 
Grande as a rancher with the Steele Bros. 
He had previously made the acquaintance of 
George Steele, who had been studying law 
with his father. He was married in 1868 to 
Eduarda M. Branch, a daughter of Francis 
Z. Branch, and has nine children. They are 
residing on a part of the large Branch tract, 
which was deeded to Mrs. Jones by her 
father, May 26, 1871; it is located just below 
the old Branch residence. She was born in 
1850, in the old adobe house, than which 
there is no finer specimen of adobe architect- 
ure now to be found. Many are the people 
who have been entertained in this Branch 
home. Having an excellent memory, Mrs. 
Jones relates many interesting items in con- 




nection with her father's estate, which are 
printed elsewhere in our sketch of that dis- 
tinguished pioneer. 



F. FIELD was born in Madison, Con- 
necticut, in 1829, and in 1843 moved 
with parents to New Haven, where 
subject was educated. At the age of twenty- 
one years he went to Newton and learned 
the carpenter trade under A. W. Gory. He 
then followed his trade about Connecticut up 
to 1858, when he emigrated to Glencoe, Min- 
nesota, then a new town, just being estab- 
lished. In 1862 be went to Fort Snelling to 
enlist, but was rejected on account of rheu- 
matic troubles; but, thrilled with patriotism, 
he then returned to Connecticut and enlisted 
at Meriden, in Company A, Fifteenth Con- 
necticut Regiment, under Colonel Dexter R. 
Wright, who later resigned and was succeeded 
by Colonel Charles L. Upham. The regi- 
ment was then sent to the department of the 
Potomac, and their first engagement was at 
Fredericksburg. They were then stationed 
at Newbern, North Carolina, for about one 
year, doing provost duty. They then started 
to meet Sherman in his march through 

o 

Georgia, but in an engagement at Kingston, 
North Carolina, the entire regiment were taken 
prisoners. They were then marched to Rich- 
mond, a fifteen-days march, with little to eat, 
being allowed only one pint of meal each day, 
and that ground with the cob. Thev were 
then placed in Lil>by prison, but paroled 
after three days and the war being so nearly 
closed, they did no more active service, but 
were mustered nut at Newbern, in 1865, and 
sent back to New York on an old disabled 
schooner. Mr. Field then returned borne. 
His father had died during his absence, and 
the family removed to Wallingford, Con- 



(520 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



necticut, and there he remained and worked 
at his trade until he came to California, in 
1871. He then settled at Anaheim and 
farmed one year, then came to San Luis 
Obispo County, and became manager of the 
Suey Rancho. He built the present ranch 
house and out-buildings, and remained eleven 
years. lu 1878, following the dry year, the 
valley was first farmed, thus affording the 
settlers an opportunity to work, and also to 
get a supply of seed, for future purposes, as 
they were nearly starved out. This was the 
commencement of grain-raising in the valley. 
After the death of Mr. Newhall, subject 
came to Santa Maria and purchased town 
property and built his present residence, and, 
through improving his place, set out experi- 
mentally a few orange-trees, which have done 
well. He also worked at his trade as opportun- 
ity offered. 

Mr. Field was married at Walling- 
ford, Connecticut, in 1868, to Miss Bessie 
Crampton. They have no children. He is 
a member of Hesperian Lodge, No. 264, F. 
& A. M., and is Commander of Foote Post, 
No. 84, G. A. E. 

WALLACE L. HARDISON, of Santa 
Paula, is one of the most prominent 
business men of Ventura County or 
Southern California. Joseph Hardison, the 
originator of, the family in America, came to 
that part of Massachusetts now embraced in 
the State of Maine before the Revolution, and 
it is believed from Sweden. His son, Joseph 
Hardison, and his grandson, Ivory Hardison, 
and his great grandson, Wallace L. Hardison 
(the subject of this sketch), were all born in 
Caribou, Aroostook County, Maine. Mr. 
Hardison's father was horn in 1802, and he 
dates his own hirth in August 26, 1850. 




His mother, Dorcas (Abbott) Hardison, was 
born in China, Kennebec County, Maine, in 
1804, and was a descendant of the old Abbott 
family, statesmen and authors of the early 
history of the country. There were eleven 
children in his family, of whom he was the 
youngest. His education was received in the 
public schools and a short course in the Hel- 
ton Academy; before reaching maturity his 
husiness had been that of farming. In 1869, 
when nineteen years of age he came to Hum- 
bol-H County, California, where for a short 
time he worked fur wages; soon, however, he 
began work for himself, as a contractor, in a 
small way. In the fall of 1870 he went East 
to Pennsylvania, and engaged in work for 
his brother, who was controlling the drilling 
of oil wells. In the course of a year he was 
taken into partnership, and in another year 
he began to operate for oil on his own ac- 
count. While in Pennsylvania he was con- 
nected with the drilling of 300 oil wells. The 
first well he owned was the Eaton and Grant, 
the time occupied on it before it began to 
produce oil was about three months, and its 
production was 100 barrels per day. While 
engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania, 
he purchased the Eaton farm in Saline and 
Ellsworth counties, Kansas, and afterward 
purchased other lands adjoining, to the 
amount of 10,000 acres, which he stocked 
with horses, cattle and hogs, introducing 
some fine blooded horses to improve the 
stock. After running this property eight 
years, a stock company was formed, and 
half of the stock was sold to F. G. Babcock, 
of New York, and the other half was sold the 
lollowing April. July 1, 1888, Mr. Hardi- 
son took stock and started the National Bank 
of Saline, Kansas, and for four years owned 
the controlling interest and was its president 
until March, 1885, when he sold his interest; 
but he is still a stockholder. In 1882, with 



A ND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



621 



other gentlemen, he organized the Eldred 
Bank of McKean County, Pennsylvania, and 
was its president until 1884, and still retains 
stock. Through the influence of Mr. Lyman 
Stewart Mr. Hardison, in April, 1883, visited 
the oil regions in Ventura and Los Angeles 
counties, and was so impressed with the 
country — the prospect for oil, the fertility of 
the soil and the excellent climate — that he 
decided to move here, which he did in July 
17, 1883. In connection with Lyman Stewart, 
Milton Stewart and others, they drilled seven 
wells, six at Pico Canon and one at Santa 
Paula Canon. Only one of these wells was 
a producing well, which yielded a large 
amount, and is still producing splendidly. 
They have organized the Hardison- Stewart 
Company, and have drilled forty wells. They 
also organized the Sespe Oil Company, com- 
posed of Thomas R. Bard, Daniel McFarland 
and others, and have drilled twenty-seven 
wells. In connection with Thomas Bond, 
W. Chaffee, Messrs. Stewart, Dolbeer and 
others they have built pipe lines from the 
wells to Hueneme, Ventura and Santa Paula, 
and a refinery at Santa Paula. This crude 
.oil is shipped all over the country, and the re- 
fined oil finds the principal market at San 
Francisco and Los Angeles. They also manu- 
facture lubricating oils, gas oils and asphal- 
tum. Their crude petroleum is largely used 
for fuel, for the generation of steam. They 
built a steamboat, at a cost of about §65,000 
to carry oil in bulk to San Francisco: her 
capacity was 160,000 gallons. It caught fire 
and burned at the dock, and has not yet been 
replaced. 

Mr. Hardison has assisted in the organi- 
zation of the First National Bank of Santa 
Paula, and is one of the directors and a stock- 
holder. He has been a factor in the organi- 
zation of the Universalist Church of Santa 
Paula, and also in the starting of the Santa 



Paula Academy. He is president of the 
Horse and Cattle Company. In 1883 he 
bought 6,400 acres of the ex-Mission Rancho, 
and a company was formed to which he sold 
the ranch. Before organizing the company 
he had sold interests in the ranch to his 
brother, Harvey, and to his nephew, C. P. 
Collins, and also to John R. D. Say. At the 
time of organization the company had about 
500 head of cattle. Mr. Hardison still retains 
stock in this enterprise. In 1885 he imported 
twenty thoroughbred registered Holstein 
cows and a bull from Holland, through a 
cattle firm of Hornellsville, New York. They 
are doing finely. Mr. Hardison is president 
of and a stockholder in the Santa Paula 
Hardware and Stove Company, who have 
just completed a very large and expensive 
store building, an ornament to the place and 
a credit to their reputation. It is fully 
stocked to demand all the modern require- 
ments in the line of hardware. The building 
is 62 x 80 feet, with a rear addition 40 x 60 
feet, for 6toves, making the total depth 140 
feet. Mr. Hardison is also a director of the 
Los Posos Land & Water Company, conduct- 
ing an extensive enterprise. His home place, 
of eighty acres, is situated in a beautiful 
locality in the Santa Paula Canon, a mile 
and a quarter from town, where they enjoy a 
beautiful view of the surrounding country. 
Mr. Hardison has here built an elegant house, 
on a beautiful site, surrounded with grounds, 
to his taste, where he enjoys the comforts of 
home life. When in Pennsylvania, he rep- 
resented his district in the Legislature during 
the exciting sessions of 1880-'81. In his 
political views he is a Republican; in his 
religious, a Universalist, and he is a total- 
abstinence man with reference to string drink 
and tobacco. He has a fine physical develop 
ment and is a splendid representation of the 
Belt-made American business man. 



022 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



In 1875 Mr. Hardison was united in matri- 
mony with Miss Clara McConnell, of Ven- 
ango County, Pennsylvania. Her father, 
William Benjamin Harrison McDonald, now 
resides in Santa Paula. Mr. and Mrs. Hardi- 
son have five children, three of whom are 
living, namely: Guy Lyman, born in Clar- 
ion County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1876; 
Gussie, born in McKean County, Pennsylva- 
nia, May 30, 1880, and Hope, born in Santa 
Paula, April 2, 1889. 

.~Mf^Mf*fH~~ 



||fVERMANN HOLT, a cattle-raiser near 
fwft. Guadalupe, was born in Hanover, 
"^M Germany, and came to America in 
1867, — directly to California. For the first 
two years he followed farming in Monterey 
County, and since then he has been in San 
Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. For 
some time he lived with his brother Henry, 
who owns a ranch of 475 acres on the Oso 
Flaco, and since 1884 he has been residing 
upon his own ranch of 211 acres a mile from 
Guadalupe, where he is engaged in raising- 
cattle. He is a bachelor. 



■f**wH§»* 



fAMES ALLEN DAY, one of the pio- 
neers of the orchard business^in Ventura 
County, came to Ventura in 1874, and 
engaged in horticulture, planting 100 acres to 
apricots. He also let 150 acres, which was 
planted to fruit, under his directions, and he 
built the first fruit dryer in the county; so 
that he is entitled to the credit of having 
faith that the soil of this county would raise 
fine fruit, and he backed his faith with his 
works. He is a native of Franklin County, 
New York, and dates his birth July 3, 1828. 
His father, Orrada Day, was a native of 



Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Day's grand- 
father, Robert E. Day, was one of the first 
settlers of Hartford, Connecticut, having gone 
to that State before the Revolution. They were 
Welsh people. His parents had twelve chil- 
dren, three of whom are now living, Mr. 
Day being the sixth of the family, and the 
oldest survivor. He was reared and educated 
in the State of New York, and his first busi- 
ness was the manufacture of lime and brick. 
He made a success of it in Oshkosh, Wiscon- 
sin, for twenty years. Before going to Wis- 
consin he had spent five years in Massa- 
chusetts. When he came to Ventura he 
invested in land. He is still largely interested 
in real-estate, having 807 acres in one locality, 
and seventy-five acres adjoining Ventura. 
He has more recently interested himself in 
the construction of some fine blocks in Ven- 
tura. With three others he built the Masonic 
Block, one of the grandest buildings in the 
city, if not the finest. It is a credit to the 
city and also to its builders. Mr. Day had 
the superintendence of its construction. It 
contains two fine stores on the first, floor, and 
above are several office rooms and a splendid 
Masonic hall, all the rooms being occupied. 
Mr. Collins and Mr. Day built the Collins 
Block, in which the Collins Bank is located, 
and this building is another ornament to the 
town. Mr. Day has done his part in the pub- 
lic enterprises of the place, and has been ever 
ready to help in what he believed was for its 
success. He was made a Mason in 1860, and 
is Commander of* the commandery at the 
present time. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane 
Warren, of Connecticut. She is the daughter 
of Mr. Alonzo Warren, of that State. Their 
union has been blessed with four children: 
the oldest, Alice, was born in Oshkosh, Wis- 
consin, and is married to Mr. Charles G. 
Bartlett, of Ventura; Bera C. is now attend- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



623 



ing a university at Los Angeles; Mark E. 
and Lillie V. 

Mr. Day has now, in a measure, retired 
from business. He spends his time in the 
lovely home he has built, on a sightly spot, 
overlooking the town and the ocean. He has 
also a nice club room, in which he may often 
be found, enjoying especially the company of 
his friends. 



■■<t ? - l' < l < 



i^*-40^-— — 



ORTON, another one of California's 
pioneers, came to this State in 1853. 
\ Q He was born in New York, March 23, 
1834. His father, R. Orton, was also a native 
of New York, and was of Scotch descent. 
Mr. Orton's mother, Clara (Bicknell) Orton, 
was born in Utica, New York. Her people 
were of French and English extraction. Mr. 
Orton was educated in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 
and, after completing his studies, he engaged 
in the milliner business, which he learned in 
Iowa with his father, who owned a mill. 

Mr. Orton came to California during the 
gold excitement, and, like others, he bee une 
a miner in Volcano. He mined for a year 
and made as high as §50 per day; then sold 
out and went East. When he returned to 
California he engaged in milling in Santa 
Cruz County, and was in the business there 
from 1855 to 1871. He was elected Sheriff 
of the county, and held the office for eight 
years. During that time he arrested many 
desperate characters, guilty of high crimes. 
One man he followed 1,180 miles, and single- 
handed arrested him in a saloon, shackled 
him, lodged him in jail at Salt Lake City, 
and took the train to Ogden and thence to 
California. Mr. Orton again engaged in 
milling for two years, after which he located 
in San Luis Obispo County, and went into 
the milling business. He built a mill and 



remained there four years, and from there 
weut to Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, and 
milled six months. He came to Ventura in 
1881, and helped build the Ventura mill. 
He returned to Ventura February 1, 1887, 
and since then has improved the mill from a 
stone to a full roller-process mill, and he is 
now doing the milling for Ventura and sur- 
rounding country, and ships some flour to 
Santa Barbara. They make the best of flour, 
and also grind meal and feel of every de- 
scription. 

Mr. Orton was united in marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth Hunt, a native of Illinois, and 
daughter of Mr. John Hunt, of Watsonville, 
California. Their union is blessed with five 
children, four sons and a daughter. Emma 
was born in Santa Cruz County, and is now 
the wife of William Orr, of Santa Barbara 
County. F. A., Edgar and John were born 
n Smfca Cruz County, and Lucius was born 
in Ventura. Mr. Orton is a Master Mason, 
and also a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. In politics he is a Re- 
publican. 

~-^5* 3 " S « % «-""" 



YLER EITHER is another of the worthy 
pioneers of California. He was born 
in Houlton, Aroostook County, Maine, 
June 15, 1828. His father, Benjamin Either, 
was also a native of Maine, and his grand- 
father came from England to that State in an 
early day. Mr. Bither's mother, Anna (Tyler) 
Bither, was a native of Maine and of Dutch 
descent. The subject of this sketch remained 
in his native State until twenty-three years of 
age, when, in 1854, he came to California, 
and for twelve years was engaged in mining 
in Tuolumne County. lie dug from $2.50 
to §100 per day, and in one pan got six ounces 
of gold, which he sold for §102. When he 



624 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



quit mining he went to San Joaquin, took 
up Government land, which he improved, and 
ten years later sold it and located in San Luis 
Obispo County, remaining in that place one 
year. In 1877 he came to Ventura and, after 
renting land three years, purchased the farm 
of 100 acres on which he now resides. This 
he has improved, and his home is a comfort- 
able and attractive one. Mr. Bither is de- 
voting 400 acres to the cultivation of Lima 
beans and also small white beans, and is real- 
izing from $30 to $80 per acre from his crops. 

The subject of this sketch was married 
in 1852, to Miss Sarah J. Ward, wdio was 
born in Massachusetts in 1836. For thirty- 
eight years she has shared his joys and sor- 
rows, and knows much of pioneer life. They 
have reared a family of seven children, all 
now living, viz. : Arthur A., born in Maine 
in 1853, resides in the San Joaquin Valley; 
Marion J., born in Tuolumne County, Cali- 
fornia, in 1861, is now the wife of J. M.Coff- 
man, of Santa Barbara; Annie S., also born 
in Tuolumne County, now the wife of W. S. 
Newell, of Ventura; W. W. W"., one of trip- 
lets, now a resident of Ventura, the other two 
having died a few hours after birth; B. F. 
and Minnie M., both born in San Joaquin; 
and S. J. Eva, born in Ventura in 1880. 

Politically Mr. Bither was formerly a Doug- 
las Democrat, but since the war has been a 
firm Bepublican. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. lodge. His mother was a Free- 
will Baptist and his father a Universalis! 
Mrs. Bither was reared a Congregationalism 



B. KELSEY, a rancher near Ventura, 
is one of the pioneers and extensive 
farmers of Ventura County. He was 
born in Morris County, New Jersey, No- 
vember 8, 1838; his father, J. B. Kelsey, Sr., 



was a native of the same State; his ancestry 
were from Scotland. Mr. Kelsey 's mother 
was Delia (Conyer) Kelsey; her ancestors 
were of French extraction. J. B. Kelsey 
was the eleventh of a family of fifteen chil- 
dren. After his early schooling, at the age 
of fourteen years, he went to work in a gro- 
cery store in Kockaway, and continued there 
five years, when he came to California, in 1858. 
He remained one year in San Francisco, and 
then removed to Alameda County, where he 
rented lands and engaged in farming market 
produce. He continued that business until 
1868, when he came to Ventura and rented 
land two years, and then bought and im- 
proved 182 acres of land near Ventura. He 
still owns the property, and has planted trees 
and built a fruit-dryer. He moved upon 
the place in 1876, and is now raising corn 
and beans on a very large scale, — 1,500 
pounds of Lima beans, and about the same 
quantity of small white beans to the acre. 
His average crop of shelled corn is from 
3,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre. 

Mr. Kelsey was married, in 1861, to Miss 
Mary Fichter, a native of New York city, 
but was raised in New Jersey; her parents 
were of German extraction. They have had 
eight children, three of them born in Ala- 
meda County, and the others in Ventura, 
viz.: Sarah, who is now attending the Nor- 
mal School in Los Angeles; Agnes, Victor, 
Mary (who is also at the Normal School), 
Delia, Helen, Fred and Olive. They have a 
large stock ranch, of which Victor has 
charge, and Agnes is keeping house for him. 
On this ranch he is breeding horses, both 
Norman and Clydesdale stock. Mrs. Kelsey 
died September 24, 1884; they had been 
married twenty-three years, and the loss was 
most deeply felt by them all. Mr. Kelsey is 
a member of the I. O. O. F.. and also of the 
Masonic fraternity; in his political views he 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



625 



is a Republican. He was again married, to 
Mrs. Redwin, widow of the late Mr. Lewis 
Redwin, of Ventura. She is a native of Mis- 
souri. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey and several of 
the family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

JH^ON. L. M. WARDEN, a prominent 
resident of San Luis Obispo County, 
lias been a resident of California since 
July 6, 1850. He was born in 1825 in Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, at the town of Granville, 
and was the son of Gabriel Warden, a farmer 
who had ten sons and three daughters. The 
subject of this sketch, the eighth son, went 
with his brothers and sisters to a point near 
Redtield, Dallas County, Iowa, in 1844, as 
an Indian trader. Two brothers and one sis- 
ter still live in Ohio. He came to California 
during the early gold-mining period, being 
only sixty-two days in crossing the plains, 
coming by way of Fort Laramie and Salt 
Lake to Ilangtown. After mining for three 
months he engaged in the livery business 
and staging from Auburn. Placer County, to 
Yankee Jim's and Michigan Bluffs, same 
county. Three years afterward he went to 
Napa County, engaging in the live-stock 
trade; then he removed to Mendocino County, 
where he was Sheriff from 1SG0 to 1868; and 
then he came to San Luis Obispo County, 
entering the sheep business on the Atasca 
dero ranch, and leased eight leagues of land 
from General Murphy for four years. Then 
he purchased 3,100 acre- on Loe 0808 ranch 
and stocked it with 12,000 head of sheep in 
the fall of 1871. The season of I $76 was 
Iry that he quil the business, with only 
600 sheep. Since that time he has sold I 

Tlii- ranch is known as Captain 
Wilson's, where ex-Governor Pacheco was 



brought up. Mr. Warden, a Democrat, was 
a member of the Board of Supervisors from 
1S74 to 1878. and of the State Legislature 
for 1878-'79. 

He has a wife, two sons and three daugh- 
ters: one son and both the daughters are 
married. Frankie E. is the wife of Dr. II. 
M. Fisk of Chicago; May is the wife of W. 
II. Fisk, of Portland, Oregon: William II. 
is on the ranch: and Oscar L. is a resident 
of Portland, Oregon. 



->•+ m,-H'-^1 



H W. MURPHY, of San Luis Obispo, 
Avas born in Missouri, September 11, 
t ® 1840, the son of Martin and Mary 
(Bulger) Murphy, who were both natives of 
County Wexford, Ireland. When Patrick 
was a mere child, the family removed to Cal- 
ifornia, settling in the beautiful Santa Clara 
Valley. Here he grew to manhood, attend- 
ing school and graduating at Santa Clara 
College. He then moved to San Luis Obispo 
to look after the large estates of his father, 
which amounted to 70,000 acres, and in- 
cluding the beautiful and far famed Santa 
Margarita Rancho. Later Mr. Murphy came 
into possession of this vast property, and on 
the ranch mentioned, twelve miles distant 
from San Luis Obispo, he makes his residence. 
Politically he is a Democrat, and is promi- 
in both political and business enterprises 
of any magnitude. He ha- three times been 
Senator, and once an Assemblyman. 
Mr. Murphy wa- one of the originators of 
the San Luis Obispo Water Company, and 
also one of the incorporators of the San Luis 
Obispo Bank. He bears the title of General, 
having been appointed l>y Governor Irwin 
Brigadier General of the Second Brigade of 
N ational Guard of California. The homo 
neral Murphy. Santa Margarita Itancho, 



626 



SANTA BABBARA, SAN LUIS OBISBO 



is pretty enough to be one huge park; no 
tourist to San Luis Obispo ever fails to visit 
this lovely spot. Its owner devotes most of 
the land to cattle-grazing, in which business 
he has been eminently successful. 

He was married February 23, 1870, to 
Miss Mary Kate O'Brien, daughter of Dr. 
P. M. O'Brien, of San Francisco, who died 
in Santa Clara Valley in 1875. 

E. WHITNEY, one of the old Ver- 
mont stage-drivers at Santa Barbara, 
a has been a resident there abeut six 
years. At one time he had charge of the 
Truck Company of that city, whose business 
he sold to George Walker. Mr. Whitney 
was born in Chautauqua County, New York, 
in 1836, a son of Ira. Whitney. His father, 
a native of Vermont, now resides at Carpen- 
teria, and is .eighty-one years old. His 
mother, a native of Cattaraugus County, New 
York, died when twenty- four years of age, at 
Silver Creek, Chautauqua County, New 
York. Mr. Whitney married Hattie Ferry, 
a native of Ohio, and they are living at the 
corner of Ortega and Canal streets. Polit- 
ically, he is a Democrat. He has a brother 
living at Battle Creek, Michigan. 

WILLIAM E. BORLAND, a contractor 
and builder at San Luis Obispo, is 
one of the old pioneers of this county 
who rounded Cape Horn in 1849. He was 
born in the city of Washington, in July, 
1828, and when fourteen years of age he 
commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, 
which he has ever since followed. In 1849, 
through the efforts of a prominent steamship 
officer, he shipped aboard the four-masted 




steamship Chesapeake, and August 8 of that 
year steamed out of New York harbor for 
California, and arrived at San Luis Obispo 
June 14 following. In those days men were 
paid double wages for their work; and Mr. 
Borland, working at his trade, made money. 
For eighteen months he lived in San Luis 
Obispo, and then worked in San Francisco six 
months: but in the latter place he was un- 
successful and was glad to get back again to 
San Luis Obispo, where he has ever since 
prospered. 

He was married in 1857, to Josefa Avila, 
a daughter of Don Miguel Avila, and they 
reside on a part of the Avila estate between 
San Luis Obispo and Port Harford. Mr. 
Borland has held prominent public offices 
and taken part in all the interesting, and at 
times exciting, proceedings that form a con- 
spicuous part of the history of this county. 
He was under Sheriff for seven years under 
Francisco Castro; was also County Judge for 
a year and a half, under appointment from 
Governor John G. Downey. 

— < »~*§*^^>f*'~~ 

fOHN C. KAYS, .a dry-goods merchant 
at Santa Barbara, first came to Cali- 
fornia as early as 1842, which was two 
years before Fremont's first visit to this 
country. He was born in Ireland, at the 
same place where ex-Governor Downy was 
born, and came to America in 1833, landing 
at New York. In the fall of 1842 he came 
on to California and entered the dry-goods 
trade in Los Angeles, which he followed un- 
til 1848, being the only merchant of the 
kind there with the exception of two others 
at the beginning of his career at that place. 
But during the Mexican war he served in the 
army, in Texas and Mexico. In company 
with about 500 other volunteers, he was 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



627 



taken prisoner at Santa Fe; and afterward he 
was sent out from that point to obtain pro- 
visions. Finally he was one of the number 
who marched victoriously into the city of 
Mexico. In 1849 he moved to Santa Bar- 
bara, since which time he has been engaged 
mostly in the dry-goods trade, his business 
amounting at times to several thousand dol- 
lars a day. Thus he amassed a considerable 
fortune, ownino- at one time three nice 
ranches; but he lost them in real-estate 
speculations. For a time he was agent for 
the Wells-Fargo Express Company. He has 
never been willing to accept office. 

In 1847 he married Josefa, a daughter of 
Captain Burke, an American, while her 
mother was from one of the old Spanish fam- 
ilies of Monterey. Mr. Kays has a number 
of relatives in the Eastern States, and now 
has six sons and two daughters living. Two 
of his sons are in business in Los Angeles — 
James and Michael — the latter in Coulter's 
dry-goods house. 



tO DEBT J. HAZARD, a rancher near 
Cayucos, was born in Rhode Island, in 
182G, of English ancestry and one of 
three sons. lie was reared on a farm in 
Greenwich, Rhode Island, which was his 
home at intervals for twenty-two years. At 
the age of sixteen years he went to Naragan- 
Pier, one of the now famous watering 
places of America, and engaged in the ship- 
ping business with his uncle; and he was 
also in business Eora year in New York city. 
In 1850 became to California, and for the 
first four month- be was in San Francisco; 
then two years in Tuolumne County, farming, 
and then engaged in gold-hunting away off 
Australia, for eight months, with mod 
He next visited Peru and 



crossed the Andes Mountains to the Amazon 
River, for more wealth, but did not find it. 
Returning to Tuolumne County, he remained 
there until 1867, when he came to San Luis 
Obispo County. The first two years here he 
resided in Cambria, where he had a ranch of 
400 acres. In 1870 he came to Cayucos. 
For the past ten years he has occupied his 
present property of 430 acres, six miles from 
Cayucos and on Old Creek. On it are splen- 
did fruit orchards, to the care of which he 
devotes much of his time, as well as to dairy- 
ing. He has 18,000 grape-vines and 250 
fruit trees now in bearing. 

He was married in 1857, to Elizabeth Fry, 
of Strasburg, Germany, and they have five 
children, namely: Mary L., now Mrs. R. 
Swain; Thomas T., Robert Douglass, John 
and Elizabeth M. 



— — ►VTfMfgH-'- 

fEORGE STOE E, deceased, in his life- 
time a resident of San Luis Obispo 
^ County, came to California from Mexico, 
having served in the United States army 
during the Mexican war. He arrived in San 
Buenaventura in 1849, having lived some 
time previously in Los Angeles. He was 
employed by Isaac Calahan, who was at that 
time lessee of the Mission at San Buenaven- 
tura. For a time he was in charge of a store 
there which Mr. Calahan owned. They were 
two fast friends, whose friendship grew in 
strength and happiness with years. Mr. 

Calahan died in 1S51, and BOOJI afterward 

Mr. Stone moved to Santa Barbara, where he 
look from Captain Sparks, on shares, the 
Arroyo < I ran.!.' Rancho, with 500 head of 
cattle. He then returned to San Buenaven 
tura, where he married the widow of I 

nan, u hose maiden name \ ., \ aldoz and 

who still Biir\ ives. In 1 parki sold t he 



628 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



ranch to Captain Mallagh and gave Mr. Stone 
a lease of the Huasna ranch for five years, 
and $1,000 in coin if he would cancel his 
lease of the Arroyo Grande. Mr. Stone re- 
mained on the Huasna ranch until 1858, 
when he delivered it and the live-stock there- 
on to Captain Sparks, who was so highly 
pleased with his management and close at- 
tention to his business that he offered him 
every assistance he might reqiiire in any 
business he desired to engage in. In Octo- 
ber, 1858, he went to Mexico; but in 1860 
returned to California, broken in health and 
in purse. Soon he was appointed under 
Sheriff by Sheriff Dennis, and his execution 
of duty was such as to gain for him the full 
confidence and esteem of the entire com- 
munity. In 1862 he again took charge of the 
ranch on favorable terms, receiving 4,000 
head of cattle, large and small; but two years 
afterward the dry season put an end to his 
stock enterprise. He was shortly afterward 
appointed Internal Revenue Assessor of the 
county of San Luis Obispo, which office he 
held until the county was joined to the Santa 
Barbara district. Then until his death, 
which occurred April 7, 1882, he lived in 
San Luis Obispo County, in or near Cayucos. 
He had a wide circle of acquaintances, all of 
whom held him in high esteem. Of quick 
but generous impulses, ready to take up the 
gauntlet when thrown down to him, he was 
ever ready to lend a helping hand to a van- 
quished foe. He left six children. 



-£-* 



rMf«^'-»° 



fUAN V. AVILA, proprietor of the 
Avila Hotel at Avila Beach, is a son of 
Don Miguel Avila, and was born April 
28, 1845. That point has always been his 
home. The splendid Avila Rancho, con- 
sisting of 16,000 acres, has been subdivided 



and sold, — the most of it, —the subject of this 
sketch being the administrator of the estate. 
His hotel is a very popular resort, nine miles 
from the city of San Luis Obispo and di- 
rectly upon the beach of the broad blue 
ocean. He was married in September, 1889, 
to Miss Nuthall. 

f1lfi! 0SES T ' WELLS came t0 Centura 
fUffll bounty in 1869 ' and in 1&70 located 
^^r- at Saticoy, thus becoming one of the 
early settlers. He was born in Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, April 19, 1845. His father, 
Rev. Samuel T. Wells, a retired Presbyterian 
minister, is now residing at San Buena- 
ventura. The history of his life will be found 
in another place in this work. In 1860 Mr. 
Wells and his family removed to Oakland, 
California, where the subject of this sketch 
finished his education at the old Braton Col- 
lege, now the State University, at Berkeley. 
Before coming to Southern California he was 
variously employed: was freight clerk at Oak- 
land, four years; was pilot on the Oakland ferry 
for five years, during which time he became 
widelv acquainted with the people of Oakland 
and California in general; held the position of 
engineer in the mines at Virginia City for a 
time; then went to Leadville, prospected all 
over the country, acted as engineer a portion 
of the time, did general mining, and, having 
made a study of assaying, when a Boston 
syndicate was formed to locate mines, he and 
his friend, Mr. Fink, were employed by them 
to prospect, and were the first explorers of 
the old Ute reservation, where they dis- 
covered large fields of coal. 

As before stated, Mr. Wells located in 
Saticoy in 1870. He and his father pur- 
chased land at $15 per acre, and twenty acres, 
containing the Saticoy mineral springs, they 



AND VEN'lURA COUNTIES. 



C29 



bought for $100 per acre. His father bought 
600 acres at above price, 300 of which he 
s< Id to the railroad company for $150 per 
ac £, receiving a check for $45,000. Of the 
rertainine 300 acres Mr. Wells is the owner 
of 180. They first engaged in raising barley, 
corn and hogs, and are now making a spe- 
cialty of Lima beans. He also raises Jersey 
cattle and valuable horses, and devotes con- 
siderable ' time to poultry, ducks, geese, 
turkeys and chickens. They gave the ramie 
plant a test, but were unsuccessful. With 
like results they tried the castor-oil bean. 
Flax can be raised without irrigation, as is 
the other products of this ranch. Mr. Wells 
built a house, planted trees, and now has a 
nice home. His land extends to within one 
mile of the station. 

May 2, 1889, lie was married to Miss 
Annie Nicholl, a native of San Pablo, Contra 
Costa County, California, daughter of John 
Nicholl, a prominent land-owner and farmer 
of the Santa Clara Valley. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wells have an infant daughter. 

Mr. Wells is a life-long Republican, takes 
an interest in the affairs of the county, is 
intelligent and public-spirited, and is well 
spoken of by his fellow citizens. His wife 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

... , ig . 3n; . | i — «» 



fAMES PERCY, a gentleman who was 
thrown upon his own resources at an 
early age, who has participated in the 
exciting adventures of the hunter, who has 
experienced the changing fortunes of the 
miner, and who is now a well-to-do citizen of 
Saticoy, Ventura County, is deserving of 
mention in a work of this character. A sketch 
of his life will be found of interest, and it 
is as follows: 

Mr. Percy was born in Scotland, August 



16, 1850. He is one of a family of four sons, 
and his parents, John and Rebecca Percy, 
both English people, came to America and 
settled in New York the year following his 
birth. The father was a brick-layer and a 
contractor and builder. When the subject 
of this sketch was five years old, his father 
started to California, via Cape Horn, and 
died while en route. Young Percy was also 
deprived of a mother's care at an early age, 
her death occuring when he was twelve years 
old. He then made his home with Mr. Sells, 
in Iowa, for three years, after w r hich he 
started out in life for himself, and worked on 
a farm in Iowa until he was twenty-one. At 
that time he went to Wyoming and was em- 
ployed on a stock ranch one year. He then 
turned his attention to the exciting business 
of trapping beaver and hunting buffaloes. 
This he followed two years, being in partner- 
ship with Mr. Stephen Stone. They found a 
market for their game in Denver, and when 
the meat was not worth shipping, they hunted 
for the hides, selling them for from $1.50 to 
$3.00 each. During the two years they 6pent 
in hunting, they killed 1,300 buffaloes; and 
it was estimated that there were between 2,000 
and 3,000 men engaged in the business at 
that time, 1872 and 1873. Beavers were 
quite plenty on the South Platte from Greeley, 
Colorado, to Julesburg, same State; and they 
caught 150 during one season, and sold the 
hides for $1.50 to $5.00 each. 

Mr. Percy t.ext turned his attention to 
mining, in both Utah and Arizona, and was 
engaged in that business six years, sometimes 
making and sometimes losing money. lie 
has been in all the mining excitements of the 
coast, his principal interests being in quartz 
mines. In the fall of 1874 he was working on 
the McCracken mine, having had the first con- 
tract on that celebrated mine; and, while 
working, a ladder broke and lie fell fifty feet, 



630 



SANTA B ABB ABA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



which resulted in a hroken ankle and his be- 
ing laid np at San Francisco a year for repairs. 
Upon his recovery, he prospected in the 
Tombstone district, Arizona, and there located 
some good mines, among the rest the Burleigh 
mine, for which he was paid $30,000, being 
in partnership with his brother Hugh at this 
time. The parties to whom they sold the 
mine were afterward offered $100,000 for 
the same, and refused it. 

After selling the mine, Mr. Percy went 
East and, in 1881, was married to Miss Cora 
DeNice, a native of Iowa. He returned to 
Arizona with his bride, and engaged in the 
cattle business, in company with his brother 
Hugh. After continuing in that business 
six years, he sold out and came to Ventura 
County, California. He purchased seventy- 
live acres of land adjoining the town site of 
Saticoy, and is here engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He has twenty-five acres devoted 
to apricots, five to prunes, and ten to oranges, 
lemons, apples, and a variety of other fruits. 

Mr. Percy has three sons, and his brother, 
referred to in this sketch, also has three sons. 
Mr. Percy is a liepublican, and cast his first 
presidential vote for Mr. Harrison. Previous 
to this time he had lived in the Territories, 
and consequently had no opportunity to vote 
for President before. 

jp^ P. "WEBB is one of the . promising 
young citizens and ranchers of Sati- 
° coy, Ventura County. He came to 
California in 1879 from Memphis, Tennessee, 
where he was born March 25, 1856. His 
father, J. L. Webb, is a native of North 
Carolina, and was one of the first residents of 
Memphis. He was in the wholesale mercan- 
tile business, and was a dealer in cotton; was 
a man of liberal views, and a Democrat. 



The ancestors as far as known were residents 
of North Carolina. Mr. Webh's mother, 
Arina (Sheppard) Webb, was also born in 
the " Tar State." He is the youngest of- a 
family of eleven children, and was reared alrid 
educated in Memphis, completing his educa- 
tion at the East Tennessee University. He 
clerked for several prominent firms of his 
native town and at the time he started for the 
far West he had the position of agent and 
salesman of the Alabama Lime Association. 

Mr. Webb, after his arrival in California, 
spent eight years as a farmer at Carpenteria, 
and from there came to his present location, 
one of the most productive valleys in South- 
ern California. He is the owner of fifty 
acres of choice land, ten acres of which are 
in English walnuts and three acres are de- 
voted to apricots and prunes and a variety of 
other fruit. Mr. Webb has a nice home, 
surrounded with majestic shade and orna- 
mental trees and attractive grounds. One of 
his principal crops is Lima beans, the land 
being especially adapted for their production. 

Mr. Webb was married, in 1888, to Mrs. 
Franklin, widow of the late M. E. Franklin, 
who was a native of Mississippi. Mrs. Webb 
was born in Virginia. She has five children, 
Grace, Earnest, Bernard, Nellie and Bessie. 
Mrs. Webb is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Webb possesses those courte- 
ous and affable manners so characteristic of 
the Southern gentleman, and guests are wel- 
comed at their delightful home in a charming 
manner by both himself and Mrs. Webb. 

re » . si 
« »»-»»s*JwS*^*- 

fM. WHITE is a pioneer Californian 
and an early settler of Santa Paula, 
v ° Ventura County. He was born in 
Kentucky, February 6, 1842. His father, 
Obadiah White, was a native of Virginia, his 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



631 



remote ancestors being Irish. His mother, 
nee Eliza Jane Jet, was a daughter of William 
Jet, of Virginia. Mr. White's parents had 
eight children, only three of whom are living. 
He was the second child, and was reared in 
Kentucky until fifteen years of age, when 
ihe family removed to Missouri. From that 
State they came to California, in 1862. 
Since coming to the far West, Mr. White has 
been engaged in various occupations; was a 
farmer on the Ojai ; a miner at Virginia City, 
two years, for wages; mined for himself one 
season in Idaho, where he made $1,000; 
worked for wages in Placer County, Califor- 
nia, at $3 per day ; farmed in Sonoma County ; 
and in 1874 came to Ventura County. 
Eight years he was foreman on the Blanchard 
& Bradley ranch. Since then he has been 
buying and selling lots; is now the owner of 
five lots, three dwelling-houses and a black- 
smith shop, all of which are rented. 

He was married, in 1888, to Sarah Ellen 
Shessler, a native of Ohio. They are the 
parents of twin sons, Otto and Bert, born in 
Santa Paula, May 4, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. 
White are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. For over twenty-three years he has 
been affiliated with the I. 0. O. F. fraternity. 
Politically, he is a Democrat. 



-vt~tJ-< 



WOOLEVER is a pioneer of Califor- 
nia, having resided in the State con- 
,a tinuously for the last thirty years, 
lie was born in New York, February 24, 
1820, the son of Samuel Woolever, a native 
of Pennsylvania, one of that hardy race of well- 
to-do people, the Pennsylvania Dutch. His 
mother's maiden name was Eftiu Glaspie, a 
native of New Jersey, daughter of William 
Glaspie, a valiant soldier in the Continental 
army. They were of Scotch ancestry. 



At the age of nine years Mr. Woolever 
was cast upon his own resources; so that hard 
work interfered with his getting a liberal 
education, and his opportunities in that direc- 
tion were limited. In 1845 he removed to 
Illinois, and, after years of hard work he 
purchased eighty acres of unimproved land, 
on which he built a home and lived until 
1860, when he sold out and came to Califor- 
nia. He first lived in El Dorado two years, 
then removed to Yolo County, where he 
bought 160 acres of improved land. This he 
sold in 1864 and went to Gilroy, Santa Clara 
County, bought a house and lot and lived 
there seven years, doing some specnlatino- 
and other business. He sold that and pur- 
chased a ranch of fifty acres, three miles west 
of Santa Paula, on which he made many im- 
provements. Mrs. Woolever is entitled to 
the honor of planting with her own hands 
the large grove of eucalyptus trees, now about 
100 feet high, and many of the other fruit 
trees on the property. She says that her 
greatest regret in parting with the place was 
having to leave that fine grove. Mr. Wol- 
ever has bought property in Santa Paula, a 
very pleasant home with large yard and gar- 
den, where lie has retired from active busi- 
ness, and is living upon what he has saved 
in a life of frugal industry. His time is 
occupied in his garden and in the cultivation 
of the flowers and shrubs which beautify his 
home. 

In 1844 Mr. Woolever was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Maria Sovereign, a native of 
New York, and (laughter of Richard Sover- 
eign, of New Jersey. Of the nine children 
born to them, five are living. Those born in 
Illinois are: Samuel, in 1850; Izettus, 1852; 
and Mary J., 1858. Louisa was born in 
California, and is now at home with her 
parents. Politically, Mr. Woolever is a Re- 
publican. He has never sought or held 



032 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



office, but has often served as a member of 
school boards. Mrs. Woolever is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. She has the 
old family Bible which she brought with her 
and read on their long and tedious journey 
across the plains. She says when it was not 
in her lap it was under her feet, in the 
wagon, where she could easily get it. 



jBNER HAINES, a prominent rancher 
near Santa Paula, is one of Califor- 
^^ nia's pioneers, who came to the State 
in 1853. He was born in York County, 
Maine, October 10, 1823. His father, Sam- 
uel Haines, was also a native of that State, 
born in April, 1800. His grandfather, Sam- 
uel Haines, Sr., was also born there, before 
that portion of the Union became a State. 
The ancestors of the family came originally 
from England to Massachusetts. Abner's 
mother, whose name before marriage was Sil- 
via Woodsum, was also born in Maine, the 
daughter of Abner Woodsum, a native of 
that State and a participant in the early wars 
with the Indians. Mr. Haines, the eldest of 
six children, all living, began teaching school 
when a young man, but soon bought an in- 
terest in a saw- mill and worked in the lum- 
ber business and also at farming. On his 
arrival in California, in 1853, he engaged in 
mining in Indian Creek, the Middle Yuba, 
Forest City and Moore's Flat, with many ups 
and downs, finally leaving the mines with 
$900. As a sample of his luck it may be 
mentioned that one time he bought $300 
worth of potatoes, at ten cents a pound, and 
planted them; and when digging time ar- 
rived they were so cheap that he gave them 
away rather than to leave his work, where he 
was getting $100 a month. After leaving 
the mines he followed teaming for a time and 



then obtained a section of State land, on which 
he raised hay and live-stock. He sold his hay 
at Marysville, cut about 200 tons, receiv- 
ing about $10 a ton. Four and a half years 
afterward he sold out and took a Government 
claim in Sutter County, which was at that 
time in appearance a poverty-stricken cow 
pasture. Commencing in 1861 he improved 
it and raised grain there until 1867. Then 
he came to Santa Paula and purchased 150 
acres of land, to which he has since added 
fifty acres more. On this property he was 
also a pioneer, and has made it a beautiful 
home, characteristic of Southern California. 
When he arrived here there were probably 
not more than two houses between Ventura 
and Camulos in the whole Marine Valley. He 
paid $10 per acre for his land, and it is now 
worth $200 per acre. The second year he 
was on the place he planted his orange and 
lemon trees, which are now in bearing. The 
first year he raised wheat, but he is now 
raising Lima beans; last year (1889) on 100 
acres he raised 100 tons, which are worth 
five cents, but that is very high. Mr. Haines 
first voted for Stephen A. Douglas for Presi- 
dent, but since that time has been a Republi- 
can. He is a member of the Baptist Church. 
In 1864 he married Charlotte Goodwin, a 
native of Maine, born in 1833, and daughter 
of Governor Goodwin, of that State. They 
have had three children, of whom two are now 
living — Maud, born in Sutter County aud 
married to Samuel Henderson, and lives near 
her father; Edith, born in Santa Paula, is 
living at home. 



■»Q» ,|»A-i|i-jj-tg_fr-l t <|,^o. . 

G. SURDAM, the founder of the towns 

| of Nordhoff and Bardsdale, was born 

-^i\' 3 in Dutchess County, New York, Au- 

ust 11, 1835. His father, Lewis L. Sur- 




AND VENTURA CJUNTIE8. 



OJ:j 



dam, was a native of Connecticut. His 
ancestors came from Germany and had been 
residents of America for many years. Mr. 
Surdam's mother, Julia (Lockwood) Surdam, 
was born in Dutchess County, New York, the 
daughter of Hanson Lockwood, a native of 
Connecticut. His great-grandmother, Julia 
Williams, attained notoriety and fame during 
the Revolution by the daring deed of swim- 
ming her horse across the Hudson River to 
escape the Red Coats, with her little son, Mr- 
Surdam's grandfather, on her lap. The sub- 
ject of this sketch is one of a family of four 
children, two sons and two daughters, all now 
living. He received his education in Illinois, 
and was there until 1854, when he came to 
California, and has remained in this State 
ever since. For ten years he was engaged in 
mining, in all the mining regions of the 
State, and made and lost fortunes and expe- 
rienced all the vicissitudes and hardships of 
mining and pioneer life. In 1864 he came 
from San Francisco to Los Angeles, sick with 
bilious fever. Old Dr. Griffin sent him to 
the care of the Sisters of Charity, who nursed 
him, and to them and Dr. Griffin he owes 
Ids life. In 1865 he had charge of the 
mines on the Santa Catalina Islands, and had 
much to do in entertaining visitors to the 
islands and showing them points of interest. 
In 1866 Mr. Surdam came to San Buena- 
ventura, built a warehouse and handled gi-ain 
and oil for ten years. He sent the oil to 
San Francisco, which was used to preserve 
the timbers of the Palace Hotel. He pur- 
chased 1,700 acres of land and the town of 
Nordhoff was started. He built the hotel 
and gave twenty acres of land for public 
purposes, and it soon became a noted sanita- 
rium. He sold the whole tract in two years; 
and when he named the town after Mr. 
Nordhoff, the author, Mr. NordhofE wrote 
him a letter thanking him for the honor and 

40 



speaking in the highest terms of the climate 
and picturesque location of the beautiful new 
town. 

Bardsdale is located about one mile north 
of the railroad station at Fillmore. A num- 
ber of nice houses have already been built, 
surrounded with thrifty trees and shrubs, all 
supplied with a fine system of water works. 
In this beautiful valley Mr. Surdam now re- 
sides, and is the manager of the whole prop- 
erty, which is, as he terms it, his pet tract. 
The subject of this sketch has never married. 
He is a man of very generous impulses, — not 
so much after making and hoarding money 
as to help his fellow men. It may truthfully 
be said of him that he ha? done much to 
build up Ventura County. He has long been 
identified with its interests, has seen its day 
of small things, and has great faith in its 
future. 

Mr. Surdam is a Royal Arch Mason, and 
has been a stanch Republican all his life. He 
is a man well known and much respected 
throughout the county. 



t R. J. B. SHAW.— Perhaps none of the 
pioneers have attained a higher place in 
the affections of the citizens of Santa 
Barbara city and county than Dr. Shaw; and 
therefore a brief outline of his career becomes 
an essential part of this volume. 

James Barron Shaw was born in London, 
England, November 4, 1813, of a Scotch 
father, who was born in Invernesshire. and 
English mother, of London. He had unusual 
advantages of education and culture, both in 
England and Scotland, up to his sixteenth 
year, when it was deemed necessary for him 
to choose a profession, as was the custom in 
those days, the navy being his choice, but 
strongly opposed by his mother; the medical 



634 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



profession was selected. Instead of beginning 
his studies ia London as wished, he preferred 
Inverness, where lie had become acquainted 
with a Dr. Nicol, who consented to receive him 
as a pupil, and never has the Doctor regretted 
his choice. After nearly three years' study 
with Dr. USTicol he went home and entered 
University College, London, where he spent 
four years, attending the required lectures, 
demonstrations and hospital practice. Having 
completed the six years' i-tudy required by 
the Royal College of Surgeons of London, he 
found several months must transpire before 
he could present himself for examination, the 
college requiring the candidate to be fu'ly 
twenty-two years of age. Ascertaining that 
with his credentials of t-tudy and a year's resi- 
dence, with lectures, at the Glasgow Univer- 
sity, he could on examination obtain the 
degree of Doctor of Medicine, he went to 
Glasgow and in April, 1836, was successful. 
Returning to London, he became a Member of 
the Royal College of Surgeons in August, 1836. 

After receiving his diplomas, the Doctor 
went to Paris for the winter, to perfect himself 
in performing surgical operations, where sub- 
jects were so much cheaper than in London, 
attending lectures and the various hospitals 
in Paris. 

On returning home, and having sufficient 
means, he determined to take a voyage round 
the world, not yet being inclined to commence 
practice. He took other voyages, in one of 
which, in 1842, - being in Calcutta and finding 
surgeons were required for the two wars then 
being carried on by England, one in Afghan- 
istan, the other in China, — he applied for 
China, and obtained an assistant surgeoncy 
in an Indian regiment preparing to leave for 
China. He served with the regiment until 
the treaty of Nankin was signed. He re- 
turned to Calcutta in 1843 and embarked 
with another regiment to England. In 1844 



he returned to Hong Kong (via Madras and 
Calcutta), where he remained practicing his 
profession until 1849, when the world was 
electrified by the discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia. As soon as practicable he embarked 
upon a Swedish vessel and arrived in San 
Francisco July 3, 1849. In August he went 
to Sacramento in company with a number of 
his fellow passengers, where they organized, 
and proceeded to a point on the Mokelumne 
River. There they worked as gold- seekers in 
the usual manner, until it became apparent 
that not one of the party was adapted to such 
an occupation. The Doctor then proceeded 
to Dry Creek, Tuolomme County, where lie 
bought a log shanty — the best sort of build- 
ing that locality afforded — and recommenced 
the practice of his prnfession. The place was 
chosen on account of the variety of miners, 
there being a considerable number of Ameri- 
cans as well as several companies of the 
Spanish-speaking race, — Sonorians, Chilians, 
Mexicans and Californians, — with whose lan- 
guage the Doctor was quite familiar, he hav- 
ing resided in many Spanish countries The 
Americans became jealous of the Spaniards, 
who were more successful than themselves in 
taking out gold, and they determined to drive 
the foreigners away from their mines, giving 
only ten days' notice to clear out. This was 
literally carried into effect, not one of the 
Spanish race, except Californians, being left. 
The Americans soon repented of their injus- 
tice and came to the Doctor, asking him to 
use his influence to get them to return; which 
they positively refused to do. 

The winter of 1849-'50 is remembered as 
the most severe in the history of California 
since American occupation; and when it 
opened in all its severity Dr. Shaw determined 
to carry out an intention which he had formed 
in the early days after his arrival in this State, 
namely, to go to Mexico where he had friends 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



635 



and relatives residing. Securing passage on 
a vessel bound fur Mazatlan, tlie agent of the 
line introduced him, before embarking, to 
Don Pedro Carrillo, of Santa Barbara, who 
was a cultivated man, educated at Boston. 
Said he to the Doctor: "Surely, you will not 
go to Mexico without seeing Santa Barbara, 
where the most aristocratic families of Cali- 
fornia live!" and added that he could then 
easily go to Mexico if not satisfied with Santa 
Barbara. Thus persuaded, the Doctor with- 
drew his passage money from the Mexican- 
bound vessel, and took passage on the fast- 
sailing schooner Honolulu, commanded by 
Captain Mallagh, who had come with him on 
the same sailing vessel from China, and whom 
he had often attended professionally on his 
frequent trips from Bombay to Hong Kong, 
where the Doctor was stationed. The captain 
was about to sail his schooner from San Fran- 
cisco to San Diego on a trading expedition, 
and the Doctor thought this a good time to 
carry out the advice of his Spanish friends in 
Mexico. 

Starting December 18 and stopping at 
various points, he arrived at Santa Barbara 
January 6, 1850. He found only a small 
Spanish village, not at all preposessing; nor 
did he find the imposing •' aristocracy " he 
was led to expect; and, what was worse, he 
learned that he must return to San Fran- 
cisco if he wished to proceed to Mexico. Not 
finding any vessels leaving for Mexico, he 
remained in Santa Barbara in the practice of 
his profession. 

In May, 1852, he left Santa Barbara for 
San Francisco overland, and at last, July 5, 
started for Mazatlan, whence he went by way 
of San Bias to Tepic, and there met his 
fiit -iids Barron, Forbe6 & Co., bankers and 
merchants. After a visii of about four 
months he went to the city of Mexico in 
November, and six weeks later left again 



overland for Acapulco, his determination be- 
ing to return by Pacific mail steamer to San- 
Francisco. As the Pacilic mail steamer was 
overcrowded and would not take passengers, 
he was obliged to wait in Acapulco for the 
Vanderbilt steamer, Independent, which 
though crowded gave him accommodations. 
This vessel met with terrible misfortune. 
After having been wrecked on Margarita 
Island, she was burned and 135 lives were lost, 
about 400 being saved. Magdalena Bay lies 
between the island and the mainland. After 
going three days practically without food and 
water, some of the men crossed the island to 
the bay side, in search of relief, and there 
saw four ships at anchor, supposed to be 
whalers. Returning to camp, they reported 
their discovery, and the Captain organized a 
party to carry over to the opposite side of the 
island one of the boats which had been saved 
from the wreck, with the intention of going 
to the ships for assistance. About half way 
across they met a boat from one of the ships 
carrying a party going to the island to cut 
wood. On learning of the starving condition 
of the people wrecked, the officer of the 
whaling-boat proceeded to the camp, taking 
for the relief of the famished ladies of the 
t-hipwrecked party the two keg6 of water and 
some crackers, which a whaling-boat always 
has on board. The second officer, who was 
in charge of the boat, proved to be an ac- 
quaintance of the Doctor, having been under 
his professional care at Hong Kong, and he 
asked the officer for a sip of the water. " Not 
a drop, Doctor." replied the officer, " until the 
ladies are served." 

The officer, on returning to the ship, took 
the Doctor with him, where he found a berth. 
As soon as the news spread among the whal- 
ers, they manned all their boats and went to 
the island to rescue the party. Before uight 
all the ladies wore taken off and divided 



(i3G 



SANTA BARB ABA, SAN LUIS OBIS BO 



among the ships, and then came the men's 
turn. The captain of the wrecked steamer 
consulted the commanders of the whaling ves- 
sels as to the manner in which the people 
could be supported, and tried to charter one 
of their vessels, hut found the respective cap- 
tains all unwilling to break up their whaling 
voyages. 

Dr. Shaw then volunteered to go to La Paz 
to secure a vessel, and proceed on to Mazat- 
lan to procure assistance from the American 
or English consul. He went two or three 
miles away, secured horses and a guide, and 
made arrangements to start the next morning. 
About 8 p. m., however, he heard a voice 
calling out, " Doctor, where are you?" and 
answering learned that it was the purser 
who had come to tell him that the captain 
had been successful in chartering one of the 
whalers, on which he requested the Doctor 
to return and take passage. After everything 
was arranged on the ship, the Doctor went 
aboard, where he found that the vessel would 
be terribly crowded and provisions scarce. 
Knowing that it would take twenty -five days 
to reach San Francisco, he determined not to 
go, but made arrangements with the captain 
of his friend's vessel to take him to the Sand- 
wich Islands. After a pleasant voyage he 
arrived at Honolulu, and waited there for a 
vessel to take him to San Francisco. In 
Honolulu the Doctor was most hospitably re- 
ceived by General Miller, the Consul General 
of Her Britannic Majesty. 

He arrived again at Santa Barbara, in May 
of 1853, and took charge of Santa Cruz 
Island, belonging to his friends in Mexico, 
which he managed for sixteen years. This 
island, by the way, with an area of 54,000 
acres, was formerly a penal settlement of the 
Mexican government, who transported thither 
some desperate characters. The government 
placed a certain number of inferior cattle for 



their support. The prisoners made a raft, 
covered it with hides, pitched it with brea, 
and made their escape from the island, and 
landed abreast of Summerland. They set- 
tled at Santa Barbara and some of them be- 
came good citizens. 

On commencing operations on the island, 
Dr. Shaw purchased from Alphonso Thomp- 
son 200 ewes. The first shearing yielded 400 
pounds of very inferior woo 1 . In 1854, hav- 
ing heard of a band of sheep containing 1,000 
head just from the East overland, he went to 
Los Angeles and j mi chased them, and drove 
them to Santa Barbara, whence they were 
transported to the island by schooner. One 
of the chief difficulties which the Doctor 
found in working the island, was the dread 
the natives had of going there, supposing 
that it would be impossible ever to get away. 
Fortunately, however, he found three ship- 
wrecked sailors of the celebrated schooner on 
which Dana took his remarkable trip, a de- 
scription of which he published in his " Two 
Years Before the Mast." The sailors soon 
became useful u hands." 

Dr. Shaw purchased a piece of land 300 
feet square on the Santa Barbara beach as a 
corral, where he could keep the sheep when 
brought over until there were enough to 
drive or ship to San Francisco. These sheep 
were herded on land now covered by houses 
and gardens. To supply himself with a pure 
breed of rams, he bought 1,000 acres of land 
on Ortega ranch, now Summerland. He took 
this precaution to prevent the introduction 
of scab on the island, which had always been 
free from this disease. 

The Doctor was signally successful in the 
management of this great sheep industry, 
and, as before stated, conducted it for sixteen 
successive years. It was then found neces- 
sary by the other owners to sell, and he 
turned over to the purchasers 54,000 head of 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



C37 



sheep, and a large number of cattle and 
horses, the investors being a company of 
French and Germans. During the last year 
he managed the island, the gross proceeds 
were over §50,000. He was the first to send 
mutton sheep to the San Francisco market 
by steamer, and some choice ones brought 
there as high as $30 each, some dressing 
over 100 pounds, selling at thirty cents a 
pound. Some time before the island was 
sold Dr. Shaw bought over 22,000 acres of 
land on the ranchos of La Lagnna de San 
Francisco and Los Alamos, which he stocked 
with sheep from Santa Cruz Island. He, 
however, soon found out it was much more 
difficult to carry on a sheep-ranch on the 
mainland than on an island. In the first 
place, supplies of all kinds, more particularly 
lumber for buildings and corrals, were tre- 
mendously costly; and the wretched roads 
on which goods had to be hauled for seventy- 
two miles from SantaBarbara, which were 
excessively tedious. A load of nevermore than 
2,000 pounds took from the time of leaving 
Santa Barbara on Monday until Saturday 
afternoon for the round trip, costing §30 for 
freight and provisions for the men and horses! 
and then if an accident occurred to the wag- 
ons no blacksmith was nearer than Santa 
Barbara! 

The country was full of wild animals, bears, 
pumas, wild-cats and coyotes, which destroyed 
the sheep in large numbers. At the end of 
nearly three years he found he had fewer than 
he put in. Shepherds were most difficult to 
procure, and were most independent and un- 
reliable, coining perhaps in the evening say- 
ing, " I am going to quit and want my 
wages," and there was nothing to do but 
yield. lie had no neighbors with sheep for 
some considerable time. At last scab made 
its appearance in sonic way or other, which 
horrified the Doctor, who never had anything 



of the kind to manage previously or on the 
island. This determined him, even after his 
enormous outlay in building corrals, shearing 
sheds, etc., to gradually sell off his flocks and 
put the proceeds into graded short-horn or 
Durham cattle, selecting imported bulls 
famous for beef and dairy purposes. The 
Doctor has sold about 15,000 acres at various 
times of his large rancho, retaining, however, 
nearly 6,000 acres, which he intends stiil to 
reduce, being convinced a smaller quantity 
can be better attended to and will result in 
larger profits upon the same capital invested. 

The Doctor was married in San Francisco, 
in 1861, to Miss Helen A. Green, a Londoner 
like himself, and has had four children, all 
sons, three of whom have died. His first 
and only son now relieves him almost entirely 
of the supervision of the ranch, where he 
principally resides with his wife and children. 

Of late years the Doctor has been a resi- 
dent of Santa Barbara city, though he gives 
considerable personal attention to his large 
ranch interests. He has entirely withdrawn 
from medical practice. He is a man of rare 
benevolence and nobleness of character, and 
in the community, of which he has long been 
an honored member, he commands a measure 
of esteem well earned by a life of integrity. 




I J. HOBSON is a young business man 
jf of Santa Paula, who makes no preten- 
sions to having a history worth 
writing; but, as ho has, by his business tact, 
made himself a factor in the growth and de- 
velopment of his town, he is deserving of 
mention in the history of the county; for 
history is a record of the present as well as 
the past. 

Mr. Ilobson was born one mile west of the 
business center of San Buenaventura, on Ven- 



638 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



tura avenue, January 10, 186B. His father, 
W. D. Hobson, was a business man of that 
town, — first as a farmer, and afterward exten- 
sively engagtd in pork and lard packing, with 
his sons; is now in business in San Francisco. 
Mr. Hobson's grandfather, William D. Hob- 
son, was born in America, of English ances- 
tors. His mother, nee I. J. Winemiller, was 
born in Ohio. He is the seventh of a family 
of ten children, and had a twin sister who 
died. Young Hobson attended school in 
Yentura, and finished his education at a busi- 
ness college in San Francisco. For a time he 
was engaged in farming, and for seven years 
worked in the packing business. He came 
to Santa Paula in January, 1887, and bought 
lard in quantities, which he subdivided and 
sold at a gain, and also did some business for 
others in the same direction. He has built 
twelve dwelling-houses, and owns a half in- 
terest in a fine brick block, two stories high, 
containing three stores, on the best street in 
Santa Paula. 

January 10, 1888, Mr. Hobson was united 
in marriage with Miss Olive Hink a native 
of Mendocino County, California, born April 
18, 1870. She is a daughter of Samuel Hink, 
a resident of that part of the State. Mr. 
Hobson has been a Republican all his life. 

-~**§»i«£*f«*-»- 

111 W - F - JOHNSON, Proprietor of the 
ft®? Petrolia Hotel, Santa Paula, Califor- 
W^- 9 nia, was born in Terre Haute, Indi- 
ana, April 22, 1853. His father, George W. 
Johnson, was born and reared in Indianapo- 
lis. While attending school, he spent three 
years of his life in the family of Henry Ward 
Beecher. For a long time he was employed 
on the Daily Sentinel, now a leading paper 
of Indianapolis. Mr. Johnson's grandfather, 
Collin P. Johnson, was a pioneer of Indian- 



apolis. He was a native of Winchester, West 
Virginia. Mr. Johnson's mother, nee Mary 
E. Kittlemen, was born in Indianapolis, and 
her father, James Kittlemen, was a pioneer 
there. Her grandfather was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war, and lived to be 104 
years old. 

The subject of this sketch was the oldest 
of a family of three children. He received 
his early education in Iowa, Kentucky and 
Oregon, completing his studies at Plymouth 
College, Oregon. The first work he did was 
to help Mr. Ben Hodely construct a tele- 
graph line. After that he was engaged for 
ten years in the hotel business. In 1883 
he purchased the Calistoga Hot Springs, to- 
gether with 148 acres of land known as the 
old Sam Brannan property, and conducted it 
a year a half, after which he sold it to Gov- 
ernor Stanford, who now owns it. In So- 
noma County, he bought 500 acres of land 
and for two years carried on general farmiug 
and stock-raising. On account of his wife's 
failing health, her physician ordered them 
South, and they traveled for nearly two years, 
seeking health for Mrs. Johnson, but without 
success; and finally located at Phoenix ; Ari- 
zona, on a farm of 640 rcres. There Mr. 
Johnson established the Calistoga breeding 
farm, importing and breeding fine stock of 
all kinds. After conducting this two years, 
he sold out and engaged in business in 
Phoenix, forming the firm of Hi Her & John- 
son, dealers in investments, bonds, warrants, 
etc. While in that business they purchased 
150 acres of land, joining the city of Phoenix, 
which city is now the capital of Arizona, and 
laid out the Hiller and Johnson addition. 
During the last year he spent in Phoenix, 
Mr. Johnson conducted the Lemon Hotel — ■ 
then the leading hotel of the Territory. 

March, 1, 1888, Mr. Johnson sold his in- 
terest to his partner, Mr. E. Hiller (now the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



G39 



cashier and manager of the Hartford Bank- 
ing Company of Phoenix), and came to Santa 
Paula. He purchased the lease of the old 
Union Hotel, and conducted the house suc- 
cessfully for ten months, when it caught fire 
and burned down. Three months later he 
bought the ground and commenced the erec- 
tion of the Petrolia Hotel, which he com- 
pleted and furnished in a very satisfactory 
manner. It is 50 x 110 feet, with two stories 
and a half and a basement, containing forty 
rooms, and having a central location on Main 
street. The house is lit with gas, does a good 
business, and is well managed. It is the 
regular eating-house for passengers on South 
Pacific trains, and it is the leading hotel of 
the place. 

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to 
Miss Sarah M. Booth, a daughter of Mr. 
James R. Booth. She was born in Oregon 
in 1857. Their union was blessed with two 
sons and one daughter, namely: Chester, 
born in Napa County, September 1, 1877; 
Carl, in the same place, February 2, 1879; 
and Pearl E., in Adin, Modoc County. Not- 
withstanding the efforts put forth to save the 
life of Mrs. Johnson, she died, of consump- 
tion, in 1884. In August, 1885, Mr. Johnson 
married Miss Mary F. Fornia, a native of 
Nebraska City, born in 1869. She is the 
daughter of Mr. Milton Fornia, a merchant 
of Leadville, Colorado. They have two inter- 
esting children: George N., born in Phoenix, 
May 30, 1887, and Eleanora Cecelia, born 
September 13, 1889, in Santa Paula. 

For the last five years Mr. Johnson has 
been a contractor for the Government posts 
in Southern California and Arizona. While 
in Arizona, Governor F. A. Tritle appointed 
him Secretary of the Territorial Fair Asso- 
ciation, at a salary of SI, 200 per year. He 
was a stockholder in the Valley Bank, and 
in the Hartford Bank. Mr. Johnson lias 



obtained every degree in the I. O. O. F., and 
has passed all its chairs. He is a K. of P , 
and a member of the military order of the 
Loyal League of the United States. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican, but is not radical. 
He is a prominent business man and a very 
obliging hotel-keeper. 



fC. DAVIS, one of the prominent busi- 
ness men of Santa Paula, was born in 
° the towu of Derby, Orange County, 
Vermont, May 12, 1857, the sou of Dudley 
M. Davis, a native of Canada, who came to 
the United States in 1838, settling upon a 
farm in Vermont, where he brought up his 
family and still resides. He has been select- 
man of his town for many years. His grand- 
father, Enoch Davis, was a Canadian, and 
lived to be ninety-four years of age. Mr. 
Davis's mother (name before marriage Lydia 
Blake) was born in Canada, a daughter of 
Rev. Isaac Blake, a Methodist minister, who 
was also a native of the Dominion. His 
grandfather was Daniel Blake, and the Blake 
family trace their ancestry back to the Nor- 
mans of England, and their forefathers have 
been of more or less historical note. Mr. 
Davis has an uncle, Isaac Elder Blake, now 
living in Denver, Colorado, who made a vast 
fortune in the oil regions in Pennsylvania, 
but lost it all in speculation; yet he has re- 
gained another fortune and is immensely 
rich. He is a fine musician and organist; 
has donated to the Methodist Church a mat:- 
nifieent pipe organ, equal to six common or- 
gans combined, at a cost of $30,000, and he 
himself is the performer upon this instru- 
ment, lie is still Superintendent of the 
Continental Oil Company. His youthful 
resolution never to drink tea or coffee or any 
strong drink, he has faithfully kept. 



C40 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Mr. Davis, our subject, next to the young- 
est of four children, completed his school 
education at Derby Academy, Orleans County, 
"Vermont, at the age of sixteen years. He 
obtained his certificate and taught school in 
the winter seasons for seven terms. In 1879 
he visited the oil fields of Pennsylvania, 
where his father and uncle had made money, 
but decided to come to California, where his 
uncle had come two years previously, to in- 
troduce the shipping of oil on a car he had 
invented. On arriving in San Francisco his 
uncle met him at the station and offered him 
$100 per month to run the Sacramento station 
of the oil business, which position he declined 
because he did not feel competent. He final- 
ly went to the warehouse without his uncle's 
knowledge and told the keepers that he was 
a young man from the East wishing to learn 
the oil business. They permitted him to 
commence work, at $7.50 per week, and in 
two years he became one of the salesmen. 
During the first year in his new situation he 
and four others were each to receive $100 
per month if they sold 300 gallons each a 
day; but if less than that, $75 per month. 
At the end of the year it was found that his 
sales nearly equalled all four of the others, 
and he was given the position of superin- 
tendent and general manager of the business 
in San Francisco. 

In 1873 he came with his uncle to Santa 
Paula on a prospecting tour, and while here 
organized the Mission Transfer Company, for 
the purpose of transferring oil by pipe-lines 
and marketing it. Leasing the territory they 
obtained a royalty on the oil produced. He 
and his uncle held fifty -one shares of the 
stock, and two years ago sold out their entire 
interest; but Mr. Davis has revived his in- 
terest in the company, and has also stock in 
the Oil Company of California. He also has 
a large stock ranch and considerable real 



estate in Santa Paula. He is one of the own- 
ers of the Champion Livery Stable, is inter- 
ested in the driving park, being secretary of 
the association, which has eighteen or twenty 
fine blooded horses in training. He has a neat 
home in the town. He is a Master Mason, 
being now Senior Deacon of his lodge; is also 
an Odd Fellow; at San Francisco he was 
Vice-Grand of the lodge. In his political 
views he is a Pepublican, and as a business 
man he is one of Santa Paula's best citizens. 
He was married in 1884, to Miss Miriam 
Garrison, a native of San Francisco and 
daughter of Lewis P>. Garrison, of New York; 
she was born April 27, 1864, of Scotch an- 
cestry. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had two 
children; the first born, a daughter, died; and 
their son, Walter Elmer, was born April 1, 
1888. 

~*-" ' I " ^ «! '*%■-"» 

J. HUDSON, a rancher near Temple- 
ton, is one of the early pioneers of 
Q California, having come to this State 
in 1845, while it was Mexican Territory. 
His train, consisting of 100 men, was the 
first emigrant train that crossed the Sierra 
Nevada Mountains to California, and they 
had considerable trouble with the Indians. 
When they started their destination was Ore- 
gon, but learning that California had a better 
and more healthful climate they decided to 
locate here. In the spring of 1846 a Span- 
ish officer went to them and in a polite way 
gave them notice to leave the country. Fin- 
ally General Yallejo came to them, and after 
staying with them over night and being 
treated kindly, he told them he would like 
them to leave the country. They replied that 
they would not go yet, as they would have to 
make some preparations for the journey, and 
would need provisions. In the morning the 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



641 



immigrants got together and concluded they 
would stay and take the country. Twenty- 
one immigrants and six of Fremont's men 
took the town of Sonoma and General Val- 
lejo, and sent him to Sutter's Fort for safe 
keeping. They hoisted the Bear Flag over 
the town; it was made of a red flannel skirt, 
belonging to Miss Elliott of the party, and 
white cotton cloth, on which a bear was 
painted. Mr. Hudson's family remained in 
Sonoma six months, until peace was declared, 
and the Bear Flag party accepted the situ- 
ation with joy. 

In 1849 Mr. Hudson's people moved 
to Guilicos Ranch, and his father bought 
2,500 acres, where they were engaged in rais- 
ing wheat and stock. In 1854 they moved 
to Napa County, joining the town of Saint 
Helena, and bought 200 acres of laud, which 
he fenced. He planted an orchard and vine- 
yard, and built and ran a stock ranch until 
1866, when his father died and the estate was 
divided. In 1868 Mr. Henderson came to 
San Luis Obispo, and settled near the town. 
In 1879 he purchased 1,000 acres of land 
near Cayucos, and continued slock-raising. 
In 1875 he sold his stock and ranch, and re- 
moved to Lake County, but returned to San 
Luis Obispo and purchased 539 acres on the 
Paso Robles Ranch. Here he is engaged in 
stock-raising, and has built a tine house, 
where he intends to spend the evening of life. 
Mr. Hudson is interested in mines in Mex- 
ico, and in the State of Sonora is engaged in 
real-estate business. 

Mr. Hudson was born in Missouri, March 
3, 1837. His father, William Hudson, is a 
native of Virginia, born in 1810. His grand- 
father, William P. Hudson, came from Eng- 
land. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Smith, was a native of Missouri, and of 
Scotch- Irish descent. They have eight chil- 
dren, of whom live are living, all born in Cali- 



fornia. He was married in 1863, to Miss 
Sarah Bnrtnett, a native of Illinois, and 
daughter of Mr. Peter Burtnett, a native of 
the same State. They have had nine children, 
viz.: Willie, John, Harry, Tina, Emma, Ber- 
tha and Carrie. In his political views Mr. 
Hudson is a Democrat, but is liberal and in- 
dependent. He is well preserved for a 
pioneer of 1845, weighing 285 pounds. He 
is genial and cordial, and has plenty of busi- 
ness vim for years to come. 



►3«-»f< 



T. HOGG was born in the eastern part 
of Kentucky, May 20, 1849. His 
9 father, Herman Hogg, was a native of 
Virginia; was a Republican, and served as 
County Judge for ten years. Their ancestors 
were residents of the Old Dominion as far back 
as anything is known of them. Mr. Hogg's 
mother was nee Polly Roark, born in Ken- 
tucky, daughter of James Roark, a native of 
Tennessee. His parents had seven children; 
and by his father's subsequent marriage seven 
other children were born. The subject of 
this sketch received his education in the 
public schools of his native State. When he 
became of age, he went to Nebraska, bought 
eighty acres of land, built a house and im- 
proved the land, and was there engaged in 
farming for eight years. He then sold out 
to come to California, and arrived at Paso 
Robles in February, 1886. He purchased 
sixty-tive acres of land, located a mile and a 
half south of the town. On this property he 
has built a home and made other improve- 
ment, and has planted prunes, apricots, 
pears, peaches and cherries. Ho keeps a 
dairy of twenty-two cows, and furnishes the 
milk supply for Paso Robles. 

Mr. Hogg was married, in 1876, to Miss 
Fanny Grant, a native of Kentucky, and a 



642 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



daughter of W. 8. Grant, also a native of that 
State, and now a resident of Paso Robles. 
They are of Scotch ancestry. Two children 
have been the result of this union: Opal, born 
in Nebraska; and Bernice, at their present 
home. Mr. and Mrs. Hogg are members of 
the Christian Church. His political views 
are in harmony with the Republican party. 

— -HHmHK" — 

SD. FROST, one of the reliable young 
business men of El Paso de Robles, is 
a a native of Ohio, born September 21, 
1867, and is the son of William B. Frost, a 
native of the same State. Both he and his 
father were born in the same town. His 
grandfather, E. S. Frost, was a native of the 
State of New York. The ancestry of the 
family came to America from England before 
the Revolutionary war. Mr. Frost's father 
is still living and has the honor of having been 
a Union soldier in the great civil war, a volun- 
teer from the State of Ohio. He is now 
traveling agent for a San Francisco firm and 
resides at El Paso de Robles. Mr. Frost's 
mother's maiden name was Miss Flora J. 
McKenney. She was a native of Ohio and 
daughter of Almoren McKenney, a native of 
the State of New York. Grandfather Mc- 
Kenney came from Scotland and settled in 
New York in an early day. Mr. Frost's 
parents had five children, of whom he was 
the second son. He received his education, 
in part, in South Toledo, and in 1876 the 
family removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 
where he finished his education. In 1885 
he came to the Pacific coast. In San Fran- 
cisco he was appointed a station baggage 
master by the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany; spent eighteen months at Pajaro and 
was then transferred to San Miguel, in the 
same capacity, and completed his knowledge 



of telegraphy. March 4, 1889, he was sent 
to relieve the freight and passenger agent at 
El Paso de Robles, for three weeks. The 
agent's health not recovering, he resigned, 
and Mr. Frost was appointed to that position, 
which he now fills to the satisfaction of both 
the company and the business men of the 
town. Mr. Frost is a Protestant and a Re- 
publican. He is a Master Mason; and is a 
young man who enjoys the confidence and 
good will of all who hnow him. 



DWIN M. BENNETT, a prominent 
business man of El Paso de Robles, was 
born in Oakland, California, July 18, 
1860. His father, Nathaniel Bennett, is a 
native of Boston, Massachusetts. The Ben- 
netts have lived in New Bedford, that State, 
for four generations. Mr. Bennett's mother, 
nee Miss Teresa Feleury, was a native of 
Ireland, of Irish ancestry, and came to Amer- 
ica in 1845. In their family were four chil- 
dren, of whom our subject was the third child 
and the first son. He was reared in Santa 
Cruz County, and was educated partly in the 
public schools and partly by his father. When 
fourteen years of age he began to earn his 
own livelihood as a messenger boy, and then 
as a clerk in a store. In 1883 he came to 
clerk for P. H. Dunn for six years; and then, 
with his present partner he formed the firm 
of Bennett, Shackelford & LeBlauc, hardware 
merchants and plumbers, who have a fine 
stock and are doing a large business. All 
the members of the firm are young men of 
enterprise and business ability. Previously 
Mr. Bennett had been appointed agent for 
Wells, Fargo & Co.; and he is now also Post- 
master; and he is, besides, a partner in the 
firm of Earll & Bennett, insurance agents, 
who represent several of the leading insnr- 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



G43 



ance companies; and he is agent of the West- 
ern Union Telegraph Company. Two and a 
half miles out of town he has a ranch of 160 
acres, and he also has some lots in the city. 
In political matters he is a Republican, and 
in his social relations he is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity and of the order of the 
Eastern Star. 

July 10, 1889, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Nellie James, a native of El Paso 
de Robles, and a daughter of Hon. D. W. 
James, one of the owners and founders of the 
city. On June 6, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Ben- 
nett became the proud parents of a beautiful 
baby boy; so that Mr. Bennett " is one of the 
fortunate ones who has nearly all the good 
things of this life!" 

K*-,^i-;+-»f. 1 ^.-». 

|[OLONEL JAMES LIDDLE, a Paso 
Robles business man and rancher, was 
born in Geneseo, Genesee County, New 
York, May 20, 1854. His father, George Lid- 
die, was a native of England, and married Miss 
Martha Jane Webb, a native of Scotland. 
They came to the United States in 1840, set- 
tling in Genesee County, New York, where 
they reared thirteen children, of whom the 
Colonel was the youngest. He grew up to 
years of maturity in his native county, learn- 
ing the mechanics' and engineers' trade. In 
1865 he went to Montana and engaged with 
his brothers in raising live-stock for several 
years, and while there the la6t of a series of 
Indian raids was committed on the frontier 
in that Territory, in 1875-'76. The Ren- 
shaw Brothers, half-breed Indians, who were 
ferrying on the Big Horn River, became the 
leaders of a most atrocious massacre of the 
white settlers. Men, women and children 
were surprised and murdered, and their 
dwellings burned, and their bodies most 



fiendishly mutilated and left unburied. The 
Governor of Montana called for volunteers to 
protect the settlers and subdue the Indians. 
The citizens formed a company at once, com- 
prising ninety-nine men, who furnished their 
own horses and were armed by the Govern- 
ment. Mr. Liddle was elected Colonel of the 
company and had command of it during sev- 
eral skirmishes and two battles with the 
Indians. 

Organizing at Sterling, near Virginia City, 
they went in the direction of Yellowstone 
River, and at Black Mountain the Indians 
made a stand; twenty of them were left on 
the battle held, while the rest retreated 
through the hills by the river for twenty 
miles, with the whites in full pursuit. The 
next season they were found 200 strong or 
more at Clark's Fort, on the Yellowstone. 
They opened the fight, which lasted a whole 
day, the Americans losing ten men; and the 
Indians after sacrificing many of their num- 
ber withdrew and got away. Thus ended the 
Indian raids, as the savages were succecsfuHy 
subdued. They soon afterward assembled at 
Fort Benton, where a treaty was formed, 
which has never been broken. An appropri- 
ation was made by the State to pay the vol- 
unteers for this service, which was thankfully 
received. 

Colonel Liddle, after doing for his State a 
valuable service, returned to his stock ranch 
and continued there a number of years, in 
Montana and Nevada. Selling out, he came 
to Paso Robles, arriviug June 19, 1886. He 
purchased 800 acres of land three and a half 
miles west of town, on which he started the 
business of stock raising, and he still con- 
tinues in that occupation. The town of Paso 
Robles starting about the same time, lie spent 
a year in the real-estate business; then, with 
a partner — Mr. Short — he engaged in a 
wholesale and retail meat market. Soon 



644 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



afterward he met with a serious accident by 
falling down a trap-door way and breaking 
his leg. The firm then leased their shop and 
retired from business. Colonel Riddle is a 
Republican in his political views, and is yet 
unmarried. 



fB. LeBLANC, a leading young business 
man of El Paso de Robles, was born in 
Q San Joaquin County, California, April 
13, 1869. His father, Ferry LeBlanc, was a 
native of Louisiana, and the whole family on 
the paternal side had lived in that State since 
before the Revolution. His mother, nee Sally 
Hough, was born in Mississippi, the daughter 
R. N. Hough. Their family consisted of five 
children, four of whom are living. Mr. 
LeBlanc, the second child, was reared and 
educated in Fresno. His first business en- 
terprise — the management of a bakery — was 
in that town; but he was burned out and he 
arrived at his present place August 16, 1889, 
connecting himself with the firm of Bennett, 
Shackelford & LeBlanc, in the hardware busi- 
ness. He had learned the art of plumbing 
before coming here and had become pretty 
well acquainted with hardware. The com- 
pany now has a fine trade. Mr. LeBlanc is 
a young man of strict business habits and 
deserves the good reputation he enjoys. In 
his political views he is a Democrat. 

;R. SOMERSET ROBINSON.— In a 

very pleasant brick house on the hill- 
side overlooking the beautiful city of 
El Paso de Robles, dwells the subject of this 
sketch. He had the house built for himself, 
and the block on which it is built is beautiful, 
with a variety of trees, including vines and 



orange trees. In this way the Doctor is 
amusing himself and prolonging his life in 
this health-restoring resort. The well-spread 
table of the El Paso Robles Hotel is only a 
few hundred feet from his door, and there the 
Doctor three times a day supplies the wants 
of the " inner man." Dr. Robinson is a na- 
tive of Maryland, born March 6, 1836. His 
grandfather, Fendle Robinson, and his father, 
Thomas Robinson, were both natives of Mary- 
land. His great-grandfather, Ford Robinson, 
came to America from England to possess a 
grant given him by the King; the part of the 
country in which he settled is called Ford's 
Venture, a plantation near Fort Washington, 
Maryland. His mother was Harriet (Gray) 
Robinson, a native of Maryland, and of pure 
English ancestry. The Doctor had six 
brothers and sisters. His education was 
obtained at the Rugby Academy and at the 
University of Georgetown; he is a graduate 
of the Medical Department, of 1858. He 
then entered the navy, and was a medical 
officer in the navy with Commodore Farragut 
in the Gulf Squadron, and served in that 
capacity all through the great war. Since 
then he has been continuously in the service 
of the Government, traveling around the 
world attending to his duties as a Medical 
Examiner of the United States Navy. After 
having seen all parts of the world, where 
American ships sail, and learning of El Paso 
de Robles as a health resort, he came to this 
place. He was pleased with the locality and 
climate; to him it has been the true El Do- 
rado; he now enjoys better health than he has 
for twenty-five years. He still holds his of- 
ficial capacity in the United States Navv, and 
makes trips of inspection whenever he re- 
ceives orders to that effect. The Doctor has 
a beautiful home, and is a quiet retiring 
gentleman, not seeking anything that would 
appear like notoriety. He does not object 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



G45 



to be classed with the citizens of Southern 
California, and enjoys the wider relation of 
being a citizen of the United States. 

Politically, he is independent, and seldom 
votes. He says he has faith in the intelli- 
gence of the people, and gives politics but 
little attention. The Doctor is thoroughly 
and widely informed on all scientific subjects, 
and is a very cordial and entertaining gen- 
tleman. 



io«-.i^V-«-|t-tg^'-^»<-to. - 

R. S. J. CALL, a leading practicing 
physician of Paso Robles, was born in 
Missouri, February 18, 1858. His 
father, G. W. Call, is a native of Kentucky, 
his parents having come from Maryland and 
Virginia. His remote ancestors were Scotch- 
Irish. The Doctor's mother, Elizabeth (John- 
son) Call, is a native of Kentucky, and a 
daughter of Colonel Tom Johnson, who was 
one of the active participants in the late war. 
The subject of this sketcb is the youngest 
of a family of five sons and four daughters, 
who, with their parents, crossed the plains 
to Idaho in 1864, where they lived until 
1869. At that time they came to California 
and settled in Santa Clara County, where the 
Doctor received his common-school educa- 
tion. He then took a thorough course in the 
State Normal School, after which he went to 
San Luis Obispo and spent three years in the 
drug business. Next he read medicine with 
Dr. Hayes, and then went to the Cooper 
Medical College, San Francisco, where he 
graduated in 1884. In the spring of 1885 
he began practice on the coast of San Luis 
Obispo County. Soon afterward he was ap- 
pointed physician for the Alaska Commer- 
cial Company, and repaired to Alaska to treat 
and look after the health of the employes of 
the company; was at Sea nearly all the time, 



visiting the stations of the company. When 
he returned from this trip, he brought back 
many curios of the country, with which he 
has ornamented his office in El Paso de 
Robles. Soon after engaging in practice at 
this place, he received the appointment of 
physician to the Hot Springs, which he now 
fills. The Doctor is much pleased with the 
effects of the water on gout and skin diseases. 
A careful analysis of the water shows as val- 
uable medical properties as any in the world, 
and many instances of wonderful cures are 
noted. 

The Doctor's political views are Demo- 
cratic. He is a Master Mason, a member of 
the encampment of the I. O. O. F., and is on 
the way to the Knight-Templar degree. 

fOHN SCOTT, a prominent citizen of El 
Paso deRobles,was born in White County. 
Indiana, January 29, 1850, a son of 
Greenup and Elizabeth Scott. His father 
and his grandfather, John Scott, were both 
born in Kentucky. His mother was a native 
of Indiana. He was the youngest of three 
children, and when he was twelve years of 
age the family came to San Mateo County, 
California, and after three years came to San 
Luis Obisjo County, settling at Cambria. 
They purchased 200 acres of land, engaged 
in stock -farming, improving the place and 
continued there seventeen years. In 1882 
Mr. Scott, of this sketch, was elected Sheriff 
of the county of San Luis Obispo on the Re- 
publican ticket, and served two years, retir- 
ing from it with a clean record. He then re- 
moved to El Paso de Robles and engaged in 
a meat market for more than a year, with 
good success, when he sold out and rented 
his shop. His attention is now turned in 
the direction of raising fine horses, in which 



64G 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



he takes great delight and in which he is 
thoroughly posted. His favorite breeds are 
the Hambletonian and Almonts, standard 
trotters. He keeps them on his ranch, which 
he still retains. Mr. Scott is a member of 
both the Odd Fellows and the Masonic orders; 
in politics he is an unhesitating Republican, 
and in his disposition he is social, kind- 
hearted and liberal. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Cate 
Lane, a native of Tennessee, and they have a 
son and a daughter — Edwin G. and Maud — 
both born in this county. Mrs. Scott is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 



iUGENE A. STOWELL, one of the 
prominent business men of El Paso de 
Robles, was born in Charlestown, 
Massachusetts, July 12, 1848. His father, 
Alexander Stowell, his grandfather, Abel 
Stowell, and his great-grandfather, Abel 
Stowell, Sr., were all natives of Massachu- 
setts. His great-great-grandfather, Cornelius 
Stowell, settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, 
in 1727, a clock manufacturer, a pioneer in 
that business. His work was of the honest 
kind, made for durability, and many of his 
clocks are still in existence. Four successive 
generations, including Alexander Stowell, 
were clock- makers. The Sto wells also took 
a lively interest in the Revolution. See any 
standard history of the United States. Mr. 
Stowell's mother's maiden name was Esther 
M. Adams, and her ancestors were the first 
settlers of Caroline, Massachusetts. Of the 
ancestry on her mother's side, David Dodge 
was the first city clerk of Charlestown, that 
State. 

Mr. Stowell, one of two children — the 
other a sister who has since died — was edu- 
cated at the Charlestown High School and at 



the Norwich University. His desire for 
adventure and seeing the world induced him 
to go to sea, and for four years he sailed a 
part of the time before the mast and the rest 
as second mate. Then he spent eight years 
with the firm of Stowell & Co., his father 
being the senior member of the firm. He 
then removed to Nebraska and purchased a 
large farm and engaged in stock-raising for 
eight years, when he sold out, and in 1889 
came to Paso Robles. Becoming interested 
in the growth of the new and promising city, 
he purchased business lots and built a brick 
block, which is all occupied, and he has also 
built one of the finest residences in the 
county where he resides with his family. He 
is engaged in the real-estate business with 
A. R. Booth, Stowell & Booth as sole agents 
for Paso Robles property. 

Mr. Stowell is a member ot St. Andrews 
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, of the K. T. 
and of the I. O. O. F. For his wife he mar- 
ried Miss Helen L. Stephens, a daughter of 
Major C. W. Stephens, and they have a 
daughter named Alice Esther. Mrs. Stowell 
is a member of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church. 

It is interesting to state that Mr. Stowell 
still has in his possession the surveyor's in- 
struments used by his grandfather in survey- 
ing the border between the United States and 
Canada. 



§F. EASTIN, the county clerk of the 
county of Ventura, is one of the best 
^ known and well-informed men in the 
affairs of the county, having acted as a clerk 
from its organization to the present time. 
He was born November 8, 1845, in Lexing- 
ton, LaFayette County, Missouri. His father, 
James W. Eastin, was a Kentuckian, born 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



647 



February 7, 1821. The ancestors of the 
family came from Ireland early in the history 
of the country. He came to California August 
20, 1847, settling at Sutter's Fort. From 
there he went to Sonoma and engaged in the 
mercantile business, and in the time of the 
gold excitement became a miner. In 1850 
he settled on a farm in Santa Clara County, 
where he is still resident. Mr. Eastin's moth- 
er, nee Rebecca A. Pine, was born in Ten- 
nessee, August 19, 1811, and died March 15, 
1883. Of their five children three are living. 
A brother, John W. Eastin, was born in San 
Francisco October 9, 1848, the first child 
both of whose parents were "Americans" 
born in that city. 

The subject of this sketch graduated at the 
University of the Pacific, in Santa Clara 
County, in 1866, and followed farming with 
his father until 1868, when he was appointed 
Deputy County Clerk of that county under 
John B. Huston, serving two years under 
him, and a second term of two years under 
J. M. Littlefield. In May, 1873, when the 
county of Ventura was organized, he was re- 
quested by telegraph to come and take charge 
of the office of this county, aud everything in 
connection with the records of the county fell 
under his supervision, and the manner of 
keeping and preserving the records has de- 
volved upon him. During the years 1875-'76 
he served the county as Under-Sheriff, ap- 
pointed by John R. Stone. In 1883-'85 he 
practiced law and dealt in real-estate and lent 
money; and in 1886 he was again elected 
County Clerk, and in 1888 re-elected, and he 
now holds the office. He is a Democrat, and 
generally runs ahead of his ticket in the 
elections. He has aided in the establishment 
of the line library of Ventura and has been 
one of its trustees; and he has also held the 
office of Court Commissioner two years. He 
is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and 



commandery; has been Secretary of the blue 
lodge and Master several years, and since 
1876 has been Secretary of the Chapter. He 
is also a member of the A. O. U. W., and of 
the Catholic Church; his parents were mem- 
bers of the Christian Church. 

Mr. Eastin was married July 19, 1874, to 
Miss Fanny Sutton, who was born in Canada 
April 12, 1850, and they have three daugh- 
ters and two sons, all born in San Buenaven- 
tura, namely: Mary A., Fanny R., Ruth, 
Charles P. and George Russell. Charles is 
attending school at Los Angeles. 

♦°*-"'i ?»3 t * S"^i" »" 



^AULCHARLEBOIS, one of the leading 
^ business men of San Buenaventura, was 
born near Montreal, Canada, December 
8, 1848. His father, of the same name, was 
also born in Canada. His grandparents were 
brought when children by their parents from 
France, who settled as pioneers in the dense 
woods of the Dominion. Mr. Charlebois, one 
of five children — three sons and two daucrh- 
ters — was educated in the French language in 
the public schools of Canada and in the Eng- 
lish language by himself. When twelve years 
of age he went to Ogdensburg, New r York, 
entering a store as package boy, and remained 
there seven years in the employ of the house. 
In 1868 betook a trip to St. Louis, Missouri, 
and remained there a year and a naif; then he 
was at his native place until 1870, when he 
came to California, settling in Napa Valley- 
Next he went to San Francisco, where he was 
a clerk for a year in a dry-goods house. In 
the autumn of 1871 he came to San Buena- 
ventura and clerked for the firm of Einstein 
& Bernham for fourteen years. For them he 
had charge of their hardware and grocery de- 
partment, and they had an extensive trade. 
In 1885 he took charge of the business of 



648 



SANTA BARBARA, 8AN LUIS OBISPO 



Leach & Hunt in San Buenaventura for nine 
months, and he then bought them out and has 
since remained in business, dealing in hard- 
ware, tinware, stoves and farm implements, 
on the corner of Main aud California streets, 
in the business center; of course he enjoys an 
enviable trade. In 1886 he was elected a 
trustee of the city, and by the trustees elected 
chairman of the board, a position equivalent 
to that of mayor in a city. He was re-elected 
to the same position in 1888. In the fall of 
1889 he was elected County Treasurer on the 
Democratic ticket, being only one of the two 
Democrats elected that season; lie ran ahead 
of his ticket about 300 votes. He has passed 
all the chairs in the I. O. O. F., and has been 
District Deputy for the order four years. 
Religiously, he was brought up a Catholic; 
his wife and children are Presbyterians. The 
life of Mr. Charlebois strikingly illustrates 
the rise of a chore buy to a position of af- 
fluence and honor, and it seems that he has 
many years yet to live to enjoy the fruits of 
early industry, enterprise and good judgment. 
He was united in marriao-e in 1874 with 
Miss Agnes Ayres, a daughter of Robert 
Ayres, who is a pioneer of Ventura County. 
She is a native of the State of Illinois, 
and was only one year old when she was 
brought across the plains to California in 
1858, and was brought up in Petaluma, So- 
oma County; and she came with her parents 
to Ventura County in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. 
Charlebois have an interesting family of 
girls, all natives of San Buenaventura, namely: 
B.anche, Celima, Emma and Florence. 



fk.EPBURN & TERRY, managers of the 
fine hotel built by L. J. Rose, of Los 
Angeles, in San Buenaventura. Mr. 
Terry was born in Massachusetts in 1850, 



and came to California in 1875, since which 
time he has been engaged in hotel -keeping. 
He first had the Langham House, one of the 
most aristocratic hotels on the Pacific coast. 
With his partner he afterward had charge of 
the Garvanza Park Hotel in Los Angeles 
County. G. M. Hepburn was born in New 
York city in 1849, and has been in California 
about fifteen years, and all this time in the 
present partnership. The Rose Hotel is a 
very imposing and beautiful four-story struct- 
ure, and an ornament to the town as well as 
a credit to its owner. It has seventy-five 
rooms for guests, elegantly finished and fur- 
nished, with costly mirrors, silverware and 
rich furniture. For its size it is indeed the 
most expensively furnished house in Southern 
California, and second to none in America. 
Messrs. Hepburn & Terry are men of ex- 
perience and ability, who understand well 
their business, and the Rose Hotel is destined 
to have a still wider reputation. 

*°*~'"*fe"' i* * S ■ iH a*"-*° t 



TEPHEN D. BALLOU, a well-known 
citizen of San Luis Obispo and at pres- 
ent the light-house keeper at Port Har- 
ford, came to California in 1865. He was 
born at Middleport, Niagara County, New 
York, in 1845, and at the age of sixteen 
years he volunteered to defend the flag of our 
Union, joining Company D of the Forty- 
ninth New York infantry, which was at- 
tached to the Army of the Potomac, and he 
served four years in that department, partici- 
pating in the battles of Centerville, Virginia, 
Lee's Mills, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Savage 
Station, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, 
Sharpsburg, Antietam, South Mountain, 
Fredericksburg Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, 
the first battle of the Wilderness under Gen- 
eral Grant at Spottsylvania, later at Bowling 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



G40 



Green, Cold Harbor and then went into 
camp in the front of Petersburg. In July, 
1863, his brigade was summoned to Wash- 
ington, where they fought General Early in 
the streets of the National Capitol, and later 
in the Shenandoah Valley, and on the 19th 
of October at Cedar Creek; it was here that 
General Sheridan made his famous ride. 
Succeeding in this expedition his regiment, 
with others, took their position in the front 
of Petersburg, where thev fortified them- 
selves and remained until the following win 
ter, and in April, 1865, a general advance 
was made on the city, and Lee evacuated. 
Mr. Ballon witnessed the fall of Richmond 
and the surrender of Lee, and was mustered 
out of the service in July, 1865. 

During his service in the army, Mr. Bal- 
lou was wounded in the left leg, at the bat- 
tle of Lee's Mills, in 1862, aud also was 
struck in the face with a piece of shell at 
Malvern Hill, from the result of which wound 
he has never recovered. 

Mr. Ballou then made his way to Califor- 
nia, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and 
spent some time in mining in the mountains 
of Nevada, aud later spent one year on 
the United States Geological Survey. In 
1868 he returned to California, stopping in 
San Luis Obispo County a short time, and 
then located in Monterey County, where he 
engaged in farming until 1874. He then 
opened one of the first stores in Lompoc, 
in San Luis Obispo County. After a two 
years' visit to Arizona he entered into mer- 
chandising and farming on an extensive 
bcale in Fresno County, but since 1874 he 
has been a resident of San Luis Obispo 
County. lie is a popular citizen and a genial 
companion. He is a Sir Knight of Com- 
mander)* No. 27, and an influential member 
of Fred Steele Post, G. A. R., at San Luis 
Obispo. 



He has recently received the appointment 
of light-house keeper at Port Harford, and 
the position certainly could not have been 
bestowed upon a more worthy citizen and ex- 
soldier. Mr. Ballou came from a well-known 
family in America, noted for their sterling 
qualities, and is only a generation or two 
from the immediate family of General Gar- 
field, whose mother was a Ballou. Stephen 
Ballou was married at Santa Cruz, California, 
in 1871, to Miss Mary, daughter of J. D. 
Marshall, and they have one daughter. 



nOLONEL WILLIAM WELLS HOL- 
LISTER, deceased. — Among the Amer- 
ican settlers of Southern California, 
from the early pioneer days to the time of 
his death, perhaps there was none other so 
well known and prominent, and so univer- 
sally respected, as was W. W. Hollister. He 
possessed in a high, degree the qualities of 
the true pioneer and civilizer, with the ability 
to grasp the situation in a new country, and 
the strength of mind and character to turn 
his abilities to account. So interwoven is his 
name with the history of this region that 
something more than the mention of him in 
a historical capacity becomes essential, and a 
brief outline sketch of some of the salient 
points in his career is given in this connec- 
tion. 

He was the second son of John and Phi- 
lena (Hubbard) Hollister, and was born iu 
Licking County, Ohio, January 12, 181S. 
Bis father had settled in that county in 1802, 
when it was a wild, unsettled region, and 
took an active part in its early development. 
Being a man of unusual intellectual power, 
splendid physique and commanding presence, 
lie was aii important figure in that portion of 
Ohio. There the II ol listers intermarried 



41 



000 



UANTA BARBARA, BAN LUIS OBISPO 



with the Welles family, which embraced 
among its members Gideon Welles, the well- 
known member of Lincoln's cabinet, a near 
relative of the subject of this sketch, and 
the one in whose honor he was given his 
middle name. 

W. W. Hollister, with whose name this 
sketch commences, spent his early boyhood 
days amid the scenes and surroundings 
which usually attended the clearing up of a 
new district in Ohio, and after having re- 
ceived such educational advantages as the 
vicinity afforded at that time, he was s-.nt to 
Kenyon College to complete his schooling. 
There he applied himself so diligently to his 
studies that he was attacked with inflamma- 
tion of the eyes, which caused his retirement 
from college without having completed the 
course. The death of bis father had left the 
farm without a head, and to this position the 
subject succeeded. The place consisted of a 
tract of 1,000 acres, bnt so successful was 
his management that the area was soon 
doubled, this being an example in early life 
of the splendid business qualifications of W. 
W. Hollister, afterward so well displayed in 
California. He also engaged in merchandis- 
ing, and, in connection with farming, carried 
it on with varying success 

The prominence which California had ob- 
tained by reason of the discovery of gold 
naturally attracted his attention to that far- 
away land, and from the information gleaned 
from the many reports received, he felt that 
there was a favorable opportunity there for 
well-directed effort, and in 1852 set out over- 
land for the Golden State, reaching San Jose" 
on the 3d of October. A glance over the 
country satisfied him that there was a good 
opening in the s-heep business. 

In pursuance of the plan formed, he went 
back to Ohio, and in the spring of 1853 
started again for California with a company 



of fifty men and driving 6,000 graded sheep. 
Such an enterprise, driving a body of such sheep 
across sandy plains, often destitute of water 
and grass, and often met by tribes of hostile 
Indians, seemed desperate, but the promise 
of the future, in case of success, seemed to 
justify the attempt. He was accompanied 
by his brother, J. H. Hollister, of San Luis 
Obispo, and his sister, Mrs. S. A. Brown. 
There were numerous obstacles to contend 
with, but the knowledge of the country ob- 
tained on his previous trip enabled him to 
overcome them successfully, despite of many 
predictions of disaster by others. The route 
lay from St Joseph to Salt Lake, thence to 
San Bernardino, by the old Mormon trail. 
When he begun the descent into California, 
at San Bernardino, less than a fourth of the 
sheep had survived the hardships of the trip, 
and the remnant, wending their weary way 
along the cactus hills and plains, gave little 
promise of the future. The grass, which 
was growing fresh and green at Los Angeles 
soon restored strength to the animals, which 
reached San Juan, Monterey County, not 
only without further loss, but with the addi- 
tiun of 1,000 lambs born on the way. It 
will be seen that the enterprise required 
nearly a year, and that the long drive in- 
volved the necessity of arriving at the time 
that grass should be growing: hence the 
choice of the southern route, which would 
admit of crossing the Sierra Nevada in the 
winter season. 

At San Juan he became associated with 
Flint, Bixby & Co. The first land purchased 
was thatof the famous San Jnsto ranch. Other 
purchases soon followed, until the firm be- 
came perhaps the largest land-holders on the 
Pacific coast, holding at one time so much 
land as to admit of their offering the right 
of way to a railroad for eighty miles! 

Although a large land-holder, Colonel 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



051 



Ilollister was the pioneer in breaking up the 
lar^e holdings to facilitate settlement. The 
San Jnsto ranch was subdivided and sold to 
a colony of settlers for some $25,000 less 
than was offered by a speculator. The col- 
ony of Lompoc was also formed through his 
influence and liberality. When a hard sea- 
son reduced the colonists to a condition of 
embarrassment, the Colonel came forward and 
relieved them, by throwing off principal and 
interest to the extent of some $25,000, thus 
enabling them to tide over the hard times. 

Colonel Hollister was married in San 
Francisco, June 18, 1862, to Miss Annie, 
daughter of Samuel L. and Jane L. James, 
the ceremony being performed by Thomas 
Starr King. To them were born five 
children. 

Soon after the sale of the San Jnsto ranch, 
Colonel Hollister made his home in Santa 
Barbara, to which place, until the time of 
his death, he gave most of his time and at- 
tention, having expended nearly $500,000 
in and around the city. Every commend- 
able enterprise had the benefit of his purse 
and judgment. The Arlington House was 
raised principally through his enterprise. 
The Santa Barbara College was also greatly 
indebted to him, as was also the Odd Fellows' 
Building and Odd Fellows' Free Library, 
now merged into the public libary. On 
the occasion of dedicating the library to 
public use, the Rev. Dr. Hough, perhaps 
the most eloquent speaker that ever made 
Santa Barbara his home, made some very 
felicitous remarks which deserve to be pre- 
served in a form more substantial than that 
of a newspaper. 

(Santa Barbara Press, September 17, 1875.) 

"Ladies and Gentlemen : I have the honor 
of presenting to your acquaintance this por- 
trait of Colonel Hollister (here the veil was 
removed). If ever I was called upon to per- 



form what our Catholic friends call a work 
of supererogation, it is in being asked to in- 
troduce Colonel Ilollister to the people of 
Santa Barbara. There is not a Spanish 
inuehacho in our streets; there is not a sheep- 
herder between this place and Point Con- 
cepcion who would not instantly recognize in 
that picture the representative man of Cali- 
fornia, the man who holds the plow or the 
pen with equal facility, the man who is 
equally at home in planting an almond or- 
chard at Dos Pueblos, managing a rancho at 
San Julian, assisting to found a colony at 
Lompoc, or aiding to rear an Odd Fellows 
Hall and public library at Santa Barbara 
* * * 1 have entertained the idea that 
in the early days of the order there occurred, 
somehow, a mistake in the name, and that it 
was intended they should be known to the 
world not as the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, but as the Independent Order of 
Good Fellows. I do not know whether 
Colonel Ilollister is an Odd Fellow or not. I 
know that he has sometimes been named, quite 
against his own taste, a " Pastoral Prince," 
but I am sure that neither he nor you will 
quarrel with me, if 1 combine the two, after 
the fashion that suits me best, and call him 
the Prince of Good Fellows. 

"Colonel Hollister's home place is called 
Glen Anne, in honor of his wife, and con- 
tains 2,750 acres of land composed of plain, 
rolling hills, long sunny slopes, and secluded, 
sheltered valleys. In one of these, which, 
though named a glen, is elevated enough to 
overlook the sea for a great distance, he has 
built an extensive cottage some 60 x 100 feet, 
with wide verandas overlooking a plantation 
of 2,000 or more orange and lemon trees in 
bearing. On this farm he has 30,000 almond 
trees, 1,200 oranges, 1,000 lemons, 500 limes, 
350 plums, 200 peaches, besides other fruits, 
foreign and domestic variety. Rpade wind- 



652 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



ing under great oaks, around rolling hills, 
across rustic bridges, over deep glens, now 
coining in view of a farm -house for his work- 
men, or a fanciful barn for his stock, showing 
here a glimpse of the sparkling sea, now a 
field of grain, and now portions of his 
orchard, are among the attractions of the place. 

'' In company with T. B. Dibblee he is the 
owner of the San Julian Rancho, situated in 
the western part of Santa Barbara County, 
which is as fine a piece of property as a 
prince might wish to own. It is composed 
of the ranches San Julian, Salsipuedes, Es- 
pada, Santa Anita. Gaviota, and Las Cruces, 
containing in all about 100,000 acres of land 
classed as follows: valley, 17,000; rolling 
hills, 50,000, most of which can be cultivated; 
strictly pasturage, 35,000. It carries from 
50,000 to 75,000 head of sheep and 500 cattle. 
The sheep are pure merino, and the cattle 
thorouhbred. The annual sales are from 
$125,000 to $150,000, the expenses being 
from $25,000 to $30,000. The Gaviota 
Wharf is part ot the property, though much 
produce is shipped from the Santa Ynez 
Valley by this wharf. It will be seen that 
the property pays an interest on at least $1,- 
000.000. It is the intention of the pro- 
prietors to subdivide and sell it when it shall 
become worth more for agricultural purposes 
than for grazing. 

" Colonel Hollister has inaugurated some 
very extensive reforms. What is called the 
trespass law was enacted mainly through his 
exertions. In early days cattle were allowed 
to run at large, compelling every person to 
fence who wished to cultivate the ground. 
Though a stock-raiser himself, he insisted on 
not only the justice, but the policy of com- 
pelling every man to herd his stock under 
pains and penalties of trespass if they did 
damage. Public opinion was much divided on 
the matter, but one county after another came 



into the arrangement, until the justice and 
expediency of the * Trespass Law ' is now gen- 
eially conceded. 

"The subject of Chinese labor is still under 
consideration. Whether the public will come 
to his way of thinking is doubtful. He wields 
a vigorous pen, and is evidently sincere and 
earnest. He is a great believer in the value 
of labor, and enforces his belief by being 
about the hardest worker in the State. As a 
public speaker he is to the point and lucid, 
never attempting to be ornate or poetical * 
but is often humorous and sometimes sar- 
castic, though it requires great provocation to 
bring out the latter quality. In politics he 
is a Republican, earnest, but not rabid. A 
few extracts from his writings will give a 
better idea of his style than any description. 

" PRODUCTION BEFORE COMMERCE. 

'• Antecedent to all trade is labor. Eng- 
land grows rich, not because she is smarter 
than other nations, but more industrious. 
Erance lives and thrives, and pays the fright- 
ful war indemuity because her citizens work. 
Did the care for the millions of coin paid 
out, and fear that thereafter .-he would have 
no measures of values left inside her dominion? 
Not at all. She went to work, and so brought 
them back from all nations with whom she 
had commercial relations. 

" LABOR, MORALITY, AND CIVILIZATION MARCH 
ABKEAST. 

'• Labor is the sum total. Go to work and 
grow rich. If the nation continues idle, noth- 
ing can save it. If idle, it will be immoral. 
Poverty and crime go together. If you would 
have a moral community, make it prosperous. 
You can only do that by unflagging industry. 

" Labor is the penalty ws pay for civiliza- 
tion. If there is an American who does not 
wish to work, let him don the scant apparel 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



653 



suited to the climate, go to the tropics, be a 
savage, and nature will feed him from a tree. 
If he wants the comforts and luxuries of" a 
better life, let him take off his coat and go 
to work. 

" Without work there is no wealth. There 
is not a dollar added to the wealth of the na- 
tion without labor. Congress may make a 
promise, but it cannot create a dollar. The 
labor of the people alone can do that. When 
the Government issued its greenbacks, it sim- 
ply promised to the world that the American 
people would create by labor a dollar's worth 
of property for every dollar of paper issued. 
That promise we must fulfill. When we 
have done that, greenbacks will be as good as 
gold, and not an hour before." 



A'. FORRESTER, deceased, was an in- 
fluential member of the San Luis Obispo 
° County bar, a progressive citizen of 
broad intelligence and an aggressive advocate 
of the cause of right. He was born in Phil- 
adelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1836, became as 
he grew up a bright scholar, active in edu- 
cational affairs, an eloquent speaker and an 
influential politician. In San Luis Obispo 
County he was County Superintendent of the 
Schools from 1870 to 1872, and|a brilliant 
correspondent of leading San Francisco pa- 
pers. He was a member of San Simeon 
Lodge, No. 196, F. & A. M., of San Luis 
Obispo. He was married in that city, Jan- 
uary 21, 1861, to Dofia Maria Josefa Pico, 
daughter of Jose de Jesus Pico, a highly re- 
spected Californian of that place. Mr. For- 
rester died September 18, 1885, at the age of 
forty-nine years, leaving a wife and six chil- 
dren. Touching eulogies were written and 
officially engrossed upon the records of the 
bar. We copy: 



" Upon the receipt of the sad intelligence 
of the death of P. A. Forrester, Esq., the 
members of the Bar of San Luis Obispo 
County assembled in the court room of the 
Superior Court on Monday, September 21, 
1885, and after eulogistic remarks passed the 
following resolutions: 

" Resolved, That the members of the Bar 
of San Luis Obispo County have received 
with profound sorrow the announcement of 
the death of P. A. Forrester, late esteemed 
member of the Bar of this county. 

" Resolved, That in his decease his family 
have lost a kind and affectionate father, the 
Bar an honorable member and learned attor- 
ney, and the community a good citizen. 

" Resolved, That as a mark of respect to 
the deceased these resolutions be spread upon 
the minutes of the Superior Court of this 
county; that a copy be transmitted to the 
family of the deceased, and that a copy be 
furnished the newspapers of the county for 
publication. 

" W. H. Spence, Chairman.'''' 



, II. JOHNSTON, of San Luis Obispo, 
is a pioneer of California, as he first 
° landed at San Francisco as earlj' as 
March 14, 1850. He was born in Green 
County, Alabama, a son of Chesley Johnston, 
who also was born in that State, in 1809, was 
a farmer by occupation and was twice mar- 
ried. By his first wife, whose name before 
marriage was Mary Ryan, he had one son, 
who is the subject of this sketch. By \\\% 
second marriage ho raised a large family. 

Mr. Johnston left home in the fall of 1843, 
going to Hinds County, Mississippi, where 
he was overseer of a large cotton plantation 
until be came to California. Starting from 
New Orleans by sailing vessel to Panama, he 



654 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



came thence by the steamship Edward Ever- 
ett to San Francisco. Alter spending eight- 
een months in the mines oi' California and 
passing through various business vicissitudes, 
he located in 1867 in the extreme southern 
end of San Luis Obispo County, on Los 
Barons Creek, where he entered the dairy 
business, being the second to engage in that 
occupation in this county. He has since 
sold his stock and leased his ranch of 1,700 
acres, and practically retired from business, 
making his home in San Luis Obispo. 

He was married in 1855, to Mrs. Mac- 
Kin nes, a daughter of Charles Hamilton, of 
Scotland. 



[DWARD B. de la GUERRA, a son of 
William and Francisca (Foxen) de la 
Guerra, was born on the Los Alamos 
Rancho, December 12, 1864. His father, 
who died in 1874, was the oldest son of Jose - 
Antonio de la Guerra. His mother, now 
Mrs. Goodchild, was the daughter of William 
Domingo Foxen, one of the distinguished 
pioneers of Santa Barbara County. Edward 
spent his boyhood in Guadalupe, Santa Bar- 
bara County, to which place the family had 
moved; and it was there that he attended 
school and also entered mercantile life. . At 
the age of fifteen years he was in the employ 
of L. M. Kaiser & Co., and later of M. J. 
Fontana & Co., — both firms being of Guada- 
lupe. For four years afterward he was en- 
gaged by Weilheimer & Coblentz of Santa 
Maria. In 1888 he came to San Luis Obispo 
city, where he and his brother are now en- 
gaged in the trade of gents' furnishing goods, 
under the name of De la Guerra Brothers, 
although the establishment is somewhat bet 
ter known as the "City of Paris." 

In September, 1888, Mr. De la Guerra was 



the Democratic candidate for County Recorder 
of Santa Barbara County, but was defeated. 
The nomination for this office was not of his 
own choosing, and was accepted only after 
the earnest solicitation of his friends. He is 
a member of the N. S. G. W., Santa Maria 
Parlor, No. 128. He is unmarried. 



^Mj- 



^MANUEL de la GUERRA, of the city 
of San Luis Obispo, is the son of 
William and Francisca (Foxen) de la 
Guerra, and was born in Los Alamos, April 
13, 1856. He received his education mainly 
in Guadalupe, and later, in 1879-'81, he com- 
pleted his studies at Santa Barbara. In 1884 
he left Guadalupe and made his home in San 
Luis Obispo city, where he has since resided. 
For three years he was in the employ of 
Blochman & Co., and later opened the gents' 
furnishing store now known as the "City of 
Paris." He was then associated with Meyr 
& Greenberg. In February, 1889, he formed 
a partnership with his brother Edward, and 
they are now conducting the business jointly. 
Mr. De la Guerra is a man very popular both 
in business and social circles. He is a mem- 
ber of the N. S. G. W., San Luis Obispo 
Parlor. Ele was married April 25, 1890, to 
Mrs. Lizzie Price. 



-*~* 



§B. CALL, of San Luis Obispo, now 
deceased, was born in Newport, New 
* Hampshire, in 1838, the youngest in 
a family of six sons and two daughters. He 
learned the harness-making trade in Boston 
and came to Santa Cruz, California, Novem- 
ber 2, 1859, and to San Luis Obispo in March, 
1862, where he died at the age of forty-three 
years. He was a pioneer in the saddle and 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



655 




harness business at this point. He was 
highly respected as a man of influence in the 
community, was a successful business man, 
and on his death he left a handsome estate. 



ILLIAM GRATES, of San Luis 
Obispo, is the second son of Judge 
William J. Graves, deceased, whose 
sketch is given elsewhere. Born August 15, 
1854, be received a liberal education, at- 
tending the public school in San Luis 
Obispo, a private school at Chorro Ranch 
taught by Mary K. Biddle, the Lincoln 
school in 1868 in San Francisco, in 1872 the 
Sunnyside High School in New Bedford 
County, Virginia, and afterward tbe Uni- 
versity of Virginia, at which he graduated. 
He was admitted to the practice of law in 
Virgin a by the Court of Appeals in 1877, 
and in December that year he was admitted 
by the Supreme Court of California and also 
by the United States Circuit Court. In 1879 
he was busy at the practice of law in San 
Francisco, and was well established in his pro- 
fession in connection with his distinguished 
father, under the firm name of W. J. & W. 
Graves. 

In 1881 he went to Arizona and was 
associated with Oscar M. Brown, an intimate 
friend of his father, in the practice of his 
profession. In 1884 his father died and he 
returned to San Luis Obispo. Since that 
time he has made his home in this city, de- 
voting all his time and energy to the prac- 
tice of law, being now a member of the firm 
of Graves, Turner & Graves, who transact an 
enormous amount of business; their clients 
are scattered all over the State. They have 
participated in the litigation of about all the 
important suits that have been instituted in 
this county, as the will cases of Biddle, Logan, 



Herrera, Blackman, etc. When in Arizona 
Mr. Graves was a member of the Territorial 
Legislature. In San Luis Obispo he was City 
Attorney in 1878-'79, a member of the city 
board of trustees 1877-80, and is now a 
school trustee. 

He was married in October, 1881, to Miss 
Lily H. Branch, a native of California, and 
has three children. Mr. Graves is a man of 
dignified presence and stately form, and is a 
distinguished lawyer. 



OBERT E. LEE was born in Watson- 
ville, Santa Cruz County, California, 
September 21, 1866. His parents, 
Robert F. and Mary F. Lee, were both of 
Irish descent, and came from Ireland to 
America in the year 1850, remaining in the 
Eastern States some years before making 
California their home. Young Lee journeyed 
to San Luis Obispo in the year 1874, and has 
made that city his home ever since. He is a 
printer by trade, having established himself 
in that business in 1882. Is a prominent 
member of the Native Sons of the Golden 
West. 



jIIARLES L. ST. CLAIR was born in 
San Jose, California, July 12, 1854. 
He is the son of Arthur and Alida St. 
Clair, who came West from Michigan in the 
fall of 1853 and settled in San Jose. Young 
St. Clair camejto the city of San Luis Obispo in 
1860, and has since made this city his home 
with the exception of a short period when at 
school in San PVancisco, where he attended 
the St. Mary's College, graduating in 1874. 
In 1878 he was married to Albertinu B. Boll, 
of Mobile, Alabama. They have two chil- 



G3G 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



dren. Mr. St. Clair is a prominent member 
of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and 
has, during the five years of his membership, 
taken an active part in the management of 
the affairs of this powerful organization. A 
blacksmith by trade, he has been engaged in 
that occupation for fourteen years. Mr. St. 
Clair is a prominent member of the San Luis 
Obispo Band, and possesses considerable 
talent as a musician, a gift which has been 
inherited to a surprising degree by his little 
son, who, at the age of nine years, took part 
in the performances of the band. 



fOHN THOMPSON is one of the prom- 
inent early settlers of San Luis Obispo 
County. In 1867 he located in Monterey 
County, and after three years spent there he 
came to his present locality in San Luis 
Obispo County. He is a native of north 
England, born in February, 1842, of Eng- 
lish parents, John and Esther Thompson, and 
was reared and educated there. When he 
came to San Luis Obispo County it was a 
grand sheep country, with but few settlers, 
principally stock-raisers. At first he took 
sheep to raise on shares, and poou worked up 
a fine business, becoming a breeder of stock. 
This he continued successfully until 1884, 
when the county began to be settled more 
thickly, and he closed out the business. 
When he came to the county there was only 
one American at the mission, Lewis Colgate, 
and only a few Spaniards were there. The 
following year Mr. Walter M. Jeffreys 
landed there, and they became warm friends, 
the intimacy lasting until 1890, when Mr. 
Jeffreys' death occurred. Mr. Thompson 
was with him in his last illness and at his 
death-bed. He is administrator of his 
friend's estate, and the manager of the Jef- 



freys Hotel, the pioneer hotel of the place. 
Mr. Thompson has large land interests of his 
own, having 800 acres, located three miles 
east of San Miguel, where he is carrying on 
farming and raising horses and cattle. He 
is also interested, with two of his sisters 
who reside in England, in 1,600 acres of land 
in Kern County. They have stock on this 
ranch, and they also have property in the 
city of San Luis Obispo. 

Mr. Thompson was married in 1863, in 
England, to Miss Craiton, an English lady. 
Two of their children, Walter and William, 
were born in England, and in infancy came 
with their parents to California. Esther A. 
was born in San Luis Obispo, and is the wife 
of Mr. Higgin McFadden. After seventeen 
years of wedded life Mr. Thompson had the 
misfortune to lose his wife by death, and 
since that time, 1880, he has remained 
single. 

As a hotel manager Mr. Thompson is 
courteous and obliging. He is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity.. He prefers the 
Democracy, but is independent in local poli- 
tics, and is well informed in the affairs of his 
country. He is a hospitable gentleman, of 
pleasing address and kind impulses. 

fUDGE AYLETT RAINS COTTON, of 
San Francisco, owning a beautiful ranch 
in San Luis Obispo County, was born at 
Austintown, Ohio, November 29, 1826. His 
father, John Cotton, was a pioneer of Ohio, 
and, also of Iowa, having moved there when 
it was a Territory. Judge Cotton, our sub- 
ject, accompanied his father to Iowa in 1844, 
crossed the plains to California in 1849, and 
after working in the mines returned to Iowa 
in 1851, and resumed the practice of law; was 
elected County Judgeof Clinton County,Iowa, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



fi57 



in 1851, resigned the office in 1853 to return 
to the law practice; was a member of the Con- 
vention in 1857 to revise the Constitution of 
Iowa; was a member of the Iowa Legislature 
in 1868 and in 1870, and occupied the posi- 
tion of Speaker of the House at the last ses- 
sion. He was a member of Congress from 
the Second Iowa District from 1871 to 1875. 
In 1883 he removed with his family to Cali- 
fornia and engaged in the practice of law in 
San Francisco. He has also taken an inter- 
est in fruit-tree culture, having planted some 
160 acres in San Luis Obispo County, where 
he made purchase of several tracts of land, 
with French prunes, apricots, peaches, and 
other varieties. 

Judge Cotton has also attained a high 
position in the Masonic order, having been 
Grand Master of Masons in Iowa in 1855-'56, 
and been honored with the thirty-third de- 
gree in Scottish Rite Masonry. 

In 1873 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Hattie E.Walker, a native of Williams- 
port, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of J. T. 
Walker, also a native of that State. They 
have two sons, Aylett R. and Stewart W., 
and a native California daughter, Claudine. 




SALTER M. JEFFREYS, deceased, a 
prominent citizen and early settler of 
San Miguel, was born of English 
parents, in the great seaport town of Liver- 
pool, England, January 15, 1848. He re- 
ceived his education in his native land, and 
in 1868, when twenty years of age, was mar- 
ried to Miss Margaret Wilson, a native of 
England. They sailed for the United States 
and arrived at San Luis Obispo in the latter 
part of the same year. 

Sheep-raising was very profitable, and the 
prevailing business of Southern California at 



that time; he embarked in it and was very 
successful. He purchased a valuable tract of 
land, 500 acres in extent, adjoining the town, 
near the old mission building. In 1874 he 
built the Jeffreys Hotel, the pioneer hotel of 
the town, and for sixteen years, up to the 
time of his death, was its owner and mana- 
ger. He was a very popular landlord, and 
enjoyed the patronage and confidence of the 
oldest and most prominent residents and set- 
tlers in the county, and was considered by all 
as a man of the strictest business integrity. 
In politics he was an active and enthusiastic 
Democrat, was a leader of his party in the 
county, and did much toward its success in 
many a campaign He took a great interest 
in the affairs of San Miguel and especially in 
educational matters, serving as School Trus- 
tee several terms. For twelve successive 
years he was elected Justice of the Peace by 
his party. 

In the midst of his business career, and in 
the prime of life, January 11, 1890, he was 
taken suddenly ill and in a few hours the 
spirit of Walter M. Jeffreys had fled — the 
warm hearted friend, the public- spirited citi- 
zen was no more, and the whole community 
had met with an irreparable loss. He was 
a prominent chapter Mason and a charter 
member of San Miguel Lodge, No. 265, F. 
& A. M. His Masonic friends gathered 
around his bier and, with their beautiful and 
impressive ceremony, performed the last Bad 
rites, and dropped into the grave of their 
departed brother the emblem of eternal life. 
The day of his burial was just forty-two years 
after the day of his birth; and he was the 
first Mason buried by the lodge of which he 
was a worthy member. His funeral was at- 
tended by a very large circle of acquaint- 
ances and friends, and by all was his loss 
deeply felt. 

Mr. John Thompson, his life-long ac- 



658 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



quaintance and intimate friend and brother 
Mason, was with him in his illness and at the 
hour of death; and was very appropriately- 
appointed has administrator. Mr. Thompson 
has charge of and is conducting his business 
and the hotel. 

Mr. Jeffreys left no son to continue the 
name, and this brief and imperfect history is 
intended to perpetuate the memory of Walter 
M. Jeffreys, an esteemed citizen and one of 
the founders of San Miguel. 



fOAQUIN QUINTAN A was born on 
the Quintana ranch, San Luis Obispo 
County, December 19, 1862, and is a 
son of Pedro and Luz, nee Herrera, Quin- 
tana. The subject of this sketch passed his 
childhood on the ranch, after which he at- 
tended school at Santa Barbara and Los An- 
geles, receiving a good education in these 
cities. In August, 1889, in company with 
his brother and Mr. Masterson, he engaged 
in the general merchandise business, under 
the firm name of Quintana Brothers & Mas- 
terson, their establishment being located at 
the corner of Chorro and Monterey streets. 
Mr. Quintana is the senior member of this 
firm, a firm which merits the respect and 
confidence of all who have dealings with 
them. 

Mr. Quintana was married in 1884, and 
has three children. 

fC. CASTRO, son of Jose T. Castro, was 
born in Monterey, California, Decem- 
9 ber 18, 1845. He received a good 
common-school education in his native town, 
and after engaging in business at various 
times in that city, moved to San Luis Obispo 



in 1866, and has continued his residence 
there since that time. Mr. Castro is a gen- 
tleman prominent in business matters and a 
general favorite throughout the county and 
wherever he is known. 

He was married in 1872 to F. Maria 
Jaxoli. They are the parents of five children. 

?J EDRO QUINTANA was born in New 
p Mexico, January 29, 1833, and is one 
of the pioneers of this county. He 
came to San Luis Obispo County in 1843, 
there being at that time only three or four 
families residing in this vicinity. Mr. 
Quintana owns a fine ranch twelve miles 
from the city, where he has spent an active 
and useful life engaged in ranching, and 
where he is now living, quiet and retired, a 
gentleman universally popular wherever he 
is known. 

He was married in 1856, to Luz Herrera, 
and has seven children. Three of the sons, 
one of whom forms the subject of a preced- 
ing sketch, are actively engaged in mercan- 
tile life in the city. 

■ — -H. ig.nn. % ■ 

[EORGE YAN GORDEN is a pioneer, 
of California, who came to the State in 
1846, lacking only one year of being a 
native son of the Golden West. He was born 
September 8, 1845, near Buchanan, Berrien 
County, Michigan. His mother died in 
1848, and he was raised by his aunt, Mrs. 
H. C. Smith, of Alameda County. Mr. 
Smith, his uncle, was a Representative of 
Alameda County to the first State Legisla- 
ture. Mr. Van Gorden attended school in 
Alameda County, and Visalia, Tulare County. 
He was raised on a farm, and, with his father, 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



659 



has been twenty years in the cattle business, 
and nine years in the same business on the 
ranch of Senator Hearst, the Piedro Blanco 
Ranhco of 46,000 acres. Mr. Yan Gorden 
has had the care and management of it for 
nine years. They are doing a large dairy 
business, and have 1,000 cows. They are 
also engaged in raising horses and mules; 
they have 300 head of trotters, runners and 
draft horses. Their stock horses are of the 
very best breeds, and several of them are very 
valuable. The ranch contains a race course, 
and everything connected with the business. 
They also have the Santa Rosa ranch, of 
1,500 acres, one of the best ranches in the 
county, on which they are breeding and rais- 
ing their running horses. In the forty-four 
years that Mr. Van Gorden has been in this 
county, is comprised nearly all the American 
history of the State, from the formation of 
the government to the present time. At 
one time his uncle, II. E. Smith, kept a pris- 
oner, Thomas Bell, in his house for three 
weeks. Bell was a noted horse-thief and a 
desperado, had stolen two of their horses, 
was pursued and captured, and when they 
brought him to their house the high water 
prevented their taking him to San Jose. After 
he was taken to San Jose he made his escape, 
and after many depredations he was finally 
killed. Mr. Van Gordon's people were at 
the San Jose mission when the cholera broke 
out, and hundreds of Indians died with it. 

He was married in 1868, to Miss Annie 
Stiner, a native of California, born at Mari 
posa. She is a daughter of Mr. Calvin M. 
Stiner, a native of Mississippi, and a veteran 
of the Mexican war. Thay have three chil- 
dren, born in California, viz.: Annie It., 
George M. and Laura Emma. Mr. Van 
Gorden is a member of the Odd Fellows 
fraternity, and in politics is a Republican. 
"While he may be called an "old-timer" and 



a pioneer, still he is a young man, and in the 
business in which he is engaged he is the 
right man in the right place. He is a great 
lover of horses, and is producing some very 
fine ones. He has lived in San Luis Obispo 
County twenty-two years, and considers it 
the best stock county in the State. 



ffAMES TAYLOR, one of the influential 
! and well-to-do ranchers of Cambria, hav- 
ing one of the finest ranches in that sec- 
tion. He came to California in 1869, and is 
a native of Scotland, born October 1, 1812. 
His father, John Taylor, was born in the city 
of Cork, Ireland, January 26, 1810, while 
his father, Peter Taylor, a Scotchman and a 
British soldier, was stationed in Ireland. 
The grandfather, Peter Taylor, was promoted 
as Sergeant, which was as high as could be 
attained in the British army, without buy- 
ing a commission. At the time of the battle 
of Waterloo, he was a recruiting officer for 
the army. He was born in Scotland, March 
28, 1779, and died October 1, 1856. Mr. 
Taylor's father was a Presbyterian elder in 
the Westminster Church of Los Angeles for 
several years, and held the same office in the 
church at Cambria, where he died, December 
7, 1881. Mr. Taylor's mother was Jenette 
(Crerer) Taylor, a native of Perthshire, Scot- 
land. Her father was James Crerer, also a 
native of Scotland. 

James Taylor, our subject, is the third in 
a family of six children, viz.: Peter, Lillis, 
James, Ellen, John and Jannet; the last 
mentioned died May 20, 1860; their mother 
died in Scotland July 6, 1850, and the family 
came to America in 1851, and engaged in 
farming in Delaware County, New York. It 
was a timbored farm, but they cleared the 
land and lived there until 1869, when they 



060 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



came to California; the family are settled 
within a few miles of each other. They 
located Government land in the mountains, 
and engaged in stock-raising; one of the 
brothers remained at the ranch and looked 
after the stock while others worked out. Mr. 
Taylor was an excellent sheep-shearer and 
followed that occupation in the season for 
four years after coming to Cambria; in that 
time he sheared 24,000 sheep, and the last 
year sheared 7,000. Mr. Taylor took 120 
cows to their ranch in Los Angeles County, 
and with Robert McFadden engaged in mak- 
ing butter and cheese, which they sold in 
Los Angeles and San Diego. In two years 
he sold out, and, considering San Luis Obispo 
the best stock county, came back and bought 
160 acres of land, where he raised stock, 
potatoes and vegetables, which he sold to the 
quicksilver miners. From time to time he 
has added to his ranch until he now has 640 
acres of land, on which he has a dairy, and is 
raising grain, cattle and horses. His specialty 
in horses is the Norman Percheron, of which 
he has several splendid teams, and is also 
breeding roadsters. He has among many 
other fine horses a large gray team, which 
'weighs 1,560 pounds each. He has property 
in many other places, and is one of the men 
who are a credit to any county in which they 
reside. By industry and honesty, for which his 
country men are noted, he has steadily risen 
from hard and steady work, of which he is not 
ashamed, to be one of the foremost ranchers 
in this part of the country. 

James Taylor was a volunteer soldier in 
the civil war; was drafted September 2, 1863, 
at the age of twenty. On finding drafted 
men could not join the company of their choice, 
he borrowed the money and furnished a sub- 
stitute; and three months later he, with eight 
of his neighbors' boys, volunteered and joined 
the Eighth New York Independent Battery, 



stationed then at York town, Virginia, and 
was in active service in all the raids and en- 
gagements of the Eighth Battery till the 
close of the war; was discharged June 30, 
1865, at Norfolk, Virginia. 

Mr. Taylor was married November 18, 
1875, to Miss Jennett Mc Dougal, a native of 
Delaware County, New York, and daughter 
of Archibald and Agnes McDougal, natives 
of Scotland. They have had six children, only 
three of whom are living, and born in San 
Luis Obispo County, vizf. : Jannie, Katie and 
Archibald. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are mem- 
bers of the first Presbyterian Church at Cam- 
bria; Mr. Taylor is an elder, and aided in the 
erection of the church edifice. In his poli- 
tical relations Mr. Taylor is a Republican. 



TJGUST LOOSE, one of the promising 
ranchers of his district, has 120 acres 
of land on the banks of the San Marcos 
Creek, three miles southeast of San Miguel. 
The nice young trees, the growing crops, and 
the appearance of thrift all bear testimony to 
the enterprise and industry of Mr. and Mrs. 
Loose, who are united in their efforts to make 
a comfortable and attractive home. Mr. Loose 
is a native of Germany, born July 7, 1848, 
of German parents. lie was reared on a 
farm and attended school until seventeen 
years of age, when, in 1866, he came to Cali- 
fornia, to escape the oppressive military laws 
of Germany, and also to make a home and a 
fortune in a land of free institutions. He 
first settled in Mendocino County and was in 
the timber business for some years. While 
there he took up 350 acres of land, built a 
house and planted an orchard. He afterward 
sold out, made some money, and came to San 
Luis Obispo County, October 6, 1887, and 
purchased 120 acres of new land. On this 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



(SGI 



he has built a house, planted trees and vines, 
and is engaged in raising wheat, corn and 
vegetables, being very successful. 

In July, 1881, Mr. Loose was married to 
Mrs. Bleehan, a native of Germany. She 
had three children by her first husband, born 
in Mendocino County: Charles, Louisa and 
George. By her present husband she has two 
sons, also born in Mendocino County: August 
and Henry. Mr. Loose was reared a Lutheran 
and Mrs. Loose an Episcopalian. They speak 
the English language in their family, and are 
completed Americanized. He is a Republican 
and an excellent citizen. 

IOLONEL RUSSELL GARRETT, a 
resident of Ventura, had seen this por- 
tion of the State in 1849-'50, and was 
so impressed with the desirability of Ventura 
that he never lost sight of it, and in 1880 
bought the property on Ventura avenue, 
which is his home. He has also bought a 
ranch of 600 acres, where he raises wheat and 
barley. He has built on the ranch and 
planted fruit trees tor home consumption. 

Mr. Garrett was born in Ohio, September 
29, 1829. His father, Charles B. Garrett, 
was born in Virginia, in 1794, and was in the 
war of 1812, under General Scott. His 
grandfather, William Garrett, born also in 
the Old Diminion, was a soldier in the 
Revolution under Washington, in Lee's army. 
The family in early day had its origin in 
Ireland, whence they emigrated to France 
and became Huguenots. Mr. Garrett's 
mother, Maria Walker, was born in Detroit, 
Michigan, August 9, 1807. Her father, 
William Walker, was born in Virginia, cap- 
tured by the Indians when a boy and taken 
to Michigan. Governor William Walker, of 
Kansas, was her brother, and R. J. Walker, 



Secretary of the Virginia State Treasury, was 
another brother. Mr. Garrett, our subject, 
is the third child in a family of six sons and 
three daughters, of whom two are now living. 
After finishing his education at Chapel Hill 
College, Missouri, he came in 1849 to Cali- 
fornia overland, and spent two years in the 
mines, he and his associate being the first 
white miners on the north fork of Feather 
River. They obtained on an average about 
$4 worth of gold to the pan of dirt, and they 
took out sometimes as much as $500 a day. 
The deep snow and mountain fever drove 
them from those rich mines. Returning to 
Missouri, Mr. Garrett engaged in farming, 
and when the war commenced he had a num- 
ber of negroes, and in order to preserve his 
property he enlisted under General Rosser, 
of Virginia, and they were drilled all winter 
before the war. During the war they formed 
a portion of the army of General Price and 
participated in the battles of Lexington, Oak 
Grove, Pea Ridge and in the retreat from 
Springfield, Missouri, and at the engagement 

at Boston Mountain, Hill, Helena, and 

on the Red River and at Campden, — at all of 
which the Confederates were victorious except 
at Helena, where they were badly whipped 
by General Grant's lively regiment. Mr. 
Garrett was of course in many minor engage- 
ments besides the above named. He enlisted 
as a private; at the battle of Lexington he 
was promoted to the Colonelcy, when he was 
permitted to raise a regiment, General Jack- 
son appointing him to that position. After 
the war closed, according to the advice of 
General Price, he went to Springfield, Mis- 
souri, with 300 of his men, intending to en- 
list under Colonel Grovely to go out and 
subdue Indians; but he was the only one of 
the 300 who enlisted. He was in that service 
from March 13, 1865, to October 26 follow- 
ing. Being discharged, he went to Kansas 



662 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



City and engaged in agriculture upon a farm 
of his own; in 1880 he sold this and came to 
Ventura, where he has since resided. He 
was appointed by President Cleveland 
Deputy Revenue Collector of this district. 
in his fraternal relations he is a Master 
Mason. 

The Colonel was married in 1860, to Miss 
E. J. Lane, a daughter of Isaac W. Lane, of 
Utica, New York, of English descent; she 
was born in Ohio in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. 
Garrett have had no children of their own, 
but have brought up three. The girl is now 
Mrs. Honeywell, and the boys are Charles 
M. Garrett and John McMullen, all grown 
up. Mrs. Garrett is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. During the war she gave her 
services one year to the hospital at St. Louis, 
and afterward had the care of the sick and 
wounded at Gajoso Hospital in Tennessee. 




WASHINGTON WOODBERRY, de- 
ceased, formerly a lumber merchant 
at Ventura, was born in Hamilton, 
Massachusetts, in 1838, of Massachusetts an- 
cestry. At the age of nineteen years he went 
to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and thence to Lead- 
ville, Colorado, and prospected for a time. 
Then he engaged in freighting and also dealt 
iti produce; next he was in the cattle business 
in Idaho, driving stock to Nevada; and in 
Nevada he controlled the business. While 
in that State he was elected Assessor of 
White Fine County, which position he filled 
for three successive terms. In 1884 he came 
to Ventura for a better climate, and bought 
out the lumber firm of Saxby & Collins, and 
carried on the business successfully until the 
time of his death, January 13, 1890, of rheum- 
atism of the heart, which was only of five 
days' duration. As he was a man of high 



character, his sudden death cast a heavy 
gloom over the community. He had just 
completed a fine residence in Ventura. He 
was married December 13, 1881, to Miss Ida 
Kilburn, in Eureka, Nevada. She was born 
in Nevada City, a daughter of Governor O. 
Kilburn, a native of St. Albans, Vermont. 
Mrs. Woodberry is a member of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Church, and has made many 
warm friends during her residence here. 



(9 ' , . 61 



fOSEPH P. MOODY is one of the promi- 
nent and influential ranchers of Estrella. 
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov- 
ember 20, 1849. His father, Henry Moody, 
was born in Kentucky, December 15, 1818, 
and his grandfather, John Moody, a native 
of Virginia, was reared in Kentucky. His 
grandmother's maiden name was Catherine 
Porter. She was a native of Kentucky. 
Henry Moody spent fifteen years of his life 
as a farmer, in Ohio, and then came to the 
northern part of California, where he spent 
several years. He married Nancy L. Buxton, 
a native of Ohio, by whom he had four chil- 
dren. In 1852 he brought his family to 
California, and settled in Grass Valley, 
Nevada County. In 1858 they went to the 
Feather River, five miles south of Marysville, 
and remained there until 1869, when they 
came to San Luis Obispo County. 

When the subject of this sketch was three 
and a half years old, his mother died, and he 
was thus in early life deprived of a moth- 
er's loving care. Having come to California 
when quite small, and having passed his life 
in pioneer districts, his educational oppor- 
tunities were limited; but, while he was de- 
prived of many early advantages, he was 
evidently drawn largely from the book of 
common sense, without which the college 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



6G3 



graduate is of little account; and through, 
many hardships and discouragements Mr. 
Moody has risen to a position of prominence 
and influence, and is regarded by his fellow 
citizens as a man of integrity. 

In 1873 he took up a piece of land in San 
Luis Obispo County, and afterward found it 
belonged to a railroad company; then selected 
another claim, and also had to give that up. 
In 1882 he came to his present locality, six 
and a half miles east of San Miguel, took up 
160 acres of land, and purchased 440 acres 
more; has since sold 180 acres, and now 
(1890) owns 440 acres, on which he has built 
a house and barn and planted a large variety 
of fruit trees and a fine vineyard. He is 
raising large quantities of wheat, and is cul- 
tivating a section of land in addition to his 
own. Last year he raised nearly 7,000 
bushels of wheat. In 1872 Mr. Moody 
married Miss Martha M. McClary, a native 
of New York. The following children have 
been born to them, and all are now living, 
viz.: Charles E., born in Marysville, and the 
others in San Luis Obispo County: William 
H., Lottie E., Mary E., Ellen, Arthur, Elmer, 
Joseph E., Grace I., Earl J., Hattie N. and 
Clara L. Mr. and Mrs. Moody are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he 
holds the office of trustee in the church, and 
in also School Trustee. His political views 
are in harmony with the Republican party. 



'-5*-tf-i 



»» «p» — 



fL. AUG &B RITE, formerly of the firm 
of Argabrite & Cannon, grocers of San 
° Buenaventura, was born in West Vir- 
ginia, April 8, 185G. His father, Pharis Ar- 
gabrite, was of German descent, and his 
mother, nee Rosana Jerrett, was a native of 
West Virginia. The subject of this brief 
notice, the youngest of their twelve children, 



was educated at Roanoke College, Virginia. 
When he became of age he was appointed 
conductor on the Ashland Coal and Iron Rail- 
way, and had that position rive years. He is 
a member of the Masonic Order, a young 
business man of energy and integrity, and a 
good citizen. 

He was married in 1879 to Miss Dora, 
daughter of Captain J. P. Mail, born in Au- 
gusta County, Virginia. They have three 
children: Newton M., Joseph M., and Will- 
iam Wade. Mrs. Argabrite was in poor 
health, and he came to California with her 
for a change of climate; but she did not re- 
cover, her death occurring February 20, 1887; 
and in April, 1889, he married Miss Clara 
Cannon, who was born in Nevada City, this 
State, and came to Ventura in 1875 with her 
parents. By this marriage there is one son, 
named Clarence C. 



EORGE W. ROBBINS, son of Thomas 
Robbins, of Boston, and Encarnacion 
(Carillo) Robbins, daughter of Governor 
Carillo, of Santa Barbara, was born in Santa 
Barbara, in February, 1847. In 1861 the fam- 
ily moved to Nipomo ranch, San Luis Obispo 
County, and in 1864, after being burned out 
of their home there, moved to Arroyo Grande, 
where they erected the first house ever built 
in that locality. Young Robbins opened a 
general merchandise store, in 1870. Three 
years later he built a hotel and remained in 
the place until 1878, when he sold out and 
came to San Luis Obispo. With Mr. II. W. 
Little he engaged in the saloon business, and 
in 1879 was elected City Marshal. In 1880 
he was re-elected to that office, and later was 
Deputy County Assessor for three years. Mr. 
Robbins next took a fancy to the railroad 
business, and was employed at various points 



0G4 



SANTA BARBARA, IS AN LUIS OBISPO 



and at various times by the company then 
operating the railroad in San Luis Obispo 
County. In 1885 he was engaged in the 
Cosmopolital Hotel, and three and a half years 
later he entered into business for himself, and 
now conducts an establishment known as the 
Castle Saloon. 

Thomas Robbins, the father of George W., 
was very intimately associated with old Cap- 
tain Dana in his early life. He came to 
California as first mate on Captain Dana's 
vessel. Before the vessel's next trip, Cap- 
tain Dana got married and Captain Robbins 
took control, running the boat up and down 
the coast on its regular trips. 

George W. Robbins was married in Decem- 
ber, 1876, to Miss Hottel a native of Penn- 
sylvania. 



fOHN JACOB SCHIEFFERLY was 
born in Zurich, Switzerland, January 
^ 1, 1831. Of his life prior to the year 
1849, when he came to San Luis Obispo, very 
little is known, save the fact that for a short 
time he was before the mast on a sailing ves- 
sel, and after this he went into the mines and 
engaged in some light work, such as book- 
keeping, etc. After arriving in San Luis 
Obispo in 1849 he was employed by Captain 
Wilson in his warehouse at Port Harford, 
then known as Avila Port. After being thus 
occupied for two or three years he established 
a restaurant and lodging house (all the build- 
ings then being adobes), which he operated 
for a period of three or four years. Young 
Schiefferly clerked for Samuel Pollard for 
awhile, and afterward engaged in the general 
merchandise business for himself, and still 
later formed a copartnership with a brother 
of Pedro Quintana, now deceased. Their busi- 



ness was conducted on the site of the present 
store of Quintana Brothers & Masterson. 

May 3, 1855, Mr. Schiefferly was married 
to Juana Feliz. To them were horn nine 
children, five daughters and four sons, all of 
whom are now living. Shortly after his mar- 
riage Mr. Schiefferly purchased the Buena 
Yista ranch and resided there four years. 
He then bought the Quavitas ranch of 1,400 
acres, a distance of seven miles from the city 
of San Luis Obispo, and lived there with his 
family for a period of ten years. This prop- 
erty is now in possession of the estate, al- 
though unoccupied by the family, who are 
now living in the city. This ranch is sup- 
posed to contain some deposits of bituminous 
rock, and if this is so the property is of great 
value. 

Mr. Schiefferly died July 14, 1889, leaving 
the nine children already alluded to, and 
twenty-five grand children. In 1879 the sub- 
ject of this sketch sent to Germany for his 
aged mother, met her at San Francisco, and 
brought her to his home in San Luis Obispo. 
She was a strong and vigorous woman, al- 
most up to the time of her death, which 
occurred six years after her arrival in America. 

Mr. Schiefferly was one of the prominent 
men of his time in this city. He was exceed- 
ingly active in politics, and a very important 
factor in all matters of apolitical nature. He 
held at different times the offices of Constable 
and Sheriff, and was county assessor twice. 
While sheriff he had a number of important 
duties to perform, which in those days were 
somewhat perilous. Being called upon one 
day to arrest a band of thieves in Ventura 
County, he left San Luis Obispo with a posse 
of men, and, overtaking the thieves, he called 
on them to halt. They declined to do so 
and at the same time fired on the Sheriff. The 
fire was returned the Sheriff picking out his 
man and killing him instantly. This occurred 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



(JG.j 



during the term of 1854-56. Mr. Shiefferly 
suffered a severe fracture of the leg about the 
year 1870, which nearly resulted in his death 
at that lime. On his return from San Fran- 
cisco, where he had taken his son John to 
colleo-e, the stage in which he was traveling 
upset, and he was found aferward with his leg 
broken in three places. He was confined to 
his bed for thiee months, during which time 
his life was despaired of from time to time. 
He fully recovered, however, and was able to 
use his wounded limb. Prior to his death, 
Mr. Schiefferly was engaged in the real-estate 
business. 

B. PREFUMO, son of Antonio and 
Anna Prefuino,was born February 20, 
Q 1844, in Genoa, Italy. He was one 
of a family of seven sons and five daughters. 
At the age of thirteen years he went before 
the mast, and for five years was on the high 
seas, making frequent trips to the coast of 
Italy and the different countries bordering 
on the Mediterranean Sea. Young Prefumo 
had a strong inclination for sea life, but his 
parents greatly desired that he should spend 
his boyhood days at home and pursue his 
studies at school. The trip just alluded to, 
therefore, was taken against their wishes. He 
came to San Francisco when eighteen years 
of a°-e, as third mate of a sailing vessel. 
This was in 1862. He determined to leave 
his ship at this port, although he had shipped 
for a much longer period of years, but he was 
not satisfied with his future prospects on this 
vessel. He therefore secreted himself in the 
city, and when the time came for the boat 
to sail, third mate Prefumo was not to be 
found. He started soon after for Nevada 
City, Nevada County, California, and was in 
business there for three years, returning then 

42 



to San Francisco. He clerked for a short time 
in "West Point and next went to Monterey, 
where he remained for three years as a clerk 
in a (general merchandise store. In 1868 
Mr. Pretumo first settled in San Luis Obispo. 
At that time he established himself in the 
general merchandise business with "W. H. 
Henderson. This arrangement lasted one 
year. Then after doing business alone for 
eight years, he formed a copartnership with 
Mr. Yallmer, and up to the present time the 
business is conducted under the firm name of 
Prefumo & Yallmer. 

Mr. Prefumo was married in 1876 to Miss 
Ada Selby, daughter of Captain Selby, one of 
the early pioneers of this coast. The subject 
of this sketch is a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows, having joined in 1868. He is also a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. 



APTAIN DAYID P. MALLAGH was 
a native of Ireland, and came to Cali- 
fornia in the year 1849, settling down 
in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. He was soon 
afterward married to Juanita Carillo. To 
them eleven children were born, five of whom 
are now living, viz.: Mrs. Ellen Morriss, 
Mary, William and John Mallagh and Mrs. 
Jansen. Soon after his marriage the Captain 
and his wife moved to San Luis Obispo 
County, settling on what was then known as 
the Arroyo Grande ranch. Shortly afterward 
he disposed of this property and took the 
Iluer-IIuero ranch. Captain, Mallagh was a 
sea captain for a period of ten or twelve 
years, in charge of coast steamers and sailing 
vessels, and at that time was very prominent 
in all maritime matters, lie built and oper- 
ated a number of wharves at various landing 
places in this county. The wharf at Cane 
Landing is being used as the regular steam- 



V 



CC6 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



boat landing. The stage and freight business 
between this landing and San Luis Obispo 
was successfully operated by Captain Mallagh, 
in whose charge it was at that time. The 
ranch of 1,600 acres, adjoining the Pizrao 
ranch, constituted the home of the Mallagh 
family until the Captain's death. He was a 
worthy and respected citizen. At various 
times he served the public as deputy sheriff 
and also as Sheriff. At one time he was 
elected Sheriff on the independent ticket. 



*•§**"£*!*• 



OUIS LAMY, son of Louis Lamy, a na- 
" tive of France, and Maria Antonia (Or- 
tega) Lamy, of California, was born in 
San Luis Obispo July 31, 1862. After re- 
ceiving a common-school education in that 
city, he was sent to San Francisco, where he 
attended lectures at Hastings Law School. 
He subsequently entered the Jaw office of "W". 
J. Graves, in that city, and remained there 
between the years 1881 and 1884. He re- 
turned to San Luis Obispo and has been en- 
gaged in the practice of law in that place 
since April, 1885. 

Mr. Lamy was married in March, 1886, to 
Miss May Finn, of San Francisco, by whom 
he has two children. He is a Senior Past 
President of Los Osos Parlor, No. 61, Na- 
tive Sons of the Golden West; is also Senior 
Past Chief Ranger of Court Star of San Luis 
Obispo, No. 7697, Ancient Order of Forest- 
ers of America. 



H. DALLIDET, Jk., a real-estate 
m dealer of San Luis Obispo, was born 
® on what was then known as Gabriel 
Salazar's place, three miles from this city, 
April 6, 1857, a son of P. H. and Maria 



(Ascencion) Dallidet. He attended school in 
this city, and later, in 1873, at St. Mary's 
College, San Francisco. He then entered 
into business, but owing to ill health was 
soon obliged to withdraw for a time. Shortly 
afterward he went to Guadaloupe, and was 
there engaged as an assistant in the mercan- 
tile establishment of Mr. Hartman, and a few 
months later returned to his home on the 
Salazar place in San Luis Obispo County. In 
1876 Mr. Dallidet entered the county clerk's 
office, then in charge of Mr. Nathan King, 
and was his chief deputy for three years. 
Under Mr. Simmler he was also in the post- 
office for six months, in 1881. He then be- 
came interested in real-estate operations and 
has since been more or less engaged in this 
occupation. June 1, 1882, he associated 
himself with Mr. Phillips in this business, 
which engagement proved to be an eminently 
successful one. The sale of immense tracts 
of land and prominent ranches known to 
every old settler of this locality was success- 
fully negotiated by this firm. In 1886 Mr. 
Dallidet established himself alone in the real- 
estate business, and about this time he also 
bought an interest in some improved gold 
mines, which he still retains. 

October 6, 1886, he was married to Miss 
Dora Oldfield of Brooklyn, New York, and 
they now reside at Fixlini Terrace, a pretty 
place owned by Mr. Dallidet in the suburbs 
of San Luis Obispo city. 

"" " *gr"*i*~*^'''~*y < " * " — 



[MIL FLUEGLER was born in Germany, 
September 3, 1851. He received a good 
common-school education in his native 
country, and in 1866 started for America, 
locating at once in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 
where he engaged in the confectioner's trade, 
which trade he had learned while in Germany. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



667 



At this time young Fluegler was not robust 
and, becoming ill at different times, bis family 
advised bis return to Germany, which advice 
he acted upon in 1867. Again interested in 
the new world, be started once more for 
America, in 1868, and worked at his trade 
this time in Philadelphia. In 1873 he went 
to Australia and worked in the mines near 
Sydney. This expedition was far from suc- 
cessful, many lives and a great deal of money 
being lost by those who took part in the 
undertaking. Mr. Fluegler, after his un- 
fortunate adventure in the mines, worked 
awhile at his trade there and then sailed for 
California, arriving in San Francisco in 1875. 
The following year be came to San Luis 
Obispo, remaining, however, only a short 
time. In 1877 be was engaged for four 
months in the bakery and confectioner's busi- 
ness in Bakersfield. From San Francisco, 
soon afterward, with two companions he 
started for the Black Hills. Soon becoming 
disgusted with the country there, he took a 
trip into various parts of the United States, 
visiting Leavenworth, Kansas, and Philadel- 
phia, then back to San Francisco, Bakers- 
field, north to Washington Territory, and 
finally back to San Luis Obispo, in 1878. In 
the latter place he has continued to reside up 
to the present date, engaged at his trade. 
Since 1882 he has been in business for 
himself. 

Mr. Fluegler was married, March 24, 
1882, to Carrie Moltz, a native of Indiana, 
by whom he has one child. 



;ILLIAM MALLAGH, son of Cap- 
tain David P. Mallagh, was born at 
the IIuer-Huero ranch, San Luis 
Obispo County, August 15, 1864. He at- 
tended school in San Luis Obispo and fin- 




ished his education at Santa Ynez, Santa Bar- 
bara County, taking the full business course. 
After leaving school he went into the rail- 
road business, in which he was emmo-ed for a 
time, and later connected himself with the 
Cosmopolitan Hotel, one of the leading hotels 
in San Luis Obispo, where be is still in- 
terested. For three years he has been a 
member of the Native Sons of the Golden 
West. Mr. Mallagh was married, May 21, 
1890, to Miss Nellie Dana. 

!0»-.l>ijg-.l.-§t-tg-*--&.l H I 




ILLIAM DOMINGO FOXEN, de- 
ll ceased, also known as Benjamin 
Foxen, of San Luis Obispo County, 
was born in Norwich, England, in 1798, and 
commenced a seafaring life when a lad, 
entering the merchant service. He was 
gradually promoted until he became first 
officer, in which capacity he visited many 
parts of the old world and finally the islands 
of the Pacitic Ocean. Meeting Captain 
Thompson, afterward a resident of Santa 
Barbara, be was entreated by him to enter 
his large shipping business. Santa Barbara 
was reached in 1820, but it was in 1818 that 
Mr. Foxen first anchored his vessel in San 
Francisco Bay, the first vessel ever anchored 
in that harbor. Entering the employ of 
Captain Noriega at Santa Barbara, ho built a 
schooner in the little bay, since called from 
that event the Goleta. By this time Mr. 
Foxen had given up all idea of returnino- to 
his home in England; accordingly, following 
the usual custom, he sought a wife ainonf 
the graceful senoritas. In 1830 he married 
Eduarda Ozuna, of the town of Santa Bar- 
bara; but, according to the laws of the Catho- 
lic Church, ho was prohibited from man-vino- 
one of the believers of that faith unless he 
also became a Catholic. Ho therefore changed 



C.C8 



SANTA BARBARA, SAJSf LUIS OBISPO 



his faith, and his name from Benjamin to 
William Domingo, and all was thenceforward 
"plain sailing." He had eleven children, 
of whom nine are now living, namely: 
Ramona, now Mrs. Wickenden, and living 
at Tinaqnaic Rancho; Francisca, now Mrs. 
Goodchild, of San Luis Obispo city; Juana 
Maria, now the wife of Mr. Roth, at Ventura; 
Marie Antonio, now Mrs. Stone, at Los 
Alamos; Mathilda, now Mrs. Cartere of 
Santa Barbara; William Jose, at Los Alamos; 
Fred, at the same place; Thomas, at Tina- 
qnaic Kancho and John Charles, at San Luis 
Obispo. 

Mr. Foxen was granted by the Mexican 
government two leagues (8,888 acres) of fine 
land, called the Tinaqnaic Kancho, situated 
about fifty miles from Santa Barbara and 
near Los Alamos. He died February 19, 
1877. During the Mexican war he did 
much to assist General Fremont in his cam- 
paign, furnishing him with provisions, horses, 
etc., for which he received no return what- 
ever — an experience similar to that of other 
old settlers. He personally made the capture 
of Santa Barbara city a very easy matter for 
Fremont, guiding him from his ranch over 
the mountains by the old San Marcos trail 
instead of the beaten road, to the outskirts of 
the city, undiscovered, and while the Mexican 
troops were all at mass in the old mission 
early on Christmas morning. The American 
flag was floated in the center of the city and 
the place was captured then and there. Mr. 
Foxen was successful as a physician, although 
of course without special training. He was 
especially available in the relief of much suf- 
fering at points remote from the towns. At 
his death his property was divided equally 
among the children, some of whom are still 
residing at the old homestead. 

Charles Foxen, son of the preceding, was 
born in Santa Barbara, December 15, 1853, 



and was a resident of the old homestead until 
a few years ago. when, owing to the ill health 
of his wife, he moved to the city of San Luis 
Obispo. He was married in 1878 to Lenora 
Villa, and has six children. He is a gentle- 
man of modest and unassuming manner and 
is universally esteemed 



EORGE FREDERICK SATJER was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1886. 
He spent his boyhood and was educated 
at his home. In 1856 he came to New York 
city, remaining therefor two years. In 1858 
he journeyed to California, coming to San 
Luis Obispo. It was here that he met his 
future wife, and was married April 23, 1862. 
Four children were the result of this union, 
two of whom are now living, a son and daugh- 
ter. Mr. Saner was engaged in the bakery 
and grocery business, and made San Luis 
Obispo his home until his death which oc- 
curred July 31, 1873. He served as City 
Treasurer during the years 1865 and 1866 
The subject of this sketch was a man of the 
strictest integrity, and, as the proprietor of 
one of the earliest places of business in th<e 
city, occupies an important position in its 
history. 



«£****!♦ 



fP. LIMA was born in the Azores Islands 
September 12, 1835. In 1857 he came 
° to America, and after remaining in 
Boston, Massachusetts, a few weeks, he went 
before the mast, shipping to Charleston, 
South Carolina. A few months later, hear- 
ing of a good opportunity to ship to the 
Arctic ocean, Mr. Lima determined to go 
there, and for the period of three years and 
more was an inhabitant of the Arctic legions. 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



6G9 



Returning; to Massachusetts in 1860, lie made 
a short stay in ISlew Bedford, and shipped 
to Rio Janeiro, South America, returning to 
Massachusetts three months later. Appar- 
ently not satisfied with these expeditions, he 
determined to come to California, and in the 
latter part of 1860 arrived in San Francisco; 
proceeded at once to the mines and remained 
there for fifteen years. Meeting with indif- 
ferent success as a miner, Mr. Lima returned 
to his native country, the Azores, for a brief 
stay. Four months later he came back to 
California, settling in San Luis Obispo in 1875 
where he has remained up to the present date. 
He is proprietor of the Luzitania Hotel. 

Mr. Lima was married September 23, 
1877, and has four children. 



*&-*&* 



f IMOTHY CAYANAUGH was born in 
p Ireland in 1823, and went to Canada 
^ at the age of eight years. In 1845 he 
came to the United States and settled in Illi- 
nois. It was there he cast his first vote for 
President, and General Taylor was the man 
who received it. Mr. Cavanaugh remained 
in Illinois only three years. At the expira- 
tion of that time, like many others, he caught 
the gold fever. In 1850 he set out for Cali- 
fornia and at once sought the mines, where he 
remained, however, only six months. He 
then traveled around prospecting, and finally 
settled down in Santa Clara County, in July, 
1852, where for three years he was extensively 
enlaced in ranching. During this period Mr. 
Cavanaugh was married, and eleven children 
is the result of this union, ten of whom are 
now living. In 1883 Mr. Cavanaugh came 
to San Luis Obispo County, and, with the as- 
sistance of his sons, is operating a fine ranch 
of 1,000 acres, near the Santa Margarita 
station on the Southern Pacific Railroad. 



Mr. and Mrs. Cavanaugh are living in a very 
pleasant cottage near the railroad, — the 
eleventh house he has constructed during his 
life- time. 



f ra OHN McDONNELL 1 was born inTippe- 
rary, Ireland, in 1846, and at the age of 
sixteen years came to America, coming 
direct to San Francisco. He was first em- 
ployed in the commission business in the 
city, but very soon afterward went to the 
Santa Clara Valley and engaged in farming. 
For thirteen years he was engaged in that oc- 
cupation, a part of the time on his own account 
and a part of the time for P. W. Murphy. 
In 1879 Mr. McDonnell was employed on 
the famous Santa Margarita ranch, in San 
Luis Obispo County, the property of Mr. 
Murphy, and from that time has been the 
foreman. Under his charge this vast prop- 
erty, twelve miles square, is being success- 
fully and judiciously managed. As far as 
the eye can reach this beautiful piece of land 
extends, and every visitor to San Luis Obispo 
who has a day at his disposal, would miss 
much by not making the journey of only 
eleven miles to this ranch. Mr. McDonnell 
is unmarried. 

— >~Hi « in t ' 3i - 

DWIN P. BEAN was born in Corinth. 
Maine, May 1, 1844. He is the son of 
Reuben and Mary (Smith) Bean, both 
natives of New Hampshire and descended 
from early New England settlers and soldiers 
of the Revolution. Both are now deceased. 
They reared a family of twelve children, all 
of whom continue to make their homo in the 
East with the exception of the two brothers, 
Edwin P. and Reuben, who, together, came 



670 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



to California in 1862. These brothers have 
traveled and lived together ever since, in 
California and elsewhere, and their interests, 
business, social and otherwise, have always 
been identical. Before settling down in this 
State the brothers went to Virginia City, 
Nevada, and opened a lumbering business, 
owning saw-mills and operating them for a 
period of nine years. In 1871 they came to 
Hill's Ferry, California, and for three years 
were engaged in farming, and lateron turned 
their attention to raising sheep extensively. 
It was in 1878 when the brothers purchased 
a ranch in the Santa Margarita Valley, eight 
miles from the city of San Luis Obispo. From 
that time until 1889, they were extensively en- 
gaged in cattle-raising. In the latter year, 
the Southern Pacific Railway Company, hav- 
ing established a station at Santa Margarita, 
the brothers leased their ranch and opened a 
hotel at the railroad station, which they con- 
tinue to operate. The hotel is a commodious 
building, and as the town promises to be a 
thriving one in the future, this property of 
the Bean Brothers, which consists of seven 
acres, is a valuable one. 

Edwin was married in 1878 to Miss Re- 
becca Maud Sumner, a native of California. 
They are the parents of three children. This 
interesting family is so situated as to enjoy 
life, and their many friends always receive a 
hearty welcome in their pleasant home. 

~"§**Mf*i»~- 



I F. READY was born in Ireland in 
d 1844, and two years later was brought 
a by his parents to America. In 1853 
he set out to work for himself and went to 
Virginia, where he learned the trade of black- 
smithing. In this he was successful, and 
during the civil war he worked at his trade 
on the battle-field, shoeing horses for the 



Army of the Potomac. In 1865 Mr. Ready 
went to Omaha and worked on the Union 
Pacific Railroad until that road was com- 
pleted. He then, in 1867, came to Califor- 
nia and at once located in San Luis Obispu. 
Mr. Beady was employed in a blacksmith 
shop for five years after he settled in the city. 
After that time, and since the year 1872, he 
has been in charge of a shop himself. For 
some time he has been closely identified with 
the management of the city's affairs. In 
1882 he was elected to the City Council for 
a term of two years; in 1888 he was again 
elected, and was subsequently chosen as the 
President of the Board — the chief executive 
officer of the city. He has also served as 
Supervisor for a term of years. Mr. Ready 
is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Masons, 
Knights Templar and Knights of Pj'thias. 
He was married July 14, 1872, to Miss Mary 
Sorners, of Canada. Three children have 
been born to them. 

i - 1 -«+>pi^+4f<i.-g*i.-«o~- 

ITSAAC L. WILSON, son of James and 
J Nancy (Barlow) Wilson, was born October 
^ 6, 1844, in Madison County, Indiana. 
When young Wilson w r as four years old the 
family moved to Atchison County, Missouri, 
where the father engaged in farming. It was 
in that sparsely settled country that Isaac re- 
ceived a good common-school education and 
laid the foundation for a very valuable and 
useful life. In 1863 he started on a pros- 
pecting tour, traveling through many of the 
Western States, looking for a desirable spot 
to settle. In 1867 he engaged in the lumber 
business in Montana, was there four years, 
and then went to Washington Territory and 
Oregon, remaining in those places, however, 
but a short time. Los Angeles was the next 
objective point, and a year was spent in that 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



G71 



city. Daring that time Mr. Wilson worked 
at the carpenter's trade. Los Angelos then 
was not the Los Angeles of to-day, and the 
attractions there were not sufficient to keep 
him longer than a year. It was in 1873 that 
he first went to Santa Barbara, and it was 
then that he met his wife, Miss ^Frances 
Marti nes, to whom he was married October 
5, of the same year. By this marriage 
three children have been born, all now liv- 
ing. Two years were spent in Santa Bar- 
bara, and in April, 1875, Mr. and Mrs. AVil- 
son moved to San Luis Obispo, where they 
have since resided. In his business relations 
Mr. Wilson has always held a prominent po- 
sition in this community. As a contractor 
and carpenter he is unexcelled. There are 
few structures of any note in regard to which 
he has not been consulted. Mr. Wilson had 
in charge the alteration of the old mission 
tower in San Luis Obispo. In 1878 the 
tower was cracked and became dangerous. 
This necessitated the erection of a frame one. 
This work, and also the encasing of the entire 
structure of adobe with wood, Mr. Wilson 
successfully completed— a task not difficult of 
execution, but of a nature always of historical 
importance. Mr. Wilson is a member of the 
Odd Fellows, and also of the A. (). U. W. 
At various times he has held promient offices 
in these organizations. 

[EORGE T. GRAGG, son of Moses and 
Rebecca (Alden) Gragg, was born in 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, April 29, 
1829. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg, both now dead 
were Mew England people and reared a 
family of nine children. George T. received 
a good common-school education at his home 
and also learned the carpenter's trade. At 
the age of twenty, March 1, 1849, he re- 



solved to strike out West for himself, and on 
this date sailed for California, via Cape Horn, 
on the ship Sweden. He arrived at San 
Francisco August 3, and soon went into the 
mines, remaining there, however, only three 
months. Spending the winter in San Fran- 
cisco, working at the carpenter's trade, he 
tried the mines again in the spring, this time 
at Coloma on the south fork of the American 
River. Leaving this locality in the fall of 
the same year, he went prospecting, remain- 
ing at Bear River, near Illinois Town, for a 
short time and then going on the north fork 
of the American River, where deer and game 
of all kinds at this time were very abundant 
and could be shot almost without moving 
from the camp. In the fall of 1851 Mr. 
Gragg went into Mariposa County, remain- 
ing there until July, 1852. In all these 
places mentioned he was engaged, as was 
almost every one else, in mining, and with 
fair success. lie now decided to settle down 
in Santa Cruz, and did make that his home 
until 1880. For two years he was engaged 
in loading vessels, then worked at his trade 
for ten years, and later on was in the tan- 
ning business for a period. From 1867 to 
1880 he was engaged in the planing and 
lumber business with S. J. Lynch. During 
his life in this place Mr. Gragg naturally 
witnessed many changes in its growth and 
development. From a village of 300 inhab- 
itants it grew to be a city of 5,000 popula- 
tion in 1880. At one time he held the office 
of City Trustee in Santa Cruz, the board con- 
sisting of three members during his term of 
service. 

In 1880 Mr. Gragg moved to San Luis 
Obispo County, and since that, has made his 
home here. He is the owner of a fine ranch 
of 700 acres, near Port Harford, which he is 
devoting to stock-raising and farming. He 
also owns a pretty home in the city of San 



612 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Luis Obispo, at which place his family reside 
most of the year, the children receiving the 
benefit of the city schools. 

Mr. Gragg was married in 1868, at Santa 
Cruz, to Miss Ruth Root, and as a result of 
this union there are six children. Since his 
removal to this county, Mr. Gragg has 
thoroughly identified himself with its best 
interests. Pie has served as a member of the 
Board of Supervisors for the Fourth district 
for four years. During this term many 
needed reforms and improvements have been 
accomplished. It is a period that is, per- 
haps, conspicuous in that respect, in the 
history of that body. 



«^»+g«- 3nS »%>.■-»«• 

fOAQUIN" ESTRADA was born in Mon- 
terey, in 1819, and moved to San Luis 
Obispo in 1845. He first settled on the 
Santa Margarita ranch, a property which 
consisted of 15,000 acres, and which is now 
considered one of the very best ranches in 
the State. Mr. P. W. Murphy bought it in 
1860 for a trifling amount compared to its 
present valuation. After disposing of this 
property, Mr. Estrada purchased a ranch 
about two miles from the city of San Luis 
Obispo, and has continued to live there since 
that time. The property, a very pretty place 
of about 160 acres, is now known as " Es- 
trada Garden." 

Mr. Estrada has a distinct recollection of 
General Fremont's campaign in this part of 
the State during the Mexican war. It was 
during his ownership of the Santa Marga- 
rita ranch. General Fremont's troops were 
then stationed in various parts of this county, 
and at one time, being short of beef, they de- 
cided to help themselves to the fine cattle on 
the Santa Margarita ranch, which they did 
to the extent of thirty cows and 100 horses. 



The cattle were killed and for a time the 
Americans were well fed. Mr. Estrada states 
that to the best of his recollection he was 
never paid for the stock, neither did General 
Fremont offer any explanation in the matter. 
Mr. Estrada also remembers that this oc- 
curred while he was absent, and it was on 
his return that he missed his cattle. He was 
subsequently captured by the troops at vari- 
ous times, but was in each case released 
without serious injury. 

He was the first County Treasurer in this 
county, W. J. Graves being his deputy. He 
held this office two years. Was also Justice 
of the Peace, and for many years served as 
Supervisor. Of late he lias been living 
quietly at his ranch, the " Estrada Garden," 
a popular place for picnics, barbecues, etc. 
Many are the interesting stories this old pio- 
neer tells of his life on the Santa Margarita 
ranch. At one time a barbecue there lasted 
thirty days. He had a band and other at- 
tractions, and people came from all over the 
country. 

Mr. Estrada was married in early life. 



4w£« 



JjSRNEST GRAVES, a member of the 
■ffpL firm of Graves, Turner & Graves, at- 
^pl torneys at law, at San Luis Obispo, is a 
son of William J. and Soledad Pico, and was 
born in the old mission building adjoining 
the Catholic Church in the city of San Luis 
Obispo, December 5, 1852. At the age of 
eight years he was taken to San Francisco, as 
the family changed residence to that city, 
where his father was practicing law. He at- 
tended St. Ignatius College in that city, be- 
tween the years 1862 and 1864, and later the 
Santa Clara College; in 1871 he was in at- 
tendance at the State University at Berkeley, 
and then at an Oakland school. He studied 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



673 



law under the instructions of his father in 
San Francisco, afterward practiced with him 
there, and after his father's death he located 
in San Lnis Obispo city, his old home, where 
he has since resided. The law firm of which 
he is a member is well known in all parts of 
the State, as they have been parties in all im- 
portant litigation in this county for a num- 
ber of years, and generally with marked 
success. Among the most important cases 
were those of the wills of JBiddle, Logan, 
Herrera, Blackman, etc.; also the case of 
Schultz against McLean. Mr. Graves was 
City Attorney for three years, 1875-'77, the 
first three years of the corportate life of the 
city; and he was District Attorney 1880-'85. 
He was married March 27, 1878, to Miss 
Holloway, a native of California, and he has 
three children. 

— «h^kA* 

IAPTAIN HENRY A. SPERRY, a lead- 
ing citizen, agriculturist and stockman 
of San Luis Obispo County, is a native of 
Boston, Massachusetts. He was born De- 
cember 22, 1842, is a son of Henry Sperry, 
a successful real-estate dealer of that city, and 
a native of Vermont. The subject of this 
sketch spent his boyhood and youth in his 
native city, and received the advantages of a 
fair public schooling. He entered the war 
of the Rebellion in 1801, a member of the 
Thirtieth Massachusetts Infantry, Company 
D, as a sergeant. He was advanced through 
the various official grades with the rank of 
Captain of his original company, lie served 
nearly five years in the army, and was then 
sent South at the close of the war, to do Pro- 
vosUMarshal duty. 

His experience as a soldier was rather an 
unusual one, having engaged in so many 
battles at times under the hottest fire, yet 



never received a wound. After serving under 
General Butler in the army division of the 
South, he came north under General Phil. 
Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, when 
Early invaded the city of Washington. He 
was in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's 
Hill, and Cedar Creek, when Sheridan made 
his famous ride. After having been mus- 
tered out of the Government service, he, de- 
siring to see California, came to Stockton, 
where he remained about one year and then 
went to San Francisco, from 1868 to 1872, 
where he engaged in mercandising. In 1872 
he came to San Luis Obispo County, leased 
a sheep ranch of Ziba Branch, Esq., one of 
the wealthiest and most successful old settlers 
of the county. This business venture proved 
a success, and in 1875 he wedded Miss Louise, 
one of the accomplished daughters of Mr. 
Branch. The wife died in 1879, and her two 
children, Henry Scott and Elsie, died later. 
Mr. Sperry married for a second wife Mary 
Woods, daughter of Mr. C. H. Phillips, a 
prominent and influential citizen of San Luis 
Obispo, and the results of this union is three 
sons and one daughter. Mr. Sperry is a 
stanch Republican, a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, and a leader in 
the Harper Post, G. A. R., of Arroyo Grande. 



ggS FERNANDEZ was born in San Luis 
Y|3L Obispo County, February 12, 1855, 
or^ and is one of a family of ten children, 
seven sons and three daughters. Tlie family 
ranch is located on the line of the city limits, 
and there Mr. Fernandez has spent the whole 
of his life. At present he holds an impor- 
tant position as agent for a San Francisco 
meat and produce establishment, and has in 
charge the baying and selling of cattle, for 
them, lie is also engaged on the ranch and 



674 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



in various other enterprises. Mr. Fernandez 
is personally a very popular man in the city 
and well known throughout the county. He 
was married in 1881, and has five children. 



lol iM»— *-3<-tg-»— j«<li n il 

K ON. CHARLES FERNALD. — Con- 
spicuous among the homes of the Chan- 
nel City is that of the Hon. Charles 
Fernald, perhaps the most widely known as 
well as the oldest New England resident of 
Santa Barbara. An entire city block is de- 
devoted to the culture of fruit and forest 
trees, upon a slight elevation in the midst of 
which stands the dwelling. The exterior is a 
true indication of the hospitable home within, 
for the Judge and his family unite to the 
simplicity and character of social life in New 
England, the genial hospitality and grace of 
the sunny South. 

Judge Fernald traces his lineage to one of 
the oldest stocks of American progenitors, 
being a direct descendent from Dr. Renald 
Fernald, who came from England to New 
Hampshire with Captain John Mason's com- 
pany, in 1631, and settled in Piscataqua in 
that year. The Doctor had the distinguished 
honor of being the first surgeon who settled 
in New Hampshire, where the family has 
continued for more than two centuries. 

In 1640 appears the name of Renald Fer- 
nald as one of the grantors of fifty acres of 
glebe lands settled by the government and 
inhabitants of the Piscataqua Rivers to the 
church wardens for the advancement of the 
cause of religion. The city of Portsmouth 
has since been built upon the site of this 
grant. With this city the name of Fernald 
has been deservedly connected to the pres- 
ent day. 

Dr. Renald Fernald and is brother Thomas 
Fernald, who came from England with him, 



became proprietors of the island, or the 
northeast shore of the Piscataqua River, 
and their descendants held the same for a 
century and a half, until John Fernald, Jr., 
of Middleton, New Hampshire, conveyed 
away the middle one, known as the '< Lay 
Claim Island, " and also as Fernald's Island, 
which afterwards on June 15, 1806, passed 
into the ownership of the United States and 
is now the site of Fort Sullivan in the Ports- 
mouth or Kittery navy yard. 

The Fernalds have ever been a braveand 
loyal race. In 1776 Mark and Gilbert Fer- 
nald appended their signatures to the solemn 
engagement, to oppose the hostile proceed- 
ings of the British fleets and armies against 
the United American Colonies, and Hercules, 
or Archelaus Fernald, as he was sometimes 
called, the grandfather of our present sub- 
ject, then only twenty-seven years of age, 
and a resident of Kittery, York County, 
Maine, enlisted in the Continental army in 
the regiment of Colonel Francis, when he 
marched to the Heights of Dorchester near 
Boston and engaged in the defense of his 
country. He afterward did much other pa- 
triotic service. 

The subject of our present sketch, Judge 
Charles Fernald, was born at North Berwick, 
County of York, State of Maine, on May 27, 
1830. After completing the preparatory 
studies for college under the tuition of Pro- 
fessor Harrison Carroll Hobart, at the ao-e of 
eighteen he joined that band of hardy and 
brave youth sent forth by New England to 
California, arriving at San Francisco June 
14, 1849, being one of the Argonauts to pass 
through the Golden Gate in that memorable 
year, — which honor the Judge still preserves 
by a life membership in the California 
Pioneers' Society. After a few months spent 
in the mines he returned to San Francisco in 
November 1849, and was engaged in editorial 



AND VENTURA COUNTIES. 



675 



work and law reporting until May 1852, 
being upon the staff of the Morning Post and 
Alta, the two leading journals of that day. 
During the time of his residence in San 
Francisco, he pursued his law studies with 
steadfast ardor, although interrupted greatly 
by the tire of May 4, 1851, which blotted out 
the city and for a brief period checked busi- 
ness pursuits. On May 4, 1852, a conflagra- 
tion again destroyed the growing city and 
swept away his entire library, which he had 
accumulated in the meantime. This second 
disaster seemed to have changed his deter- 
mination to remain longer on this coast, and 
he resolved to return to Boston. Having 
many friends and acquaintances in Southern 
California, the Judcre resolved to visit them 
on his way home, stopping at Santa Barbara 
and at Los Angeles, intending to take the 
Panama steamer at San Diego where it then 
touched. On June 30, 1852, he arrived at 
Santa Barbara, where he met his friends, Ed- 
ward Sherman Hoar and Augustus F. Hinch- 
man, who were among the leading lawyers 
and citizens of what was then an old and 
respectable Spanish settlement. 

At this period the law-abiding citizens of 
Santa Barbara were carrying on a vigorous 
campaign against an organized set of bandits 
who, disregarding all laws, had so terrorized 
the peaceful residents that their lives were a 
daily burden. They had compelled the offi- 
cers of the law in the county to resign their 
trusts, and anarchy and terrorism ruled 
supreme. At a public meeting of the lead- 
ing citizens of the town it was resolved to 
make a firm and determined effort to re-estab- 
lish order, and they invited Judge Fernald, 
then a young man of twenty-two, to remain 
and assist in the good work, desiring him to 
accept the office of County Judge. He was 
not a man to decline a public duty thus im- 
posed upon him, and finally consented to re- 



main. Upon the application of the leading 
citizens of Santa Barbara, Governor John 
Bigler, on March 14, 1853, appointed him 
Judge of Santa Barbara County. To this 
place he was elected September 5, 1853, and 
re-elected in 1857. At these elections the 
Judge was the unanimous choice of the citi- 
zens of the county, only a few votes being 
cast against him. Among his first official acts 
was the appointment of Russel Heath to the 
office of district attorney, with a strong and 
efficient corps of county officers throughout 
to take the places of those who had resigned. 
To these the people gave loyal support and 
the county government was successfully 
reorganized, and so strictly and impartially 
were the laws enforced under the new regime. 
that no public disorder or resistance to the 
laws was attempted for many years, notwith- 
standing many " bravos," outlaws and des- 
perados were at large in some of the adjoin- 
ing counties. 

On January 7, 1860, by a joint resolution 
of the Senate and Assembly, Judge Fernald 
was granted five months' leave of absence 
from the state, in order to transact some very 
important business and visit his old home in 
the East. 

The Judge spent six months in Massachu- 
setts and in the East. On his return he was 
again elected County Judge, in 1861. In 
1862 he again visited his old home in New 
England, and returned in October of that 
year accompanied with his bride, who was 
Miss EL. H. Hobbs, of North Berwick, 
Maine, ever since and now the universally 
esteemed and honored wife who has so well 
aided in making an ideal home in Santa 
Barbara. 

In 1862 the Judge resigned his office on 
account of the inadequacy of the salary, and 
entered upon the active practice of his pro- 
fession in Santa Barbara and throughout 



676 



SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO 



Southern California, where he has continued 
his practice with signal success up to the 
present time. He was admitted to the bar 
by the Supreme Court of this State on Sep- 
tember 2, 1854, and the Circuit Court of the 
United States for the District of California, 
September 2, 1857, and to the Supreme Court 
of the United States at the October term, 1874. 
He was appointed Judge Advocate of the 
Fourth Division of the California Militia, 
April 26, 1854, by Governor John Bigler. 

Judge Fernald was almost unanimously 
elected Mayor of the city of Santa Barbara 
in May, 1882, and held the office for two 
years, to the great satisfaction of the citizens 
and honor to himself, declining to accept any 
salary, provided by city charter, for his 
services as such. 

For more than thirty years Judge Fernald 
has been identified with all the important 
litigation of this and adjoining counties, and 
throughout Southern California, and has 
numbered among his clients the most dis- 
tinguished citizens as well as the largest 
non-resident land-owners; and during that 
long period has maintained his great reputa- 
tion in his profession for fidelity and signal 
ability. He is said never to have lost a land 
case. 

Nearly all the great land-owners, includ- 
ing John C. Jones, late of Boston, Massachu- 
setts; Colonel Thomas A. Scott, T Wallace 
More, Henry M. Newhall, Dr. Nicholas A. 
Den, Thomas B. Dibblee, Dr. J. B. Shaw, 
Ellwood Cooper, Lazard Frerei, the Pacific 
Coast Steamship Company, and the Southern 
Pacific Railway Company were numbered 
among his clients. He has never been iden- 
tified in any way with any doubtful or ques- 
tionable litigation, refusing retainers in in- 
equitable cases as well as declining criminal 
practice. 

He is strong physically and morally, alert, 



an acute observer, and possesses the great and 
natural advantage of a good memory of facts 
and occurrences at a trial, as well as tireless 
industry. 

His services to this city in finally settling 
the title to and fixing the boundaries of its 
municipal lands, as successor to the ancient 
Pueblo of Santa Barbara, by obtaining a patent 
therefor (four square leagues) from the 
United States Land Department, the first 
patent ever issued to a pueblo in this State, 
were of great value to this city and its inhab- 
itants. 

Fortune has smiled on the Judge's profes- 
sional career, and bestowed upon his exertions 
ample pecuniary rewards. He is now an ex- 
tensive land-owner in Santa Barbara and its 
vicinity, and a stockholder in many of its 
leading corporations. The Fernald Block, in 
which his elegant offices are located, is a 
striking ornament on State Street, situated in 
the heart of its business center. He has 
ever been one of the foremost in all local 
enterprises for the improvement of the city, 
and he has contributed in no small degree to 
its business prosperity. 

There is perhaps no citizen of Santa Bar- 
bara more widely known and respected than 
Judge Fernald. He is deeply read in an- 
cient and modern history, in English, French 
and Italian literature, and familiar with the 
principles of the civil as well as the common 
law; also a close student of international 
law and the science of government. 

He has ever taken a deep interest in fruit 
culture and in forestry, being a life member 
of the American Forestry Association. The 
first experiment in planting, and in the cultiva 
tion of the olive tree in Southern California, 
outside of the old missions, was made by 
him. As early as 1865-'66, and long prior 
to the greater and more successful experi- 
ment of Mr. Ellwood Cooper, he purchased 



AM) VENTURA tOUNTIER. 



the " Belmont property," about seventy-five 
acres of land, near the city of Santa Barbara, 
and planted it out in olives of the mission 
variety, for the purpose of establishing the 
fact that the soil and climate of Southern 
California was alike favorable for the produc- 
tion of olives for preserving and for making 
oil of the best quality. 



f A. BARKER.— In travelingeastof Santa 
Paula a mile and turning to the south 
° a quarter of a mile, one comes upon the 
lovely sequestered spot, under the spreading 
oaks, and numerous shade and fruit trees of 
the owner's own planting — the cosy home of 
the pioneer, J. A. Barker. The house is 
nearly hidden from view by the endless va- 
riety of fruit and other trees that surround 
it. The first intimation of life on the ranch 
is the friendly greeting of the harmless old 
house dogs, which by their wag and twist 
seem to say, " We are glad you have come." 
Next, the visitor is met and taken by the 
hand by the pioneer himself, who, in his frank 
and hospitable manner, invites his guest in 
and makes him feel at home. 

Mr. Barker was born in Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, December 3, 1833. lie is a son of 
John Barker, a native of Kentucky, born in 
1802, and a grandson of Stephen Barker, also 
a native of the " Blue Gra^s State." Both 
Mr. Barker's mother, nee Mary Asheroff, 
and her father, James Asherhoff. are Kentuck- 
ians by birth. The subject of this sketch is 
the youngest of a family of ten children, only 



four of whom are now living. He was edu- 
cated in Missouri and lived on a farm there 
until twenty years of age. In 1853 he came 
to the Golden State, in search of its rich 
treasures. For six years he mined in JMevada 
County, with good success, his average per 
day being from $7 to $14. He came out of 
the mines with what to him seemed satisfac- 
tory results. He makes the statement that 
he has seen a piece of quartz rock seventy-six 
pounds in weight, that contained $8,250 in 
gold. After leaving the mines he engHo-ed 
in freighting, and received $35 per thousand 
for drawing lumber seventeen miles. There 
were very few settlers in this part of tho 
county when Mr. Barker came here in 1869- 
Mr. J. Crane, Judge Wasou and Mr. Georo-e 
M. Richardson were here, and soon other 
settlers came and the work of development 
was pushed forward. Mr. Barker took up a 
Government claim of 160 acres, which he has 
improved, and where he has been eno-ao-ed in 
general farming, raising corn, barley, beans, 
horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. Barker is only 
one of the many who have come here and 
have made for themselves and families beau- 
tiful homes in this sunny clime. 

He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah 
Lee, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Joseph 
Lee, who was born in Massachusetts. They 
have had a family of eight children, six of 
whom are living: James, Benton, Mary Ella, 
Sarah Isabel, John Wesley and Ilattie. Sev- 
eral of the children are married and live near 
him. Mr. Barker's political views are Demo- 
cratic. He and his wife are members of the 
Baptist Church. 



